It is our state law that the flags can not be removed by ANYONE for the duration of the valid mark out. I then called the number on this power box thing that is located on my front yard.. but I don't exactly know who I called it just said "before digging call ###-###-####" so I called them, and they also couldn't tell me who put the flags there or whether I can or cannot remove them. Generally speaking, you should not remove utility flags from your yard because they are meant to avoid disturbances, damage to utility lines, ensure safety during any repairs to utility lines. Proper attention to pipe that has been exposed will prevent problems later. Antioxidants Get answers directly from our subject matter experts.Never report a natural gas leak online. Give the utility flag company a call first to inquire about their presence, and whether or not it's safe to remove them. If you are unable to gather the information from the state 811, you can simply refer to the color of the flag. Also, most flags bear the name of the company that placed them, so you should be able to see the contact information. When someone is going to dig up the ground for any reason, they are required to locate utilities first. Neighbors Keep on Putting Trash in My Garbage Can: What to Do? However, waking up to utility flags scattered across your lawn and someone digging in your yard is another story entirely. In some, they are valid for only two weeks especially if you havent observed any activity. Do not remove the flags, stakes or paint marks until you have finished . Tennessee law imposes civil penalties up to $1,000 in addition to actual damages, including repair and lost gas, if someone damages underground utilities without calling first. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. That way, contractors will not dig it up. Why are Suriname, Belize, and Guinea-Bissau classified as "Small Island Developing States"? What is utility easement anyway? When you see flags, you not only tend to question what it is and what purpose it serves but also what the different colors are. Thanks for the insight - I'll leave all the flags where they are and hope they're gone in time for spring cleanup around the yard. For instance, she may place marks at the northeast and southwest corners of a piece of land to . nitrosomonas converts One thing to note is that utility companies do have the right to come onto your property, even without permission. Doing so could result in fines. In instances where youve seen the flag on your yard for 14 days without someone doing any work, you can remove them. Mr. Holder has over 15 years of subsurface utility engineering and utility locating experience on various engineering and construction phase projects across a variety of market sectors including DOT / Highway, Pharmaceutical, Energy, and Commercial / Industrial properties. If youre unsure, a more helpful way to deal with this is to call 811. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Privacy Policy | Powered by UtilitySmarts. Doing so could result in fines. I deal with the stupid flags all the time. After a few passes, something catches my eye: a wire staff flag which was laying in the lawn, managed to implant itself in the sidewall of the back right tire of my VRide! You may also see a marking in the street or near a pole or structure with an arrow that says Call 811, Miss Utility, One Call, Dig Safe, UFPO, etc. The other reason why there are flags on your lawn is that there is a bigger excavation project planned in your area. Please refer to our full affiliate disclosure policy for full details. A utility company can dig in your yard without permission. Digging on a spot without knowing beforehand the location of underground utility lines can be risky. This will result in everyday inconveniences that can affect not only you but also other people in the community. They mark these existing utilities with painted lines and flags to help our crew determine where they'll bury the new cable. The yellow flag marking indicates oil, gas, steam, petroleum, and gaseous materials utility lines. Green flags are put up to mark drain lines and sewers. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. In most cases, you will be given compensation. You still get to retain the title and you are the owner but someone who owns easement to your property has the right to use your property. Replace flags in original position. you can plug sidewalls. Not only does the utility company have the right to use a strip of land for the lines, but they will also enter your property if repair and maintenance is needed. The hidden costs of underground utility damage. How 811 works. Some may notify you ahead of time, while most companies wont. Each utility company will send a locator to your property within a few days of your call to 811. I've got 2 properties that are peppered with these flags. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. ALWAYS LEAVE IMMEDIATELY then. For orange flags, you could try to call your telephone or Cable TV company. 7x14 Stealth SE Enclosed with 48" side ramp. The quick answer is yes, you can. Its expected of a property owner to be bothered by the sight of colorful flags in their yard. ; Orange Telecommunication systems, alarm and signal lines, as well as cables or conduits. At Utility Locator, our company uses our own flag (see example) to delineate the lines we have marked out. I can just imagine the neighbors questioning what we're doing to the yard. The red flag utility marking is probably one of the most important ones that should be tampered with for any reason. The colors of the flags and their symbolism are listed below: A white flag, which usually has a shovel symbol, indicates a proposed excavation. And a damaged gas line can cause soil contamination and even explosion. juan.betancourt@dentonrc.com, Beth Maries has churned up a new flavor, North of Ordinary, to represent Denton, By John Fields ; Yellow Lines used for natural gas, oil, steam, petroleum, as well as other gaseous or flammable materials. These flags aside, the color comes with symbols. If you are unable to gather the information from the state 811, you can simply refer to the color of the flag. The markings are valid per their rules for 30 days. Last month a dozen utility flags appeared on my front lawn, my neighbors front lawn and along our property line. Utility flags are placed to prevent any disturbances or accidents in the area as utility work is being carried out. This repair in such situations involves sections of the utility line that pass through your yard. Is it Illegal to Remove Utility Flags? A perfect example of a utility easement is when the power company is allowed to install electrical lines and erect utility poles to support them. It's not a slalom course, just don't mow the block the are demarcating. Refresh Marks requests can only be submitted for excavation projects that were started within 14 calendar days of the initial locate requests. While you cant really prevent a utility company from coming on your property, its good to know what theyre doing when they are there. There is typically only a few reasons these types of little colored flags will appear in your yard or lawn. Sewer lines need to be preserved if there are in-ground projects. While an easement does give right to the utility company to use or access your land, they do not own it. They were here today.They marked with both spraypaint and flags. Be mindful of these flags; you may not like seeing green flags on your yard but dont consider removing them. These projects involve underground facilities that need to be protected. Utility flags are meant to protect these utility lines when future homeowners or landscapers plan on digging. custom marker flags It could be that individuals or companies calling in the dig request cant provide the exact location to mark. As a result, they will give an estimate, which includes your property. When they dig the holes do their work and leave. one of them has like 10 plugs crammed into the same big hole. There was an error processing your request. The colored flags in your yard each have a meaning. The question of legality and the right to remove utility flags from your lawn or property can be tricky. The other reason why there are flags on your lawn is that there is a bigger excavation project planned in your area. You may panic as someone just came to your property to put up the marking flags. Insight Denton: Whose responsibility is it to remove those little utility flags and when? (Is This Illegal to Do? Staff Writer (Do This Before Digging), utility companies do have the right to come onto your property, even without permission, the utility company is going to start digging up your yard. This color is used for communication systems, TV cables and alarm lines. The removal usually happens when the job is done. This gives utility companies the legal right to be on your property to fix any broken lines or install new utility lines, even if it means making changes to your yard. If this happens, do not plant the flags to the ground as you may not know where they were exactly located. (The Official Answer)Continue, Seeing furniture on the side of the street is common and sometimes even a little exciting if youre looking, Read More Is It Illegal to Leave Furniture on the Street? Do Butterflies Like Hibiscus? Other states place a validity of the flags for 30 calendar days. Here's a key to the utility colors: It's crucial to preserve and maintain the location of flags and paint. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. More people now want to invest, Read More Can I Have a Shipping Container in My Backyard Legally?Continue, A pergola is a great way to add some extra shade to your yard or garden, and it can, Read More Can a Pergola Have a Solid Roof? The purple flag indicates Reclaimed water lines, irrigation lines, and slurry lines. Its even more frustrating to see people come to your yard and put up flags without permission. Unfortunately no. But when I called 811 they directed me to the seller's listing agent before the home was sold, and she was at a loss as to what to tell me and told me to just remove them. In most cases, you find flags in your yard on the occasion of a repair or maintenance going on in your neighborhood. (Highly Deer Resistant). Water gas phone sewer.They flag the entire 1/4 mile rd frontage to work in 1 little stop grrrrr. 175. Wholesale Work Gloves Invalid password or account does not exist. 3. This allows utilities to come out and mark their buried lines before the project begins. The Neighbor's Yard Smells Like Dog Pee and Poop: What To Do? Staff Writer And at highway speeds, that is dangerous. You have the right to file a complaint if damages were done to your property while utility companies were doing their work on your yard. If you have blue flags, you can call the water company, and so on.

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can i remove utility flags in my yard