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Glossary

Call Before You Dig

What is Call Before You Dig?

Call before you dig is the safety practice of notifying utility locators (via 811 in the US) before any excavation so buried lines are marked, preventing dangerous and costly utility strikes.

Call before you dig is the industry mandate to request utility locates before breaking ground. In the United States the single point of contact is 811, which relays the request to affected utility owners so they can mark their lines. The practice is a legal requirement in most jurisdictions, not just a courtesy.

Once utilities are marked, crews verify the exact location and depth by potholing or daylighting with hydro excavation, the safest way to dig near marked lines. Vac4Rent connects renters with hydrovac and vacuum excavation equipment for that non-destructive verification work.

Guides that cover Call Before You Dig

Related terms

811Utility LocatingNon-Destructive DiggingPotholing

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Call Before You Dig: common questions

What is Call Before You Dig?+

Call before you dig is the safety practice of notifying utility locators (via 811 in the US) before any excavation so buried lines are marked, preventing dangerous and costly utility strikes.

How far in advance do I need to call 811 before digging?+

The required notice period is set by each state's one-call law, and it is usually counted in business days, not calendar days. Weekends and holidays often do not count, so a Friday call may not clear a Monday dig. Check your state one-call center for the exact lead time, how long a locate ticket stays valid, and when a ticket must be renewed on longer jobs.

Do I still need an 811 locate request if I am only using hydro excavation?+

Generally, yes. Hydro excavation and air vacuum excavation are still excavation under most state one-call laws, so a locate request is typically required before the work starts. Vacuum excavation is a recommended way to dig near marked lines, but it does not replace the ticket. Wait for the locate marks or positive responses from utility owners before you begin, and confirm your state's specific rules.

What do the different paint colors from a utility locate mean?+

Locators in the US generally follow the APWA uniform color code. Red marks electric power lines, yellow marks gas, oil, and steam, orange marks communications and cable, blue marks potable water, green marks sewer and drain lines, and purple marks reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines. Pink is used for temporary survey marks, and white outlines the proposed excavation area, which some states require the excavator to mark before calling.