The Importance of Marking Underground Utilities : Klumm Bros.

The Importance of Marking Underground Utilities

January 11, 2019

When you plan an excavation or digging project, you don’t want to waste any time. Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners end up with a much lengthier and more expensive project when they cut corners, especially when it comes to utility location and marking. Before you hire excavation contractors in Toledo, OH to begin working on your property, it’s essential to take the proper steps to identify underground utilities to prevent damage and avoid costly repairs and fines.

Underground utilities

While most people don’t spend much time thinking about how electricity, water, gas and other utilities actually reach their homes, the reality is that utility lines and connections are all around us, especially on residential properties. Sewer lines, water connections, internet cables, gas lines and telephone lines are all run underground and, depending on the property, all of these wires and lines may be concentrated in a relatively small area. Utility lines are typically buried just a few feet underground, so there isn’t a lot of room to work with during an excavation or digging project.

Why utility marking is so important

Many underground utility lines have high voltage electricity running through them, so interfering with them when you’re digging may cause injury to you or the people who are working on your site. Excavating equipment and digging tools are typically made of metal components, which can be strong conductors of electricity, increasing the risk of electrocution.

In addition to the health and safety risks associated with excavating near underground utility lines, you also have to consider the potential cost and property damage. If you accidentally cut a power line, sewer line or other underground utility during your digging or excavation, you will have to pay for costly repairs to get the lines up and running again. In the meantime, you and, in some cases, your neighbors will have to go without essential utilities. Dealing with this inconvenience and hassle can be stressful, not to mention the fact that it can stir up resentment among your neighbors.

For all of these reasons, it’s essential that utilities are marked and identified effectively. Before you hire excavation contractors in Toledo, OH, reach out to the Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) and inform them of your planned project so that they can help provide you with the information you need to avoid utility damage. You should observe any physical markings that indicate underground utilities and plan your project around these things. Most importantly, hire an experienced professional for your job who can offer reliable, safe and certified service.

Contact our excavation contractors in Toledo, OH

If you’re preparing for an upcoming digging or excavation project, contact Klumm Bros. today for professional assistance from our excavation contractors in Toledo, OH. For decades, our professional and experienced team has taken on residential, industrial and commercial excavation and demolition projects of all sizes and scopes. No matter what the specifics of your project may be, our team would be happy to help meet your needs. Give us a call today to learn more about everything that our team has to offer and get a free service quote.

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