VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – As warmer weather draws customers outdoors for spring projects, Virginia Natural Gas reminds homeowners, contractors and professional excavators to call 811 before digging. April is National Safe Digging Month and calling 811 helps protect people, property and the underground fuel infrastructure that serves communities.
Before starting projects like installing a fence or mailbox, planting trees or putting in a pool, customers should always Dig with C.A.R.E.:
Call before you dig. Contact 811 or visit VA811.com at least three business days before digging, excluding the day of the notice. Requests should be placed no more than 10 days prior to excavation.
Allow time for marking. Utility companies will mark the approximate location of underground lines using color-coded paint, flags or stakes. Yellow markings indicate natural gas lines.
Respect the marks. Use hand tools only when digging near marked utility lines.
Excavate carefully. Keep markings visible throughout the project. If marks are disturbed or fade, contact 811 to request a re-mark. If a natural gas line is damaged or you smell the distinctive rotten-egg odor, leave the area immediately and call 911 and Virginia Natural Gas from a safe location.
Contacting VA811 is free and required by Virginia law. There is no charge to have underground utility lines marked and the call helps reduce injuries, service interruptions and costly property damage.
Customer pre-marking required
Before submitting a locate request, customers must pre-mark the area of proposed excavation using white paint, flags, chalk or approved electronic white lining options when available. In some cases, a clear and precise verbal description of the excavation area may be accepted.
For more information about natural gas safety and safe digging practices, visit virginianaturalgas.com/safety or VA811.com.
