You might think a small outdoor DIY project is harmless. Planting a tree. Building a fence. Adding landscaping. Fixing a mailbox post. But anytime you put a shovel in the ground can cause a big—and dangerous—problem if you don’t know what’s buried below. That’s because critical utility lines run underground, carrying electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, Internet, fiber optics, communications, and more. If you accidentally strike one, you can knock out service to your home or the entire neighborhood. Worse yet, you can cause costly property damage or suffer a serious injury.
The good news? Avoiding these risks is simple. And FREE for you to do!
If you’re planning a major outdoor improvement, you probably already know you need to be cautious. And one of the first steps you need to take is to have underground utility lines on your property marked so you can stay away from them. All of these tasks involve digging, therefore they require you contact JULIE first to submit a locate request:
putting together a swing set or play set
adding a fountain
creating a water feature
Hiring a contractor instead? The rule still applies. Contractors are legally required to notify JULIE at least three days before starting projects for you like:
installing a swimming pool
digging a pond
building a room addition
constructing a shed
If it involves digging, it demands contacting JULIE. Every project, every time. And remember, JULIE is a FREE service.
While you might understand the importance of having utility lines on your property marked before undertaking a major DIY project, many homeowners are surprised to learn that utility lines can lie just a few inches below the surface. That means even smaller activities necessitate a locate request, including:
updating landscaping
replacing old shrubs or adding new ones putting up a sign or event tent
Even if you’ve dug in the same spot before, never assume it’s safe. Utility lines can shift over time due to environmental factors such as root growth, soil erosion, water levels, and other changes to ground conditions. That’s why Illinois law requires you to contact JULIE for every digging project—regardless of size, depth or location.
Contacting JULIE Is Fast, Easy, and FreeHere’s how it works:
Pre-mark the area where you plan to dig
Submit a FREE locate request to JULIE at least three days before you plan to start your outdoor project. Or make sure your contractor has done so.
Utility companies (never JULIE employees) will come out and mark the approximate location of their underground lines on your property.
It’s that easy. It doesn’t cost you anything. It only takes a few minutes. And it could prevent thousands of dollars in damage or a life-threatening accident.
Having underground utility lines marked is about safety, but it’s also the law. So anytime you undertake an outdoor activity where you’ll be breaking ground—whether the project is big or small—you must contact JULIE before you dig. Your family and neighbors will thank you for it.
Verify ticket responses before digging!