Whether you’re dealing with plumbing problems or need to dig for any other residential or commercial reason, call 811 first. Each state uses the number so utility professionals can mark underground pipeline locations for free. Call at least three days before your digging project begins, whether it involves a swimming pool, sprinkler system, well, septic tank, fence, water line, or anything else requiring soil movement.

Why Should You Always Call 811 Before a Digging Project?

1. Prevent Gas Leaks

Calling your local 811 number to identify gas line locations prevents you and any workers from striking the lines and causing leaks. Gas leaks cause a variety of physical symptoms, including dizziness, headaches, eye and throat irritation, nausea, breathing problems, and fatigue. Prolonged exposure will risk your life and the lives of those around you. Avoid health dangers from gas leaks by calling 811, and educate yourself on the signs of a leak, including hissing sounds, dead vegetation, and rotten egg odors.

2. Sidestep Repair Costs

If you dig without 811 assistance, then there’s a potential you could strike gas lines, plumbing pipes, and water lines among additional buried utilities. Take the proactive route with line marking services, rather than dealing with expensive plumbing problems and other costly repairs because of pipe and line damage. This will help keep your project costs reasonable.

3. Avoid Power Outages & Phone Line Issues

Buried utilities can include grounded electrical and telecommunications lines that keep unsightly utility towers out of neighborhoods. Hitting these grounded utilities can cause power and phone line outages at your home, if not the entire block, resulting in expensive repairs as well as disgruntled neighbors with outage-related issues. Using the 811 service provides peace of mind because you won’t make contact with surrounding utilities and have to deal with the repercussions.

Stay smart about digging and solve plumbing problems with help from Ray’s Heating, Plumbing, Electric in Salmon, ID. For over 45 years, this family-owned company continues to serve Lemhi, Custer, and the surrounding counties. Their team provides plumbing repairs, boiler repairs, electrical services, and more. Call (208) 756-3649 today to fix your plumbing problems, or visit their website for more information about emergency, residential, industrial, and commercial services.