Yeah, it’s really that easy to mess up. I’ve seen folks hit gas lines and cable before—never pretty. Here’s the deal:
- The “call before you dig” thing isn’t just a suggestion. They’ll send someone out for free to mark everything, usually within a couple days.
- Not all lines are buried deep. Sometimes water or electric is just a foot or so down, especially in older neighborhoods.
- Even if you’re just trenching for drainage, you can still run into stuff you don’t expect.
Honestly, it’s not overthinking. One wrong move and you could be dealing with a busted pipe or worse... a live wire. Worth the extra step for peace of mind.
I get where you’re coming from, but sometimes the “call before you dig” thing isn’t as foolproof as it sounds. I’ve seen situations where the markings were off by a foot or more, especially with older properties where records aren’t great. Not saying you shouldn’t call—definitely do—but I’d still go slow and maybe even hand dig in spots just to be sure. It’s wild how shallow some of those lines can be, too... found an old irrigation pipe barely under the grass once. Just feels like there’s always something unexpected underground.
Yeah, I’ve run into the same thing with those markings being off, especially on my 1960s place. Last year I was digging for a French drain and hit what turned out to be an old clay sewer line—wasn’t on any map. Makes you wonder what else is lurking down there... honestly, I don’t trust anything except my own shovel sometimes. You’re right about hand digging in sketchy spots. Better safe than flooding the basement or worse.
honestly, I don’t trust anything except my own shovel sometimes.
That’s the truth. I’ve seen “official” utility maps that might as well be treasure maps for all the good they do. Once found a capped-off gas line about two feet from where it was supposed to be—nearly gave me a heart attack. Ever run into any weird stuff like buried tanks or random concrete slabs? Sometimes I wonder if half these old yards are just patchwork mysteries waiting to be uncovered.
You’re not wrong—maps are a joke half the time. I’ve dug up everything from old septic lids to what looked like a car axle once, just sitting there under the turf. Ever hit one of those mystery pipes that’s capped on both ends? Makes you wonder what else is lurking down there...
