Everything You Need to Know Before Digging on Your Property
When you buy something, you can do whatever you want with it – within reason. When it comes to our property, we might assume that “within reason” usually covers anything that doesn’t affect someone else’s property or safety, so when you get the urge to dig in the dirt, it’s no one’s business but ours. But whether you’re planting a garden , trying to remember where you buried your bailout money, or starting an impressive landscaping project , you shouldn’t just run out there and start digging. And according to the law it is impossible . The reasons you should think twice before digging on your property go beyond local laws and relate to your health, safety and insurance premiums.
It’s harder than you think
First of all, digging is very hard physical work. Sure, TV shows make it seem like digging a 6×6 hole in the ground to hide bodies is something one person can do in a few sweaty hours, but the reality is quite different. Digging is a workout, just like shoveling snow; in fact, digging a hole in your yard can be even more challenging than shoveling snow, because your yard isn’t just a big cube of uniform dirt. It’s riddled with roots, rocks, and man-made infrastructure (more on that below), meaning you’ll likely encounter more than just mud. You should learn proper digging techniques , as well as ensure that you drink enough fluids, wear protective equipment (such as gloves and a breathing mask), and protect yourself from direct sunlight while working.
You probably need permission
Laws vary from region to region, but chances are you’ll need to get a permit before you dig, even if you’re digging on your own property. Most local governments require excavation permits for the same reasons they require permits for many other projects. The permitting process not only alerts local authorities that you are doing work that could impact the rest of the community, but it also starts a verification process that ensures you have completed the work to the correct standards.
Communication lines
However, one of the main reasons why you shouldn’t just dig on your property is underground utilities. Gas lines, water lines, and even electrical lines can cross underneath your property, and if you hit them with a shovel, auger, or other tool, you can cause serious damage, destruction, and even injury.
In virtually every area of the country, you are required by law to “call before you dig,” usually by calling 811 (or the online equivalent). Utility companies will send out an inspector who will mark the location of utility lines with different colors of paint so you can avoid them when you actually start your excavation project.
Even if you think you can leave without checking it out, you shouldn’t. Many utility lines are only a few feet underground , making them very easy to accidentally hit. If you flood your neighborhood or cause a gas leak, you could be held liable for damages, and if you didn’t call 811 before you started digging, your own insurance probably won’t cover the claim.
Other buried things
It’s not just utilities you’ll have to worry about. At least when you call 811, those lines will be marked for you – there could be a lot of things underground on your property that you may or may not be aware of, such as:
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Storage Tanks
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Septic systems
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Irrigation or sprinkler systems
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Pool pipes or wiring
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Old oil tanks
Unless you are the original owner of the property, you may not be aware of old things like this, especially if at some point the house was converted to public sewer or converted from oil heating to gas. You can try to do a little research to find out what might be there, but in any case you should proceed with caution and never assume that you are just digging in the dirt.
Another potential hazard you may encounter when excavating on your property is pet graves. Laws vary, but people often bury beloved pets on their property, but over time the headstones can wash away and you’re in for a terrible surprise. Few people will tell you about a pet cemetery on their property, so unless you are the original owner, you should take this possibility into consideration before getting started.
Offset and lowering
Finally, digging always carries the risk of ground shifting or subsidence. If you dig a hole deep enough to stand in, you are digging a hole that could collapse and bury you . Again, the movies make digging deep holes look stable and easy, but in reality you have no idea how the soil on your property will react to having a large portion of it removed.