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Homeowner's Frequently Asked Questions
- I DON’T HAVE INTERNET SERVICE, CAN I CALL FOR A LOCATE REQUEST?
YES, simply dial 811 or 1-800-257-7777 to reach a Miss Utility Call Center customer service
representative. Please be prepared and have a pencil and paper ready to receive important
information.
- WHAT DO I NEED WHEN I CALL?
The customer service representative will ask you a series of questions needed to process your locate
request that will include;
- Your home address and contact information including alternate contact information.
- The county the work or digging will take place in.
- The type of work you will be doing.
- The city or town the work will take place in.
- The physical address of the work site.
- The name of the closest intersecting street.
- The area you will be working and digging in.
- Driving directions from a well known intersection may be needed if your street
can not be found on our maps.
- HOW MUCH NOTICE DO I GIVE BEFORE I PLAN TO DIG?
If you are digging in:
Maryland-at least (48) business hours, but not more than 10 business days.
Delaware-at least (2) full working days, but not more than 10 working days.
District of Columbia-at least (48) business hours, but no more than 10 business days.
- WHAT PROOF DO I HAVE THAT I CALLED?
The Miss Utility Call Center will provide you a unique ticket number after we collect all the
data that is required to complete the notice process. Keep the ticket number in a safe place and be
prepared to provide the ticket number whenever you call the Miss Utility Call Center. In addition, the
customer service representative will provide:
- A list of facility/utility members who will receive your ticket
- The ticket’s work to begin date
- The marking color codes
- Ticket Check® information in Maryland and Delaware
- Safe work clearance
- Updating procedures
- DO I NEED TO BE HOME TO GET MY TICKET LOCATED?
No, you do not need to be home for the notified member facility/utility owners to perform their
locating work on your property. But, please make sure gates are unlocked and pets are secured if
access is needed to those areas.
- WHAT ABOUT MY PRIVATE UNDERGROUND LINES?
The notified member facility/utility owners will not mark privately owned underground lines. These
include but are not limited to; invisible fencing, sprinkler systems, well and septic systems and their
power or electric service, water and sewer pipes from the meter to your home, etc. If you have
private underground lines and want them located, you should contact a private locating company before
digging. Please refer to your local telephone directory for companies providing private locating
services.
- WHAT ABOUT THE PAINT?
Locating technicians will identify underground member facility/utility lines by using a colored
paint that relates to the particular member’s underground lines. The paint is temporary, solvent,
biodegradable and either chalk or water based. Click
here to view a list of the APWA
color codes.
- HOW WILL I KNOW IF THE FACILITY/UTILITY OWNERS HAVE LOCATED MY TICKET?
In Maryland and Delaware, the notified member facility/utility owners will provide their locate status
to the Ticket Check® System. Before digging, call 1-866-821-4226 (toll free) to listen to each of the
member responses to your ticket.
- In the District of Columbia, the notified member facility/utility owners will contact you directly if they do not have underground lines in your area of excavation. Otherwise, the marked line(s) will serve
as member response.
REMEMBER, you cannot begin digging until all notified member facility/utility owners have replied to
your ticket.
- HELP, NO ONE HAS LOCATED MY TICKET.
If you believe the notified member facility/utility owners have not responded to your
ticket and after you have verified their response via the Ticket Check® System, call the Miss Utility
Call Center for assistance.
- CAN I DIG ON TOP OF THE MARKS?
NO – hand dig within 18 inches of the marked lines in Maryland (36 inches in Montgomery County)
and the District of Columbia and 24 inches in Delaware. If you use mechanized equipment for your
excavation, expose the underground line(s) before using these types of tools.
- SUPPOSE I HIT AN UNDERGROUND LINE, WHAT DO I DO?
Call the Miss Utility Call Center for assistance. If the damage results in a release of natural gas
or other hazardous material or the damage creates an emergency – immediately take steps to safeguard
life, health and property AND call “911” or your local emergency personnel to report the emergency.
- SUPPOSE I WANT TO CANCEL MY TICKET, WHAT DO I DO?
Call the Miss Utility Call Center, Monday-Friday from 7:00am to 5:00pm (excluding holidays) and we
will process a cancellation notice for you. Additionally, if you need to add notes or remarks
to your ticket (i.e. gates will be unlocked) we will be happy to provide those additional remarks
and re-send your ticket to the facility/utility members that are listed on your ticket.
- WHAT OTHER INFORMATION SHOULD I BE AWARE OF?
While digging, please respect the marks. If they are obliterated, call the Miss Utility Call Center
so we can inform the member facility/utility owners listed on your ticket that a re-mark is
necessary.
It is suggested that you identify your dig site by using white paint or stakes. This will save valuable
locate time and eliminate unnecessary paint markings on your property.
When calling the Miss Utility Call Center regarding your excavation notice, be prepared to provide your
ticket number.
Contacting the Miss Utility Call Center for ticket processing and using the Ticket Check® System are
free services.
Remember to provide at least a 48 hour notice when planned digging will take place in Maryland or the
District of Columbia and 2 full working days in Delaware.
Underground lines are continually being installed, it is important that each time you plan on digging;
you process a locate request regardless of excavation depth.
Safe digging is no accident, before your shovel hits the ground, contact the Miss Utility Call Center.
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