Unexpected Utility Markings On Your Driveway? Here’s The Reason And What To Do

The Frustrating Reality of Utility Markings

If you pride yourself on having a nice, neat driveway, then you might have a love-hate relationship with utility markings. They serve an important function, but it can be frustrating to spend time and effort updating your driveway by resealing it only to find it marked up with paint. While you may be tempted to jump straight to removing them, there are a few important things to understand first.

The Importance of Utility Markings

These markings indicate to utility companies and construction workers where underground lines are, along with other important information about them. If you see utility markings, it means construction has recently occurred or will soon occur in the area. The color of the markings can tell you what utilities are underneath your driveway.

• Blue, green, and purple mark different types of water lines (potable, sewer, and reclaimed, respectively).
• Red indicates electric lines.
• Yellow marks gas and oil, while orange is for communication cables.

The marks help companies locate lines to repair or to avoid while doing other work. Tampering with the markings poses a significant safety hazard during construction. Having paint in your driveway is unpleasant, but having a ruptured sewage or gas line in front of your house is unarguably much worse.

Why Removing Utility Markings is a Bad Idea

Not only is it unsafe to remove the markings, but it’s also illegal in some places. Depending on where you live and the exact nature of the tampering, you could face fines or other penalties for disturbing the marks. There could even be criminal charges if something goes wrong during construction. The construction or utility company itself could even be penalized for failing to maintain the markings, especially if it doesn’t have documentation proving the markings were initially installed correctly.

Removing these markings could result in a huge legal headache for everyone involved. It’s essential to understand that utility markings are not just a nuisance but a vital part of ensuring public safety.

What to Do About Utility Markings

Wait for Construction to Complete

The markings are essential while construction is ongoing, but construction won’t last forever, even if it sometimes feels like it will. If you can see the construction nearby, you could ask the workers for a completion timeline. They may even be able to warn you about upcoming inconveniences, such as if their work later on will block your driveway.

Contact Your Utility Company or Local Information Services

You can also call your utility company or local information services, such as 811, to see if any information is available. They may be able to provide you with a completion timeline or alert you to any potential issues.

Removing the Markings

Once the construction is complete, the markings can be removed. However, you need to be completely certain that the construction is done. Check with your local 811, the construction company, or your utility company to confirm that everything is finished before you start trying to remove the marks. If you know which group marked the utilities, they may even be able to give you advice on removing them.

Dealing with Faded Markings

In most cases, the markings will fade over time due to rain and wear and tear from your car. However, you can speed up the process by washing the area and giving it a good scrub. Cleaning spray paint off of concrete can be time-consuming, so it may still take some time for the marks to completely vanish.

Refreshing Your Driveway

If your driveway is already in need of refreshing, you could try one of these affordable ways to pave it and cover the marks.

Conclusion

Utility markings on your driveway serve an essential function, and it’s crucial to understand their importance before attempting to remove them. By waiting for construction to complete, contacting your utility company or local information services, and following the proper procedures for removing the markings, you can ensure public safety and avoid potential legal headaches.