Digging without knowing what's underground can damage utilities, cause outages, or create serious safety hazards. Whether you're a homeowner or contractor, you must follow 811 requirements before any excavation.

1. Call Before You Dig (Sunshine 811)

When to call:

Call Sunshine 811 at least 2 business days, but no more than 5 business days before digging.

How to contact:

• Dial 811 (Mon–Fri, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
• Or use the website 24/7 at Sunshine811.com

Who must call?

Anyone planning to disturb the ground in Florida (unless exempted by law, s.556.108 F.S.). This includes contractors and homeowners.

Typical home projects that require 811:

• Installing a fence, mailbox post, swing set, or clothesline
• Planting trees, shrubs, or a garden
• Building a deck or room addition
• Grading or adjusting soil depth

2. Respect the Marks

After you call 811, utility companies mark the location of underground lines using APWA Utility Color Codes:

• White - Proposed excavation
• Blue - Drinkable water
• Green - Sewers and drainage
• Purple - Reclaimed/irrigation water
• Pink - Temporary survey marks
• Red - Electric cable & conduit 
• Yellow - Gas, oil, steam, petroleum
• Orange - Communications or telecom

City crews use water-based paint and/or color-coded flags on lawns, streets, driveways, curbs, or easements. Flags may also be used for visibility.

How long are the marks valid? Marks are valid for 30 calendar days. Removing valid marks is a misdemeanor.

3. What Is Potholing (Daylighting)?

Even when utilities are marked, their exact depth and location can vary. Potholing is the process of carefully exposing a utility line by hand or vacuum excavation so you can SEE it before digging deeper.

Purpose of potholing:

• Verify exact location
• Confirm depth
• Avoid striking the line
• Meet safety and legal requirements

Acceptable methods:

• Hand digging (shovel only – no picks/bars)
• Posthole digging (position the digger blades parallel to the line)
• Vacuum excavation (air or water + suction)

Never use: Axes, picks, bars, or aggressive tools near a utility.

4. When Are You Required to Pothole?

From the City of Tallahassee excavation safety requirements:

Pothole ALL utilities if any of the following apply:

1. You are crossing a utility.
2. You will be within 5 feet of a utility.
3. You are running parallel to a utility:
   • If 3' away → pothole every 50'
   • If 5' away → pothole every 200'

Additional rules:

• Start digging 24" away from the locate line.
• Dig parallel to the locate line.
• Must allow 12" of clearance between drill head/missile and the pothole.
• Pothole must be 12" deeper than the depth of the drill head.

5. Dig Safely

• Use caution and dig slowly near marks.
• Do not jab or jump on the shovel.
• Stop and call the locator if you cannot find the utility.
• Stop digging if you cannot maintain safe procedures.

6. Protect the Utilities

Once a utility is exposed/potholed:

1. Always keep it visible.
2. Install a protective barrier between the drill head, rod, or equipment and the utility.
   • Use materials that won't damage the utility (no shovels as barriers).
   • Prevent objects from falling onto or pushing into the line.
3. Keep drill head and rod at least 12" away from the utility.

7. If You Hit a Facility

1. Stop work immediately.
2. Call 911, even if damage is not visible.
3. Notify the utility owner directly.
   • Excavators and members: use Internet Ticket Entry emergency contact book
   • Others: call Sunshine 811 at 811

8. Is 811 Only for Businesses?

No. Homeowners must also call 811 if digging and unsure of utility locations. Calling 811 is free and protects you from liability, outages, and injury.

9. Still Need Help or More Info?

Sunshine 811 offers:

• Excavation Guides
• Online ticket entry
• Customer support
• State law information

Visit: Sunshine811.com

Call: 811

Remember:

• Call before you dig
• Respect the marks
• Pothole to verify utility locations
• Dig safely

Know what's below. Call before you dig.