Summer means landscaping season, and every year we see the same pattern: new fence posts, garden beds, sprinkler lines, and patio pavers go in, and Ting service goes down right along with them. Most of these outages are preventable. All it takes is one free call before the shovel hits the ground.

What is 811?

811 is the national call-before-you-dig number. Call it (or submit a request online) a few days before any digging project, and it connects you with local utility companies, including Ting, to mark the underground lines on your property. Crews come out, paint the ground or place flags, and you know exactly where the fiber, power, gas, and water lines run before you break ground.

It's free. It's required by law in most states before excavation. And it takes the guesswork out of digging near lines you can't see.

When to call

Call before any project that involves digging, no matter how small:

• Installing a fence, deck, or mailbox post
• Planting trees or shrubs with deep root balls
• Putting in a sprinkler or irrigation system
• Building a patio, walkway, or retaining wall
• Any excavation project, even a few inches deep

Fiber lines are often buried shallower than people expect, so "it's just a small hole" is exactly the kind of job that catches people off guard.

811 and the call-before-you-dig process work the same nationwide, but the required notice period before you can safely dig varies by state, generally 2 to 3 business days, though some states allow up to 10. You can use this interactive map on 811 center's site for the expected timeline in your state.

How it works

1. Call 811 or visit call811.com at least a few business days before you plan to dig.
2. Tell them where you're digging and what the project involves.
3. Local utilities, including Ting, get notified and send crews to mark their lines.
4. Once everything's marked, you're clear to dig around the marked areas.

Why this matters more right now

Summer is a great time to tackle that landscaping project you’ve been thinking about all year. A quick call saves you a repair visit, a service outage, and the hassle of redoing a landscaping project you just finished. If you've got a project on the calendar this summer, make 811 the first call, not an afterthought.