I finally saw why you need to ask about all outdoor wiring

Was setting up a cable drop at a house and the homeowner said nothing was buried. When I started digging, I hit a conduit that wasn't on any map. It turned out the previous owner added it for a shed and never told anyone. Now I always get written confirmation about underground stuff before I touch the soil to avoid damaging lines or getting hurt.

4 comments

4 Comments

spencerwebb2mo ago

Of course the conduit wasn't on the map, that'd be too easy.

henderson.hayden2mo ago

Ugh, reminds me of looking for my keys.

felixd512mo ago

My uncle's place in Ohio had the same kind of surprise, a random line to a pond pump nobody used anymore. I mean, the maps are basically just guesses for anything older than ten years. You really have to assume there's something hidden everywhere and work like it's there even if they say it's clear. Maybe it's just me but that written confirmation feels like the only way to cover yourself now.

river_thompson1mo ago

Remember that friend who hit a gas line they swore wasn't there? They had the town map and everything saying it was clear. Turns out the whole street's lines were drawn two feet off from reality. They got the written "all clear" too, but it didn't matter. The company just pointed back to their own map. Now he takes pictures of his own test holes before he even calls for a locate.