To Eric, My spouse and I share a home with a family who frequently use low-wage, unlicensed laborers to do their projects. They are having their driveway repaved, we learned.
The men in the unmarked truck that we witnessed with our neighbor might not have been trained concrete workers. I threatened to call the utility company if my husband began jackhammering into the driveway without first contacting them to mark the underground utilities. I was told not to do that by my husband.
He insists that I don’t give advice to anyone and that the neighbor bear the responsibility for any potential outcomes. I’m being too nosy, according to my hubby. I said, “I’m worried, but not nosy.” There can be repercussions for numerous homes in the neighborhood if they collide with a gas line. Is my concern justified, or am I being overly intrusive?
The Paved Paradise
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To Paved, Your worry is legitimate; if the workmen don’t take the necessary precautions, striking a power line would likely have an effect on more than just your neighbor. However, it is too late to wait until the jackhammer comes to life. Call Before Your Dig’s countrywide number is 811. Here, “before” is the key word.
You can access your state’s 811 center website by calling the number or going to Call811.com, however they will prefer to do this a few business days before to the start of excavation so they have time to label buried utilities. It is preferable that they provide a call as callers must also be aware of the nature of the project and the precise location on the land where the excavation will take place.
Even for minor improvements, reminding your neighbors and their employees of the value of doing this beforehand could help prevent your husband from making snoopy (I believe unjustified) allegations. It’s also the law.
For inquiries, contact R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or by mail at P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Subscribe to his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com and follow him on Instagram.
