811 Day – Staying Damage Free
A Gaines crew uses a hydrovac to accurately excavate an area using a high-pressure water and vacuum system to prevent damage of underground utilities.
August 11 (8/11/2025) is National 811 Day. This is a day to recognize the importance of contacting 811 to mark underground utilities prior to digging. Gaines recognizes safe digging practices on August 11…and every day.
Here are some ways Gaines prevents damages to underground utilities:
Contact 811
Every state has different 811 laws, processes, and procedures. We know the laws in the states we operate and give plenty of time for the full 811 process.
Verify Marks
Once 811 identifies underground utilities, we double check the marks with our own equipment and processes, including test pitting.
Lay Utility Tape
Just like 811 flag colors represent different underground lines, so do tape marks. We lay tape just above the lines to identify buried utility lines. This signals there is a utility line close underground when excavating.
The green tape in this picture signifies that there are sewer lines below. This is used as an extra precaution when excavating to ensure lines do not get hit.
Use Hydrovac
Included in our vast fleet of equipment is a hydro-excavator (or hydrocav). We use a hydrovac when working near known underground utility lines. This form of excavation uses a system of high-pressure water and a vacuum to accurately excavate while preventing damage to underground utilities.
Hydrovacs reduce the need for digging. They use a process of high-pressure water and a vacuum to excavate soil, reducing the risk of damaging underground utilities.
Gaines is proud of its award-winning safe digging record and continues to work as a unified team to prevent damages to underground utilities. Join us this August 11 to keep workers and communities safe and utilities damage-free.
Gaines and Company Site Development is a full-service site development company specializing in underground utilities, grading, excavating, erosion controls, and road work. With over 70 years of experience, the organization serves home builders and developers, general contractors, and military installations, as well as state, federal and municipal authorities, throughout Maryland, North Carolina, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
