help explain this please

[1idejim]

here's a rant from an irrigator that called for a locate

http://www.lawnsite.com/showpost.php...40&postcount=1

all input is welcome

[DavidDodd]

I would like to ask him if he would rather have a little temporary paint mark on his "hardscape", or be featured in "Accident Files" in Underground Focus Magazine....

[ifinditunderground]

White-lining of the site may have prevented this nonsense....but either way, painting stamped concrete is just stupid. I say they are both at least partially at-fault here. He should call his local One Call and figure out a solution to the issue, if there is one (solution).

[1idejim]

i just sent the op a link to this thread, this may be a good chance for educating both parties.

[OVUS1]

Why not call in a meet ticket so that you can meet with the line locators and explain what it is you need done? Most callers never actually see their ticket, so they are at the mercy of the One Call operator who decides what actually gets printed on the ticket. He probably doesn't know the law, and thinks that we have all the time in the world to respond to these requests when in reality we have a little over 20 daylight hours to get all work done. Nonetheless, I would have a problem with any of my techs painting on surfaces that common sense would tell you not to put paint on, and have had to send a manager out more than once to clean off an area that shouldn't have been sprayed.

We aren't "Urban Graffiti Artists", we are Damage Prevention Specialists that should have common sense (and even use it occasionally)!

[4Q2]

I just use keel on privately owned paving and only mark if necessary. Makes life easier.

[TheCableVine]

I posted some pictures a while back where I brought this subject up. Painting on hardscapes is a no-no. Especially decorative hardscapes like pavers. HOWEVER, there is one exception. When putting in a fence where they might drill a hole in the cement drive that runs from the front to the back of the house... you know, where they park their RV... I mark that to cover my butt. I dot it out I don't use stripes. I had a close call with a gas line once.

When cleaning paint off cement, the best way to do it and leave it looking natural is to put a bit of sand on the area and grind the sand in with the sole of your shoe. Repeat until paint is ground off. You won't have a clean streak either.

[locatethis]

This all comes down to common sense. As a locator I can figure out simply by looking at every different layout and know if marks are needed or not and that if it where my house or neighborhood I would be pissed off. I would call the contractor and let them know of the situation and have them on site. Their is nothing that pisses me off more than a sloppy locate. I do take pride in my work and when i'm finished with a locate, my marks are clean straight and not over done. Especially not on Hardscape, Pavers , Stamped Concrete, or Driveways!!!

[sprayandpray]

I recently quit dotting driveways because of the pictures I have to take. Got called out to meet a Utility rep at a damage. My marks were accurate but he got upset that I didn't have marks on the concrete. As usual, we can't win for losing.

[ProfessionalLocator]

Marking standards are set by the state's one call system. Unless the state excludes driveways and such from marking your are required by law to mark them. Not putting marks on such hard surfaces is a courtesy. If the courtesy is not extended then the owner of the property has a beef with the legislature or with the way the contractor called in the ticket.


I avoid marking private driveways and sidewalks whenever possible. Some very wide driveways where a bore is being shot across I will dot but if at all possible I put the dot in a "seam" where is can be seen but be unobtrusive. Also putting water down allows the paint to settle onto the hard surface and when it drys it does not strongly adhere.

I was dotting some county owned paver style sidewalks in an urban section. You could see everything okay but it did not look bad. A state one call rep was in the area and advised me that dots were not acceptable. So now I paint non publicly owned sidewalks.

[orangeboots]

after having every single lawn sprinkler company cut stuff i just marked, start before the dig time, erase marks on purpose, call in emergencies etc. etc. i will spray edges of pavers sidewalks drives and politely explain why i mark the edges of the hardscape to the homeowner. I also take the time to give them the name of the only good sprinkler company out there-ran by 2 ex locators!

[Dave72]

Anyone try that chalk spray paint ? I forget if its Rustoleum or who..
It wont last as long, but at least someone (h/o ?) can spray it off later on.

(well, unless they hose it off before the work get going.. lol)

[ifinditunderground]

Chalk paint works great if the locator has it in his truck and he uses it.

[1idejim]

these comments helped a bunch, thanks