At what depth are power and cable company lines buried?

Michael Patton
by Michael Patton
I am having some foliage in my back yard cleared soon by a company and I understand that they will use hard metal rakes to do this. I am worried that they might accidentally cut power and/or cable lines buried in my back yard. I was just curious if anyone knows at what depth these cables are typically buried? Thank you.

  8 answers
  • Karen-home Karen-home on Apr 23, 2018

    A lot depends on how old, has dirt come in, all kinds of reasons. Whatever depth the utility says, it is not always right. Did you call Dig-Sale. They can tell you where the lines are. Dig Safe is here in KS, surely you have something similar where you are.

  • Dianacirce70 Dianacirce70 on Apr 23, 2018

    Providers have 800 numbers you can call to locate underground lines. It is a free service, I highly recommend doing that first

  • Call your utility companies first, they all have this info available. If metal rakes used on the surface disrupt your utilities, you have bigger problems.

  • Ann Cherkas Halstead Ann Cherkas Halstead on Apr 23, 2018

    call call call!

  • Lynn Lynn on Apr 23, 2018

    depends on local code, probably around 2’

  • Becca Becca on Apr 23, 2018

    Call your local power and water companies BEFORE YOU DIG! THEY CAN HELP YOU FIGURE OUT WHERE AND HOW TO GET THE JOB DONE!!

  • AmAtHome AmAtHome on Apr 23, 2018

    It seems it can vary a lot, we have some that are about 6" down, some are 12". We have one cable line that's not buried at all since a repair. Unless they are really digging down, it should be fine. We always call before any dogging, our city has a "call before you dig" number and the lines all get sprayed to mark them, including water/sewer.

  • Call power companies