Do You Need to Call 811 Before Stump Grinding in Virginia?

Yes. A stump grinder cuts several inches below the surface and chases roots outward, which is right where gas, electric, cable and water lines can run. We don’t start grinding until the yard has been marked.

The short version

• It’s free. Virginia 811 doesn’t charge for locate requests.
• Give at least 3 working days. Virginia 811 asks for at least three working days’ notice before digging. Weekends and legal holidays don’t count.
• Every job needs its own ticket. Line locations can change, so an old ticket from a past project doesn’t cover a new one.
• You can request it online or by dialing 811. Have the address and a description of where the work will be.

What gets marked — and what doesn’t

The 811 locate covers lines owned by member utilities, usually up to your meter or the point where service enters your property. Lines you own past that point are generally not marked. Around the Lynchburg area that commonly means:

• Irrigation and sprinkler lines
• Invisible-fence wire
• Landscape and driveway lighting
• Power run to a shed, garage, pool or well pump
• Septic lines and drain fields
• Propane lines from a tank to the house

If you have any of these near a stump, tell us when you book. If you know roughly where they run, a few flags or a can of marking paint helps a lot.

Reading the paint and flags

Utilities mark with a standard color code:

How it works when you book with us

1. We remind you about 811 when you book.
2. The utilities mark the yard before the job date.
3. We check the marks on site before the grinder touches the stump.
4. If marks are missing or unclear, we wait — we don’t guess.

Ready to get on the schedule? Book a free estimate and we’ll walk you through it.