In BC, digging doesn’t stop when the weather turns. Foundations, service connections and road work carry on through the wet months. But fall and winter bring a problem every crew knows: the locate marks you paid for can disappear before the first bucket goes in.
Rain washes paint away. Leaves pile up over flags. Snow, mud and traffic cover what’s left. Here is how to keep your markings visible, and what to do when they aren’t.
Why locate marks don’t last in fall and winter
Problem | What happens on site |
|---|---|
Heavy rain | Paint fades or runs on wet asphalt, gravel and soil |
Falling leaves | Marks and flags are buried under a layer of leaves |
Mud and traffic | Trucks and equipment track dirt over the paint |
Snow and plowing | Marks are covered or scraped away, especially in the Interior and North |
Short daylight | Less time on site, and marks are harder to read at dusk |
A locate is only useful if the crew can see it on the day they dig.
Before the locate: set the site up
- Clear the area. Blow or rake leaves and move loose materials so the locator can reach the ground.
- Mark your dig area in white. Outline exactly where you plan to excavate, so the locate covers the right space.
- Book close to your dig date. The shorter the gap between locate and excavation, the less time weather has to erase the marks.
- Plan for daylight. Morning bookings give the technician the most light to work and photograph.
During the locate: make the marks last
In wet or leafy conditions we don’t rely on paint alone:
- Flags and stakes on grass, gravel and soft ground, where paint soaks in or washes off
- Offset marks on a nearby curb, wall or pole when the line runs under mud or loose material
- Tie-in measurements from fixed features, such as a hydrant, manhole or building corner, so the line can be found again if the paint is gone
- Photos of every mark with landmarks in frame
After the locate: protect the marks until you dig
- Photograph the markings yourself the same day and keep them with the job file. Our free Site Log keeps dated photos in one place.
- Keep equipment and material piles off the marked lines.
- Don’t pressure-wash or sweep the area before excavation.
- Check the marks again at the start of each shift.
When the marks are gone: stop and re-mark
If you can’t clearly see a mark, don’t guess. Faded or missing marks are one of the most common causes of line strikes.
- Stop work in that area.
- Request a re-mark from BC 1 Call for member lines.
- Book a re-locate with your private locator for private lines.
- Hand dig or hydrovac near every line once it’s re-marked.
A re-mark takes far less time than repairing a gas line or a fibre cable.
Your BC 1 Call ticket still has a clock
Weather delays are common in fall and winter, but your ticket dates don’t pause for rain. If a project slips, check that your ticket is still valid before you dig. Our free BC 1 Call Reminders email you before the start deadline and the expiry.
Does wet weather affect GPR?
It can. Very wet or clay-rich soil absorbs radar signals and can reduce how deep ground penetrating radar can see. That’s why we combine GPR with electromagnetic locating, which traces metallic lines and tracer wire regardless of moisture. Our technicians adjust the method to the ground conditions on the day. For a closer look at how rain, standing water and wet soil affect a scan, read Scanning in the Rain: Can GPR Work in Wet Conditions?
Interior and Northern BC: snow and frozen ground
From Kamloops to 100 Mile House and Kitimat, winter adds snow cover and frozen ground. Marks on snow are easily covered by the next fall or a plow. Flags, stakes and offset marks on fixed features are essential, and photos with tie-in measurements matter even more.
Quick checklist for fall and winter digs
- Leaves and loose material cleared before the locate
- Dig area outlined in white
- Locate booked as close to the dig date as possible
- Flags, stakes or offsets used where paint won’t hold
- Marks photographed with landmarks
- Marks checked at the start of every shift
- Re-mark requested if anything is unclear
- BC 1 Call ticket still valid
For the full pre-dig list, use our free Safety Checklist.
Book a locate that holds up to the weather
Sigma GPR provides private utility locating and GPR scanning across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and the rest of BC, all year round. Not sure whether you need a private locate as well as BC 1 Call? Read BC 1 Call vs Private Utility Locating.
Book a locate or call (778) 302-0868.