What To Do If You Find Utility Markings On Your Driveway

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Most of us like to keep our driveways as tidy and clean as is practical. It may not be among the most creative ways to increase curb appeal, but it sure helps make an impression when people visit. So it can be pretty annoying to find brightly colored utility markings on the surface. What can you do about it? Well, you certainly can't remove them without checking with your utility company. Those squiggles contain important information. Each color corresponds to a different utility (the American Public Works Association (APWA) publishes a guide if you're interested). They help contractors know what safety precautions to take, and you can be fined up to $5000 or even imprisoned if you remove them before the job is done. Fortunately, you can call 811 for information. It's called 'Before You Dig' and is usually used by people who want to locate utilities before digging up their yard or driveway, but the help line can also inform you of work at or near your address.

Once you know the coast is clear, you may still want to wait. Many of the products used are water-based, so they have minimal environmental impact. As a result, although it depends on the surface being marked and the weather conditions, they are not expected to last more than 30 days. However, if you want to clean up your driveway right away, you'll want to know how to remove utility markings from the surface effectively.

Concrete is the most popular driveway material, and using a pressure washer may be the simplest solution, although there are things to know before you start. If that isn't entirely successful, you may want to treat the utility markings with a degreaser first. Super Clean is a popular solution available on Amazon. It's biodegradable, so it shouldn't harm surrounding grass, but be sure to follow the instructions carefully anyway.

If you have an asphalt driveway, you may hear some experts recommend a hot-water pressure washer to soften the surface and remove markings. However, they are referring to professional equipment. Standard residential pressure washers are not made to handle hot water, and doing so can damage the pump. Cold water and an asphalt-specific degreaser like ACT is a better approach.

There are numerous driveway materials beyond concrete and asphalt, but it's not difficult to find products that remove utility markings relatively easily. While general-purpose degreasers may do the job, it's always advisable to choose a product designed for the specific surface. To be on the safe side, do a small test patch first.