Huge digging mistake gardeners make - as experts warn to take 'extreme caution'

19 August 2023 , 14:56

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Caution should be taken when digging in your garden (stock image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Homeowners who have gardens might wrongly assume that they can do whatever they like in their own property without thinking of the consequences, whether that be sunbathing naked or unknowingly spreading giant hogweed, but they'd be wrong - as it could land them in trouble. Another mistake homeowners might be making, is thinking they can dig in their own backyard without causing any problems - but it can actually be incredibly dangerous.

According to a new survey by Toolstation, half of homeowners have admitted to burying items in their garden. While digging, people have also found strange items such as money (7%), garden equipment (13%) or household rubbish (19%). Some (5%) even admitted they had found the body of a former pet from the previous owner.

But now gardening and landscape experts have advised homeowners to proceed with caution if they are digging in their garden - and not to make a common mistake. Before digging around for buried treasure, tradespeople often use specialised equipment like CAT Scanners to identify potential hazards - and say "extreme caution should be taken to avoid damage to your property.

One gardener from the Southwest said: "Internet cables, irrigation pipes and outdoor power cables can be found at shallow depths. They can be difficult to spot as there's no easy way to identify which are which. You should be mindful of power lines and telephone lines above ground. Below ground, you can have power cables, water supply, gas supply, sewerage, and drainage. Power supply cables and gas supply are colour coded and mostly protected, while manhole covers or similar in a garden will indicate sewerage and drainage."

If you end up damaging pipes or cables in your property, it can end up being an incredibly costly affair - but it can also be dangerous. A landscaper agreed, adding: "Dig down with caution! Plans are not always available. Items are buried by previous occupants or forgotten about by the present residents. I have uncovered many hazards, too many to mention. Make no assumptions."

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According to JustDownSize, you can dig maximum 100mm before you need a permit in the UK. You will need a Permit to Dig to go deeper, which is a security insurance to make sure you don't penetrate or disturb the existing ground level. If you or builders at your property hit a gas pipe, you should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 immediately.

Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz