If it’s in the ground, they’re unlikely to move it unless it’s in one of your property’s utility easements.
In my yard, what are the green utility boxes?
A green metal box may be located near or in front of your property. Padmounted transformers are an important part of the electrical system that supplies power to your home. They can only be found in regions with underground electric service.
What’s the best way to hide utility boxes?
There are 24 landscaping options for concealing utility boxes.
- Screen made of wood. Repurposed wood is turned into a slatted screen for the utility box in this project.
Is it possible to encircle a utility box with a fence?
The fence should be at least three feet away from the utility box. Also, keep a permanent fence post out of the way of the box entrance. Utility boxes are owned by ComEd. Do not paint or cover them in any way (e.g. fake rock cover).
What exactly is the purpose of a utility box?
Definitions. Electrical transformers, switches, cable TV, communication or telephone connections and wiring, and other electrical connections required to deliver a utility service from a main line to individual buildings are housed in utility boxes, which are above-ground structures.
Is it okay for me to paint the electricity box in my yard?
You can paint the interior of the box door, but not the inside of the box itself. It’s harmful to get paint on fuses, housings, or circuit breaker switches.
What happens if you run into a green power box?
Drivers take a wrong turn and collide with a power pole. While operating tractors or other machinery, farmers come into contact with a power wire. Drivers of dump or feed trucks elevate or lower their bed, snagging a power wire in the process.
People can come perilously near to coming into contact with electricity, and knowing what to do in such a case can save your life. Power lines or other utility equipment malfunctions disrupt the electrical current’s normal route. This can electrify the earth, automobiles, and other equipment.
Do not exit the vehicle or cab if you collide with a power pole, pad-mounted transformer (green box), or other electrical equipment. Rather, dial 911 and wait for utility technicians to arrive and turn off the electricity. Here are a few examples; in any case, dial 911:
A guy wire is struck by your tractor or car (guy wires are the wires staked into the ground that stabilize utility poles). The guy wire is normally neutral, but it could become energized if it is weakened, yanked out of the ground, or otherwise damaged.
You slide off the road and into a power pole after hitting a patch of ice. Alternatively, suppose you’re in an automobile accident and one of the vehicles collides with a power pole. If there is smoke or a fire, get out of the automobile; otherwise, stay still. If there is a fire, make a clean jump or hop from your automobile or truck without touching it, then hop or shuffle 30 feet to safety with your feet together or on the ground. Consider how a fallen line sends electrical electricity in a ripple effect across the earth. A different voltage is represented by each ring of the ripple. Step potential occurs when you step from one ring to the next, and it can electrocute you.
You see a collision involving a downed power line. Approach the scene with caution.
You ran off the road and collided with a pole, but you can’t tell if the wires are down because it’s dark.
If a drone or other remote-controlled equipment becomes stuck in a power line, do not attempt to recover it.
Tell kids not to sit or play with pad-mounted transformers if you notice them climbing or sitting on them.
You’re hauling a tall pole or ladder: Look up to see where electrical lines are located and maintain a 10-foot clearance at all times.
If you notice children climbing trees with electrical lines above them, tell them not to do so.
If you’re using a portable generator, be sure you don’t connect it to a wall outlet. Backfeeding onto the line can result in the death of a lineworker or a neighbor.
What is the best way to conceal my electrical box outside my home?
Air conditioning, on-demand water, and electricity are all good things, but they need large, unattractive machinery and cords that litter the outside of our homes. These 13 techniques to cover outdoor eyesores and increase your curb appeal will help you hide them!
Before we get started on these fantastic ways to hide exterior eyesores, make sure to check with your local utility companies to see what policies they have in place for covering up your water meters, electrical meters, trash bins, and air conditioners. Some of these policies may pertain to clearance, meter reader access, and proper ventilation for air conditioning equipment.
How to Hide Utility Boxes and Wires
Are your utility boxes and lines, such as your water meter or electrical meter, a source of visual distraction? There are various ingenious ways to cover or camouflage them, whether they are on the side of your house or on the patio!
Repurpose old vinyl shutters to cover your utility boxes as a screen! It’s simple to move or remove the utility boxes for the winter or whenever you need to access them.
Alternatively, you can make a wood screen out of leftover wood from your garage or pressure-treated fence boards. Attach them together using door hinges, then paint or stain your new screen!
Another woodworking project is a slatted wood screen that is held in place by cleats one pair attached to the screen and one set fastened to the house. To gain access to the utility boxes, simply push it up and away.
Attach pots to your wood screen to add some greenery (and even more curb appeal)! Simply swing away from the house to gain access to the utility boxes with this DIY wood screen, which is held up on hooks.
Here’s an easy way to make your utility boxes and wires look better: paint them! It’s surprisingly effective, and it’d be ideal for locations with more stringent rules.
How to Hide Utility Boxes in the Front Yard
Do you have a cable box, an electrical box, or a sewage access cap protruding from your front lawn?
Many people cover them with shrubs and other plants, but you could easily build a slipcover out of beadboard and add a birdhouse on top.
Another option for concealing utility boxes in your front yard, particularly those massive electrical transformer boxes, is to build a corner fence and surround it with plants and flowers.
How to Hide Air Conditioning Units
Because air conditioners are large and require a lot of airflow to function properly, they can be difficult to conceal. The lattice screen is now available! They’re attractive, simple to put up, and provide plenty of ventilation.
Check out this fantastic slatted wood screen if you’re looking for something a little more modern!
Another lattice screen to cover an air conditioner, but this one is even easier to make.
A louvered screen with louvers placed at an angle works well in providing appropriate air ventilation for an AC unit. It also looks great, especially when painted white! This is a more long-term method for concealing your air conditioner.
How to Hide Common (But Ugly) Outdoor Items
Some outdoor objects are vital for home life, but they don’t look as attractive when they’re out in the open. Two examples are water hoses and trash cans. Here are some amazing ways to conceal them!
To store your hoses, make a wooden planter! No one will ever know you’re hiding a water hose or two inside the lid if you fill it with gorgeous flowers and plants. To pass the hose through, make a hole in the back.
To cover your trash cans, build a modern and gorgeous cedar screen! To give it a new purpose, add your house numbers. This DIY cedar screen might be used to cover a variety of outdoor annoyances, from children’s toys to pool equipment!
Alternatively, a smaller garbage can with a door might be utilized to store almost anything!
Alternatively, a cinder block fence can be painted to look like a vinyl fence.
Without the intrusion of outside eyesores, these creative DIYs will transform any front yard (or back yard) into a gorgeous environment! What other ideas do you have for hiding exterior eyesores that you’ve seen or created?
Is it possible to plant around an electricity box?
Plant higher shrubs in the back of the planting space to hide the power box, making sure that the plants don’t reach into the access area when they’re fully grown. Avoid spiky bushes like holly and firethorn, which can scratch utility personnel trying to get to the box. Brewer’s quailbush, Western spicebush, and bush anemone are native shrubs that aren’t thorny and grow tall enough to hide electrical boxes without interfering with overhead power lines, with average heights of 5 to 9 feet.
Can I erect a fence near to the property line?
If you want to build a new fence around your yard, you’ll want to be sure you follow local standards to avoid any legal issues or fines. But what types of rules are there, and what kinds of issues might you face? A few frequently asked questions are listed below.
Do I Need A Fence Building Permit?
A fence building permission is not required in every region, although it is required in some. Contact your local government’s planning or zoning department or a building inspector to find out if you’ll need one. You may be necessary to seek a permission for the first time you erect a fence, but not for subsequent fences.
If you construct a fence without obtaining a permit when one is required, you may be ordered to stop construction or even remove what you’ve already constructed. If you don’t comply, your local government, HOA, or even your neighbors may take legal action against you. You could face a fine or perhaps a lawsuit.
Contact your local city hall to inquire about obtaining a fence building permit. Before erecting any fences, have a property survey completed to determine the exact location of your property’s boundaries. Depending on where you live and the size and location of your proposed fence, you may also need to get permission from your neighbors before proceeding.
How Close To The Property Line Can I Build?
Fences are normally constructed between 2 and 8 inches from the property border. Some localities allow fences to be built immediately on the property line, but you’ll have to work with your neighbor and possibly share the expense of the fence in this case. Contact city hall or a local building inspector to find out how close you can build a fence to the property boundary.
Remember that even if you install a fence a few inches (or even feet) away from the property line, you are still responsible for maintaining your property up to the line. Additionally, before erecting any fence, regardless of how close it is to the property line, you should speak with your neighbors to ensure that everyone is aware of the situation and, hopefully, supportive of it.
Can My Neighbor Build A Fence On The Property Line?
Some jurisdictions have differing requirements for how far a fence must be from the property boundary. Fences can be built right up to the property border between lawns in many metropolitan areas, but in subdivisions and more rural regions, fences may need to be set back a specified distance from the property line.
If your neighbor has constructed a fence along the property line that is prohibited where you reside, you should advise them about the local fence restrictions, as they may not be aware of it. You can notify city hall if they refuse to relocate or remove an unlawful fence that is disturbing you, and they will most likely face a fine or legal action.
If fences along the property line are permitted, and your neighbor has erected one without your knowledge, you should speak with them about it. Fences along property lines are usually a shared responsibility between neighbors, and you and your neighbors may be equally liable for the structure’s care.
Can I Build A Fence Next To My Neighbor’s Fence?
What if you want to build a fence, but your yard is already surrounded by your neighbors’ fences? If there are fences all around you, it’s usually legal to put up your own fence, however you should always check with your local authority beforehand.
To avoid future problems with your fence being too close to neighbors or technically on their property, you should either sign out a legal contract with them when putting it up or simply place all four sides of your fence deeper inside your property to ensure it’s on your land.
This is another instance where a land survey may be required to determine the exact location of your yard’s boundaries. Even if a neighbor takes down their fence, if you can ensure that your fence is totally within your property on all sides, you should never have a fence conflict in the future.
Who Pays For A Fence On The Property Line?
Unless the homeowners on both sides agree otherwise, when a fence is built along a property line, it is normally the duty of the homeowners on both sides. However, when fence repairs are required, both property owners should pay, and if one refuses, the other can take legal action if necessary depending on local fence laws, of course. For further information about your neighborhood’s unique restrictions regarding property line fences, contact your local government.
Can I Remove My Neighbor’s Fence From My Property?
Your neighbor is technically trespassing if they build a fence that turns out to be on your property. To avoid problems with possession, you should first talk to your neighbor about the fence. You can take action to remove the fence if they refuse to move or take it down after you’ve had a property survey or other official means of proving the limits of your yard. Note that any fence removal should be coordinated through your local government’s planning or zoning office; do not try to remove the fence alone.
If your neighbor erected the fence after acquiring a permit, you may be able to challenge the permit and obtain an order from your local government ordering your neighbor to remove the barrier. If no permission was required or even if one was you may need to employ an attorney and take the matter to court to resolve the matter.
