Which Marker Is Right For You?

Some of us used to work really hard on this stuff!

Now someone can type a few sentences into an AI generator and produce something similar in two minutes. What a world. My entire animation career was apparently just a warm-up act for a chatbot…

And while the world of damage prevention and utility marking continues to embrace new technology, there are still some remarkably simple tools working around the clock to protect our underground infrastructure.

I’ve been in this industry for 10 years now, and through a decade of DIRT Reports, the leading cause of underground utility damage has remained stubbornly consistent: failure to notify 811 before digging.

Fortunately, public awareness has come a long way. Between advertising, social media, and industry outreach, 811 is slowly but surely becoming part of the zeitgeist. (God, I love that word.)

But aboveground utility markers remain one of the simplest ways to remind people what’s buried beneath their feet.

And not every marker is right for every situation.

As our Oscar-worthy animation demonstrates, choosing the right utility marker requires more thought than simply sticking a post in the ground.

Here are a few considerations:

• Location 📍 A marker that works perfectly in a rural cornfield might not be welcomed by a suburban homeowners association. Population density and surrounding infrastructure matter.
• Environment 🏜️ Tall crops, snow, intense sunlight, and high winds can all affect visibility and durability. Your warning message needs to survive whatever Mother Nature throws at it.
• Installation 🪏 Rocky terrain and hard-packed soil can make traditional installation difficult. Sometimes a driveable marker or an alternative mounting method makes more sense.
• Safety 🚧 Markers should be visible from multiple directions, withstand potential impacts, and avoid creating additional hazards along the right-of-way.

The bottom line? The best marker isn’t necessarily the biggest, strongest, or most expensive. It’s the one that works best for its environment.

If Utility Markers Were Halloween Candy … 🍫 🎃 🍬

Speaking of choosing the right product, Halloween is right around the corner.

Watching our marker posts roll off the extrusion line has always reminded me of watching candy being made in a factory. So, naturally, I’ve decided to compare our utility markers to popular Halloween candy.

Because why wouldn’t I?

TriView® = Snickers

The gold standard. A premium choice that rarely disappoints. It’s great on the outside, but the real magic is what’s inside. In this case, our Flex PLUS™ rod. It’s the satisfying center that keeps you coming back.

A-Tags = Skittles

RhinoDome = Butterfinger

Not everybody’s first choice, but the people who love them REALLY love them. A devoted following that won’t entertain alternatives. Respect.

SoilMarkers = Starburst

Colorful, low-profile markers that can easily fly under the radar, but they always get the job done and never disappoint.

Flat Post = Candy Corn

Look, some people love candy corn. I’m not here to judge.

But it has been around forever (maybe too long?), it’s a little dated, and there are arguably better options available. Still, somebody keeps buying it.

Ultimately, whether you’re filling a trick-or-treat bag or protecting a buried pipeline, there’s something for everyone!

Just remember: Your favorite isn’t always the right choice for the situation.

Happy Halloween!

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Film Friday is a weekly newsletter featuring video content from Trident Solutions. Always informative, sometimes funny – never boring. We hope you enjoyed it!

Stay tuned for the next edition.

Spencer Knott