A reliable utility locator can help you avoid surprises, but the bottom line is you should be ready to act in case of accidental exposure to natural gas or power lines. What did Johnny's last words to Pony mean? Fence fixer hits gas line, explosion - Fine Homebuilding Local law will tell you how deep the gas lines on your property need to be. Also do you not have codes to surround said pipes with sand? The state of Kentucky, for example, has a $4,000 municipal fee for a broken gas line. This gas line was pretty small and metallic (copper maybe?). If there is no frost line, they aren't that deep. And to answer your question - an open gas line is not safe but generally not dangerous. Cable goes out.. Alright, I guess that pretty much answers it. Youd be surprised how many people puncture lines by simply trying to remove dirt after the line has been found. Light cable like TV line is supposed to be deeper than a few inches. And it came at a competitive price, which is especially nice for a single-task tool that will spend lots of time in the shed after the project is finished. JULIE stands for Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators. They'll evaluate and will almost certainly be responsible for any costs of repairs since there were no markings. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. If you dig and hit a gas line, call 911 right away. If you strike hard enough or consistently strike a gas line, it is certainly possible to break a gas line. A shovel may be heavier due to the materials that make it more durable in tough applications. But there are no shortcuts when digging below ground, and safety precautions should be your number one priority. It's no longer connected to anything but a crappy old stove in the garage, no gas source at all. Your IP: Any kind will do, so craft a Flimsy Axe or Flimsy Shovel if you haven't made one yet. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, the OUPS call center answers an average of 3,000 phone calls a day. This article will guide you through the process to find out exactly where your gas and utility lines are so that you can dig in your property without any risk to your safety or gas and utility services. In this neck of the woods, usually a back hoe with a. 9 Tips on Excavation Safety and Safe Digging Practices. And for prying open giant clams jealousy guarding their bowling ball-size pearls. To remove soil, never scrape against a utility line. Although cast aluminum resists rust and corrosion really well, it is a brittle material that breaks easily. Striking Gas Damaging a pipeline can cause an explosion. ive cut a few while edging beds. Metro New York, Long Island and the Rockaways: Dial 811 or 1-800-272-4480 | newyork-811.com, Upstate New York: Dial 811 or 1-800-962-7962 | UDigNY.org. PDF Guideline for Excavation in the Vicinity of Utility Lines - Dig Safe Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Calling 811 was pretty useless, only the gas company showed up to mark to the meter. The depth of gas and utility lines will depend on your location because local governments set regulations. There is no room for corner-cutting in this process. 11 Different Types of Shovels for Every Digging Need - Home Stratosphere The unique spearhead-shaped blade finds its way naturally to the path of least resistance. Hearing a hissing sound. Finally, dig right up to the line itself, not just markings or tape, so that you know exactly where it is and make careless assumptions. 1. Clear out an area of at least 100 feet, and turn off all power equipment in the same range. Accidentally cutting into one of these lines can disrupt vital services or even cause a fatal accident. To help narrow your search, weve rounded up, tested, and reviewed some really great shovels for the most common digging projects. Excavation Safety Guidelines - Diggers Hotline Yes, it's gets me to about 3ft deep. Run the electric along one edge, the water down the middle, and the gas down the other edge. Flexible Gas Line | Here's a flexible gas line. | QuoraSafe hand-digging techniques | National Grid, There is a bewildering array of lawn equipment options out there on the market, A lawn mower is a noisy machine, and it's no wonder why. Use a trowel to dig very carefully to find the lines. (No, that was not a typo.) While aluminum is prone to denting and bending, it is less expensive and better at resisting rust. With its steel shaft, this spade is extremely sturdy but weighs under 5 pounds. In other areas, the use of copper is widespread. SourcesHow Deep Are Gas Lines Buried In The Ground? They are made more to break up hard earth (or asphalt) so it can then be removed with a normal shovel. Sprinkler water lines are also targets. Like a giant transfer shovel, the oversized scoop head and flat edge worked extremely well moving the relatively lightweight particles piled on a hard, flat surface. You must take care to avoid hitting anything while you're driving. Just curious, as it has not happened to me (yet). I just repaired a cable line about a week ago. Report even minor damage to any utility line to National Grid immediately, so crews can inspect the line and make the necessary repairs. To avoid injury, costly delays and expensive repairs, contact your local One Call Center or call the national referral hotline at 1-888-258-0808 to have underground utility lines marked, at no cost to you. Can you Break a gas line with a shovel?Yes, but gas lines are typically quite strong, made of metal or plastic. Designed with a fiberglass handle and a forged-steel blade to penetrate and break through thick roots, the Bully Tools Round Point Shovel is one of the best options for digging up roots that are buried deep in the lawn or garden. Ames Long Fiberglass Handle Round Point Shovel, True Temper Post Hole Digger With Fiberglass Handle, True Temper Post Hole Digger with Fiberglass Handle. Consult with your local municipal authority before doing any digging to ensure that there are no gas lines, electrical wires, water pipes or sewer lines in the area . I knew I had to score more.. As far as I've always understood it, you need to have it marked and it clears you and the homeowner of any liability or cost to repair it, unless gross negligence is involved. A good example was me digging a trench for a french drain in my back yard years ago. However, now that you know where you can dig, note that you need to dig with care. Call 811 or enter an online request for utility locates at least 72 hoursbefore digging, excluding weekends and legal holidays. Then, carefully poke the line with a probe to locate where it runs through the ground. Inquire at the sity office and install per code or have a professional licensed gas piping plumber do the work. This is referred to as call before you dig or a dig safe hotline. If you have dug a trench to repair a pipe, install outdoor lighting or for some other project, you must eventually refill it with soil. City water and sewer lines are usually buried very deeply to stay below frost depth. If you do break a gas line, follow these tips: Move away from the site. Only use the shovel to remove loose soil once you have broken it up with the pick axe. The handles did not pinch the users hands like some of these tools are known to do. The Fiskars Ergo Trowel is a lightweight, inexpensive tool made of rust- and corrosion-resistant cast aluminum. I started out thinking I was going to repair some rotted lines but found the complete assembly from dealership. "A San Jose man driving a stake into the ground to fix a fence outside his home Sunday hit a gas line and caused an explosion and a fire that destroyed his home, according to San Jose fire officials. Any deeper is hard on the back. Protect Fuel Hose, Wiring and Brake Lines from Heat - Heatshield Products Can you Break a gas line with a shovel? How to react to a students panic attack in an oral exam? You could electrocute yourself, poison others, or even potentially cause an explosion. (These don't show service line to your house, but if a gas line transits your property, it better have an easement or a crossing agreement. Sewer lines on private property can be as shallow as 18 to 30 inches deep or as deep as 5 to 8 feet deep. Everything You Need To Know About Gas Piping - Forbes . Heavy welds around thinner metal might lead to cracking, Tempered-steel head with wide step area for secure footing, Open-back handle socket is possible failure point, Thinner steel flexes in heavy-duty applications, Narrow head and deep handle angle for efficient trenching, Rugged 12-gauge-steel head with closed-handle socket, Unique head design for rocky, heavy, and hard-packed soils, Manganese steel head cuts roots cleanly and stays sharp, Durable kid-size or on-knees garden spade, Great for large container digging or cleaning ash from fireplaces, Too small for most adults to comfortably use while standing, Thick welds could lead to breaks in tough conditions, Short handle and comfortable D-grip for excellent control, Specialty shovel with limited application, Cast aluminum is not for levering rocks and roots, Durable construction with steel-reinforced fiberglass handles, Heavy enough to penetrate hardened clay soil, not too heavy, Markings on the handle help gauge hole depth, Specialized tool with limited application, Moves large quantities of material easily, Cleans ice, soil, or mud from paved surfaces, Open-back handle socket may loosen with heavy use. Gas lines also can be quite near the surface . You do have deeply buried water and sewer lines. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. You will be looking at closer to $100 to $120 if you need to have the fuel line replaced entirely. Copyright Pentagram. The most popular and easiest way is to apply a "marking" paint that sticks to the pipe. . Who is the creepiest character in Naruto? (And fires can be put out, or at least give you time to run away unless they happen to start on top of you). Higher-tiered shovels can also dig through more blocks before breaking. Call 811 right away so that the line can be identified and inspected.