What happens if you hit a gas main while you are digging?

If you are intending to start a digging project in your yard you need to be very careful. You can easily see any hazards that lie above ground but you should remember that there are potential hazards under the ground as well. If you encounter one of these hazards during the project it can be costly and potentially dangerous.

One of the hazards you are most likely to hit is a utility pipe. These are the pipes which carry utilities such as gas and water into your home. If you are planning to dig in your yard it’s a good idea to speak to an expert about utility locating. This is a process which enables you to see where utility pipes are so that you can avoid them when you begin to dig. We are going to take a look at how you can benefit from utility location and what can happen if you do not know where the pipes are and you accidently hit a gas main. 

Why is utility location a good idea?

Many people make assumptions about the location of utility pipes around their property; this is not a good idea. The only way to know for certain where utility pipes are located is to get an expert to map them for you.

This information should form an integral part of any planning you do before you start to dig. If you know what underground obstacles you are likely to encounter you can make sure you avoid them. This helps you avoid any unexpected incidents which could be costly in terms of both time and money. 

What if you do hit a gas main while you are digging?

If you do not establish the location of utility pipes before you start digging you run the risk of striking them by mistake. This includes the possibility of hitting a gas main. If you are unlucky enough to have this happen to you it’s important that you take the right action. This helps to keep you safe.

The first thing you need to do is get as far away from the gas as possible. Then you need to contact the utility company and let them know there is an emergency as gas is leaking. You should never panic and just try and make the call using your smartphone while you are still in close proximity to the gas main. This can create sparks which could create an explosion if they make contact with the escaped gas. It’s vital that you move away from the leak before you make the call.

Hopefully, we have helped you to see how important it is to have utility location carried out before you start to dig in your yard. It may be tempting to just try and get on with the project but this can cause problems down the line. You could end up having to pay for repair costs, and putting yourself in danger, if you unexpectedly hit a gas main, or other utility pipe of cable.