Call before you dig
Hitting a buried natural gas line is dangerous, disruptive, and expensive — and you can be held responsible for the cost of the repair. One free call gets your underground lines marked before you break ground, whether the job is big or small.
Whether you’re putting in a fence, a deck, a garden, or a new driveway, the rule is the same: make the call first. Underground gas lines run through yards, lanes, and easements all across our service area — and they aren’t always where, or as deep as, you’d expect.
A locate is free, it’s necessary, and it’s the one step that keeps a routine project from turning into a dangerous, costly line hit.
Found your locate marks? Here’s the rule
If your project means digging within 5 metres on either side of the locate marks, expose the gas line by hand for 1 metre on either side of the line before you use any mechanical digging equipment or machinery.
Why gas lines get hit
Two causes account for most line hits in our area — and both are completely avoidable.
No locate before digging
By far the most common reason a gas line is hit: the homeowner or contractor didn’t have the underground lines located before starting the project.
The line wasn’t hand-exposed
The line was marked, but it wasn’t properly exposed by hand before mechanical equipment moved in — so the machine found it first.
Everyday jobs that have hit a line
Before you dig, know this
Your gas could be off for days
A hit line has a big impact on service. Depending on where the line is and how bad the damage is, customers can be without gas for anywhere from an hour to one or more days.
Lines can be inches from the surface
Gas lines are first installed about 0.8 metres (32 inches) deep in yards, lanes, and easements. But as structures go up and grade changes are made — soil added or removed — a line can end up much closer to the surface.
Don’t build over a gas line
Never put a building, addition, garage, enclosed patio, deck, or garden shed over a gas line or utility easement. Call Rocky Gas Co-op first to find out what provincial regulations allow.
Give trees room to grow
Plant trees at least one metre away from the locate marks. Leave more room for larger trees planted with machinery such as a tree spade. If you’re unsure, call the office before you plant.
Make the call before you dig
Big job or small, a locate is free and necessary. Request one online, or call — we’re always glad to help you dig safely.