Finding a Gas line

[DougM]

I have a Gas line in my back yard but not sure just where It is plastic line how to find it with out braeking the line ???
Help

 

[k0ua]

Call the utility locating service. It works better than a backhoe, however a backhoe will find it

James K0UA

 

[DougM]

I live in the woods and the line comes from a gas well so the utiity Co. is out and Yes I do have a back hoe. I am just tring to save some work of patching the line

 

[Bird]

Doug, in many, if not most, places that they put plastic lines, they included a trace wire. If so, you should find one end at the meter. Gas companies also have maps showing where the lines are but some companies keep more accurate maps than others. If you're wanting to know where it is before digging, you want to call the utility locating folks in your area anyway; different names in different places. If you don't know who that is, it should be in the phone book, or just call the gas company and ask.

 

[Bird]

Well, 2 more posts while I was typing.:laughing:

 

[forgeblast]

In pa we have pa one call, you can call and they will map out all of your utilities. You may have something similar.

 

[jinman]

I think what Doug is saying is that his gas is not from the gas company, but directly from a well head. It may have just been put in by non-standard means and probably doesn't even have any mercaptan added for odor. It's just a gas line off of a well. The only way I know to find such a line is to start where it is known (at a house outlet) and work your way across the yard with a long probe. If you can probe a few feet deep and find the line, then you may be able to project where it runs after a few successful finds. otherwise, you have to dig up the line by hand to keep from damaging it. If you find it is buried 3' deep, you can dig down 2' with a backhoe and only dig the final 1' by hand. Since (or if) the line wasn't put in with a tracer wire wrapped around it, there is a lot of work involved.

BTW: The probe rod I have is about 3/8" diameter and 4' long. It's mounted on a "T" handles so you can push it into the ground. Of course, you need soft moist soil and no rocks. Its best use is when you know approximately where the pipe is located within a couple of feet.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

however a backhoe will find it

James K0UA

That's the best idea! Just start digging and you'll know when you find it...At least that's what I did with the electric line by the garage... :laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[rmk700]

In pa we have pa one call, you can call and they will map out all of your utilities. You may have something similar.

Yep, in UT it's the law to call locators 24 hrs before doing any digging.

 

[schmism]

a utility gas line or something a private owner buried?

if its a real utility gas line, it will have a tracer wire which make them easy to locate.

 

[TRR]

If you end up having to use the backhoe, I suggest you dig beside the pipe (offset an inch or two) then use a shovel and dig into the side of trench to expose the pipe. Less hand digging, less likely to break the pipe and you don't have to lift the dirt out of the trench - just let it fall to the bottom. Don't assume it is all the same depth. I had to locate a water line and found it varied in depth from 2 feet to 2 inches!

 

[elkhurst1]

I work for a natural gas transmission co in WV.
Even if it's a production line and you call in a "miss utility" or "one call" to the state people that govern that sort of thing and they don't come out and mark the line within (72 hours I believe?) and you dig into it...your not responsible.
But, beware of digging into a gas line! It can be fatal if it's hi pressure or even medium pressure!
Odd's are if it's a production line downstream from a well and not compressed, it's not hi pressure.
I'm not saying to dig, just dig very carefully if you do, parallel to the line.
Your best off to find the line with a shovel and go from there with mechanical means staying away from it.

 

[wedge40]

I believe it's the same number Nationally 811.. Easy to remember..
www.call811.
It's like 911.. Just dial the three digits and you're connected to your local 811 service.. They take down your info.. Where your located and where you need to dig.. State laws vary, but they have somewhere between 48 and 72 hours to come out and mark the area you describe. I believe Indiana is 48 hours.
ALL UTILITIES Get marked.


Wedge

 

[DougM]

This is the problm off of the well in the back yard I put most of the lines in about 15 yrs ago and now I think I know where the line is all plastic so I will be sharping the old spad up and go at it by hand

 

[jinman]

Well, if you put the pipe in, I think one of these could be just the ticket for locating it now.

 

[LBrown59]

This is the problm off of the well in the back yard I put most of the lines in about 15 yrs ago and now I think I know where the line is all plastic so I will be sharping the old spad up and go at it by hand

Might be easer quicker and simpler to just run a new line.

 

[Danno1]

.


And maybe add your own tracer wire while it's exposed.


.

 

[DougM]

Well the Gas line has been found and about half dug out and just one slip to the shovel and now the is a hole int the orange line and the Just one more slip and the water line now needs to be repaired al so hmmm I am having a great day...:d

 

[MMagis]

I hope you turned everything off before digging.

 

[elkhurst1]

Sounds like my kind of luck.
:confused2: