Summer is time for outdoor renovations, from weekend DIY projects to larger landscaping overhauls involving contractors. Regardless of the project size, there is one important thing to consider before breaking ground.
Beneath every property is a network of natural gas, power, sewer, cable and water lines and it’s essential to know where they are before digging starts. Otherwise, you could hit something – as was the case with 1,202 gas lines in B.C. in 2018 – and face repair costs or cause damage to neighbouring properties.
The solution is to click BC 1 Call or call them at 1-800-474-6886 to receive information on the utility services buried in your yard.
Ian Turnbull, damage prevention and emergency services manager for FortisBC, says homeowners need to contact BC 1 Call at least three days before they begin digging.
This will give BC 1 Call time to contact all member utility companies that have lines buried in the area and allow them to provide you information on their location. This will help you determine if your desired digging location is ideal.
The result will be a PDF map that homeowners can use to mark gas, power, sewer, cable and water lines in a yard.
“It’s really important to actually use that information,” Turnbull says, adding that many people don’t pay much attention to the instructions. “Follow the directions on there. They are really important for homeowners.”
Once you’re armed with this information, dig by hand first to expose the line if you’re working within one metre of a gas line. This step is required by law. For more information on laws on safe digging in British Columbia, refer to the BC Common Ground Alliance Best Practices page.
Turnbull adds that lines may be much closer to the surface than you think due to the passage of time, shifting ground and landscaping changes over the years.
“People might make the assumption the gas line is down 18 inches, and they are shocked to find it only at three inches.”
What if something goes wrong?
If you or your contractor hits an underground natural gas line or other utility line when digging, stop what you’re doing, turn off any power tools and call 911 or the FortisBC Emergency Line at 1-800-663-9911. You may face repair costs, but exceptions can be granted if you called BC 1 Call and followed the appropriate steps in safe digging.
According to the BC Common Ground Alliance, 80 per cent of all damages to service lines cause some sort of service disruption in an area— which could make for some angry neighbours.
It can also lead to potentially dangerous accidents. Turnbull gives an example of a homeowner who, while installing underground lawn sprinklers on a long weekend, hit a natural gas line while using a gas-powered trenching machine in his front yard. The machine ignited the natural gas.
To prevent such accidents, the solution is quite simple, Turnbull says. Click or call BC 1 Call anytime you’re planning to break ground, whether you’re digging in the yard, building a fence or excavating a job site. Click here for more information.
Work closely with your contractor
You may be seeking a contractor or landscaper to take on your summer renovation project. Before you hire someone, ensure they have:
- A WorkSafeBC clearance letter: Any worker you hire should have this letter to prove they are registered and in good standing.
- Liability insurance: Contractor/landscaper should ALWAYS carry liability insurance in case they damage your property.
- Business licence: Contractor should have a current business licence to work in your area. Contact your municipal office.
- Permit: Not all projects require a work permit, but check with the municipal permit office to be sure.
- Good track record: Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the contractor is registered or if complaints are made against them.
- BC 1 Call ticket: If for some reason your contractor doesn’t make the call, the homeowner can do it. As long as the ticket has been created, it doesn’t matter who phones, says Turnbull.