Sprucing up the yard this long weekend? ATCO is encouraging homeowners to call before you dig.
The number of gas line punctures is up 10 per cent this year, some caused by excavators and many by homeowners who can easily rupture a line with a shovel.
All it takes is a quick phone call to avoid major-and expensive-problems.
Get daily National news
“There is no charge whatsoever,” said Chris Abrahamowicz, from Alberta 1 Call. “I always joke the charges come when you don’t call us, and go ahead and dig and strike a line.”
The company only needs two working days to locate lines. They say many weekend warriors phone-but rupture gas lines anyway.
“Any time there are marks in the ground, avoid working within a metre of them,” Abrahamowicz suggests. “It you have to work within a metre, kind of work to take soil away safely, expose it to sight and make sure it’s not in your way.”
He adds no one knows for sure how deep in the ground lines are buried, so hand-digging is best.
For more information, go to www.alberta1call.com. You can also contact Shaw which has its own free cable locating service by phoning 1-866-344-7429.
Comments