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.