Watch the gas line when you dig

It is simple: before digging anywhere near the gas line, call 811 at least two days before you start. The Gas Company recommends you then mark out the area of excavation with a white painted line. They then will come out and mark the path of your gas line.

This number is a federally-mandated national "Call Before You Dig" number. It was created to help protect us from unintentionally hitting our underground utility lines while digging. Having hit my sprinklers a few times, I can see its usefulness. Fortunately the previous owners of our house put a brick pathway directly above where the gas line goes. That number is staffed from 6AM to 7PM Monday-Friday. Or you can do it online (here) but you will need to have, or start, an account.

If you DO damage the pipeline, call 800-427-2200 immediately.

If you are interested in where the high pressure gas transmission lines are in Encino, click here then on Los Angeles County then zoom in. Since this addition to the Gas Company website is new, I assume it was added after the San Bruno explosion (shown in photo).

Photo: Wikipedia – Mbz1