Take your time and hand dig with a shovel. That's the only way it can safely be done.
Yup. This is spot on. If you are not comfortable doing it, maybe a friend or neighbor has experience exposing utilities. It isn’t rocket science but there is a technique to it.
Really depends on the soil and if the utility put sand on top on the gas line. No guarantee there is sand on top.
Dig out the dirt with a hand spade, etc. It'll be slow but safest
Not practical if the soil is hard. If you have shale, this is a no go. If you have clay, your arms will be tired. In my area, gas lines are probably 4.5 feet -6.5 feet under grade. Thankfully, it is usually top and bottom sanded.
Does the smaller line have a tracing wire with it? If so, you can try a fox and Hound wire tracing System to let you know your close. I got mine, a Fluke model at HD for $75.00.
Real handy once you learn to use it.
Can’t really go by this. The tracer wire can be inches or feet off or sometimes it can break.
Most utilities require you hand dig or hydro excavate within 25 or 50 feet of their markings. Keep in mind the markings are an estimate at best.
I think you mean 2-5 feet. This is a valid point. Each state is different. In NJ, if you hit it outside of 24”- it is not on you. The people that mark it have an obligation to be within a tolerance zone. They can’t be be off by more than the allowance and expect you/contractor to not hit it. This is a big deal.
I don't know who locates in your part of the state but up north J.U.L.I.E. marks it and the line can be 18" either side of the mark.
This sounds right.
I've never tried it, but maybe an air spade like they use for aerating roots on trees?
Absolutely not. If you are disturbing the soil within the tolerance zone, you must locate the utilities first by non-mechanized means first.
This is what you can do. Find out what the tolerance zone is in your state. In mine, 18-24”. So I take a tape measure and measure 25” on each side and take a picture. Then I am free to dig outside of this by whatever means.
Any marks that you will disturb by digging- you have to preserve. Mark it on the outside of the digging area. You can dig outside the area and see if find the trench. Usually, the utilities dig a service trench and bottom sand plus top sand the utility. So if you find sand or really clean soil, use a hand trowel.
You may get super lucky and they laid a gas line tape above the line. That is the way you are supposed to do it in my area but it varies. If you post a good pic of your mark outs, we can you a better idea on how to proceed.
If you can’t find the service trench, you have to dig within the tolerance zone. Here you have to be careful. No guarantee how deep or if there is a sand or caution tape above. Don’t dig right on top of the gas mark. Work from one side to another and remove the soil. Since the line is plastic, it should either be sanded or in a conduit.
If you are still not sure- you could have them mark where the gas line comes up from the ground to your gas meter. They usually call this a sweep. Carefully follow it down until it turns and it flattens out. Now you have an idea of how deep it should be. So like 6 inches before you hit that mark, use a hand trowel.
