Planting? Adding? Fixing? Building?

If you’re planning an outdoor digging project, call 811 before putting a shovel in the ground. It’s free!

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A NATURAL GAS EMERGENCY,
CALL 1-800-883-3181 RIGHT AWAY!

Safe digging is no accident.

Homeowners and contractors must call 811 before undertaking any excavation or digging projects.

Calling 811 is safe, free, and the law. For your safety, you are required by law to call 811 at least two working days before you plan to dig so your underground utility lines can be marked.

How 811 works:

  • Call 811 at least two working days before you need to start excavations or digging. Or, if you prefer to open a ticket online, visit http://www.digsafe.com/
  • Mark your proposed excavation area with stakes, flags, or painted or chalked lines that are white in color and are clearly visible.
  • The 811 service will alert participating utility companies such as electric, gas, cable, and telephone about the planned digging so they can mark the appropriate location of their underground lines, if necessary.
  • Local utilities will then come to your home or work site and mark the location of their underground lines using the color codes below.
  • Remember, you are responsible for marking your private lines such as invisible pet fences, sprinkler systems, yard lights, and gas grill lines.
  • Check the area before proceeding with your project. If a member utility has not responded or if underground facilities are clearly present and not located, call 811 again to have the area located properly.
  • When digging, make sure to always dig around the marks, not on them. Some utility lines may be buried at a shallow depth, and an unintended shovel thrust could result in dangerous and/or costly consequences.

USE YOUR SENSES TO RECOGNIZE A NATURAL GAS LEAK

A majority of gas pipeline leaks occur as a result of individuals digging on their own property. State law requires all excavators and private citizens to contact an 811 center prior to any excavation activities. Once 811 is called, Summit Natural Gas will mark all gas pipelines free of charge.

Although natural gas pipelines have an unparalleled safety record, occasionally leaks do occur.

How to Recognize a Natural Gas Leak

It’s important to know the signs and hazards of a natural gas leak.

Although natural gas pipelines have an unparalleled safety record, occasionally leaks do occur.

Here are some signs of a natural gas leak:

  • An odor like rotten eggs caused by the Mercaptin mixed with the natural gas
  • Roaring sound like an engine
  • White vapor that looks like smoke
  • A hissing or whistling noise
  • Fire coming out of a hole or on top of the ground
  • Dirt blowing from a hole in the ground
  • An area of frozen ground in the summer
  • Patches of dead vegetation or grass

Here are some hazards you need to be aware of:

  • Gas leaks are highly flammable and easily ignitable
  • Gas leaks displace oxygen and cause asphyxiation
  • Natural Gas fires may produce irritating and corrosive vapors
  • Vapors may cause dizziness

If you suspect a natural gas leak, call Summit immediately at 1-800-883-3181 from your neighbor’s house or another location away from the leak.

If you smell gas, act fast!

Natural gas does not have an odor, so an odorant called Mercaptan is added to signal a leak. Mercaptan gives off a foul smell, reminiscent of rotten eggs or sulfur.

If a natural gas leak is suspected, NEVER do anything that might cause a spark. This includes:

  • Lighting a match
  • Starting an engine
  • Using a cell phone or other electronic device in close proximity to a suspected leak
  • Extinguishing a fire or attempting to repair a leak
  • Drive anything into a vapor cloud as it might explode

Most leaks are small and not dangerous, but if a leak is suspected, always comply with the following procedure to be safe:

  • Leave the area uphill or up wind of the suspected leak
  • If possible, turn off any equipment that could cause a spark
  • From a safe place, call 911 or your local emergency responders
  • Call us at 1-800-883-3181 and be sure to tell us where you are so you can let us into your house or business when we arrive
  • Warn others of a potential leak and stay there until emergency responders arrive.

Under no circumstances should you ever attempt to repair, stop or fix a pipeline leak, or rupture. Trained pipeline technicians with specialized equipment and knowledge are the only individuals qualified to conduct repairs on natural gas pipelines.


BLOCKED SEWER? YOU MAY BE DEALING WITH A CROSS BORED SEWER LINE!


HOW DO CROSS BORES HAPPEN?

For many years, utilities nationwide have installed gas pipelines by boring underground, rather than digging trenches, to avoid tearing up paving and landscaping.

Existing utility facilities, such as underground electrical and pipes, are located and marked in accordance with the requirements of Digsafe laws before new gas pipelines are installed using underground boring technology.

Sometimes, a private underground facility such as private sewer line that is not mapped and cannot be discovered with the use of above-ground locating devices is inadvertently struck by the underground boring machine resulting in what is known as “cross-bore.”

IF YOU SUSPECT A CROSS BORE

  • Call or ask your sewer clearing professional to contact Summit Natural Gas of Maine at 1-800-883-3181 prior to clearing the blockage. We will promptly meet your professional to locate and mark our natural gas pipeline free of charge.
  • Never use a sewer clearing machine to clear an interior blockage until the obstruction has been identified.
  • Suspect a gas leak? Leave the area immediately and call CNG or 911. Do not use phones near the gas leak.
  • Before anyone clears an interior blockage, by chemical or mechanical means, call Summit Natural Gas of Maine at 1-800-883-3181 then press #9 for immediate assistance.

REMEMBER TO REMOVE SNOW AND ICE FROM YOUR METER!


Although natural gas equipment is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, damage can be caused by snow and ice accumulation, as proper ventilation is required to keep equipment running smoothly. Vents for natural gas appliances prevent the accumulation of carbon monoxide within buildings, and ensures combustion equipment operates properly. Customers should check the vents on their home or business and remove any snow or ice from the area. Additionally, Summit Natural Gas encourages all customers to check and test their carbon monoxide detectors to ensure the equipment is working properly.

The natural gas meters should be kept clear of ice and snow to avoid damage to the equipment and the meter should remain visible and accessible for maintenance personnel. Snow and ice should be removed from natural gas equipment as gently as possible, using a broom rather than a shovel or kicking the meter and pipes. Damage to the meter can also occur from overhead hazards, and customers are encouraged to remove icicles from overhead eaves and gutters to prevent dripping water from splashing and freezing on the meter or vent pipe.

Here are a few steps you can take to avoid any issues:

  • Remove all snow and ice on your gas meter as well as all piping.
  • Carefully shovel all snow around your meter and move it away.
  • Ensure quick access to your meter by shoveling a pathway to your meter. This is important in case of an emergency.
  • Check your meter regularly to ensure there is no snow and ice accumulation.
  • Call us immediately if your gas pressure regulator vent is blocked or you have any concerns pertaining to its proper function.