09/15/2026
Always call before you dig—it could save your budget, your timeline, or your life. ⚠️👇
We were getting ready to prep a brand-new concrete walkway and parking lot curb at the Sarnia Riding Club when our crew spotted something off in the dirt. We stopped, hand-dug, and exposed an unmarked 4-inch steel gas line right where our concrete was supposed to go.
Hitting a gas line of that size isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a catastrophic safety hazard.
Public utility locates are a non-negotiable first step, but they don’t cover everything. Private lines, like secondary gas runs, private light pole feeds, or custom irrigation aren’t marked by public utility companies. Investing in private locates is the only way to get a full picture of what’s hiding under the surface. While we did do private locates, this line was not marked and could have been a big issue if we were not keeping a look out for anything that seemed out of place.
The Reality of Unknown Dig Hazards:
Safety First: Spotting this saved us from a dangerous utility strike.
Project Delays: Finding an unexpected line means hitting pause. We had to hold off on our concrete pour while specialized trades came in to assess and clear the site.
Timeline Impact: Our front entrance concrete walkway and curb completion had to wait, but taking the delay is always better than taking the risk.
Never assume the dirt is clear just because public locates gave you the green light. Hire private locators, train your team to watch the ground, and hand-dig whenever something looks out of place.
Have you ever hit an unexpected surprise while digging? Drop your stories in the comments!
