Residential customers

If you or someone you've hired is going to install an irrigation system, plant a tree or do anything else that requires digging, be sure to call 811 at least two business days before starting the project. We'll come out and mark the underground lines for free. For more information, visit California811.

Take these steps to prevent natural gas leaks

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Call 811

Call 811 at least two business days before you dig—the service is free.

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Identify and mark your digging area

Identify and mark your digging area with a white substance such as chalk, spray paint, flour or marking whiskers, tags, stakes or any combination.

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Leave the marks in place

PG&E and other companies will use colored utility flags, stakes or paint to mark underground lines following the American Public Works Association Uniform Color Code (PDF, 22 KB). Please leave the marks in place until you are finished digging. The marks are valid for 28 days.

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Use handheld digging tools when digging within 24 inches of the outside edge.

Only use hand digging tools, such as shovels, within the 24-inch zone. After finishing your project, carefully backfill and compact the soil.

To submit an online request, please visit Underground Service Alert North.


What to do if you suspect a gas leak or damaged gas line


  • If you suspect a leak, or you accidentally dent, scrape or damage a gas line in any way, alert others in the area and leave immediately to an upwind location.
  • Until you are a safe distance upwind, do not use anything that could be a source of ignition including electric switches, flashlights, candles, electric garage door openers and cell phones.
  • Call 911 for emergency assistance and then call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

Recognize signs of a natural gas leak


Please report any signs of a gas leak immediately. Your awareness and action can improve the safety of your home and community.

Smell

We add a distinctive, sulfur-like, rotten egg odor so you can detect even small amounts of natural gas. However, DO NOT rely only on your sense of smell to detect the presence of natural gas.


Some people may not be able to smell the odor due to a diminished sense of smell, olfactory fatigue (normal, temporary inability to distinguish an odor after prolonged exposure), or because it is masked or hidden by other odors that are present. Also, certain conditions in the pipe and soil can cause odor fade—the loss of odorant so that it is not detectable by smell.

Sound

Pay attention to hissing, whistling or roaring sounds coming from underground or from a gas appliance.

Sight

Be aware of dirt spraying into the air; continual bubbling in a pond, creek, puddle or other source of standing water; as well as dead or dying vegetation in an otherwise moist area.