How Deep Are Gas Lines Buried in Your Home?

Homeowners heavily rely on natural gas as their primary energy source. Gas lines play an important role in allowing you access to several home appliances, so learning about them is crucial.

After all, if you’re planning to do home improvement projects that involve digging or excavating around your property, you’ll need to know the depth of buried gas lines to avoid potential damage and stay safe. Alternatively, if you’re experiencing a leak, a professional plumber will need to know where your system is located to fix the problem.

Let’s go over what you need to know about how deep gas lines are buried.

What are gas lines?

To start, you’ll want to know the practical purpose of this system. Gas lines are meant to safely transport flammable gasses to appliances that depend on fire. This can include, for example, ovens, water heaters, fireplaces, and even dryers.

As working with these kinds of systems is extremely dangerous, only experienced professionals should handle installations and repairs. After all, DIY work opens up the risk of gas leaks, which, when left unchecked, can result in health hazards and property damage.

Regular system maintenance and cleaning are essential, as residue can gradually accumulate. Over time, this buildup can impede the proper functioning of your appliances.

How deep are gas lines usually buried?

Typically, gas lines are buried at various depths, with the usual range being 18 to 24 inches. Service lines can be found at around 18 inches underground, while main lines are buried at approximately 24 inches deep.

The depth also changes based on the gas type and purpose. The standard depth for natural pipelines is a few feet, but liquefied gas pipelines may be buried up to 100 feet deeper.

Burial depths are regulated by local governments, so restrictions may differ between towns and cities. Commercial pipelines are generally situated deeper beneath the ground compared to their residential counterparts. In other words, private residences tend to have more accessible gas lines that aren’t as deep beneath the surface.

The main purpose of having pre-established depths is safety, and so, it’s recommended not to modify how deep your system is situated without proper permission from local authorities. When digging or excavating nearby, precautionary measures must be taken to ensure safety.

How long do gas lines last?

The lifespan of gas pipes is highly dependent on various factors. For instance, the pipeline’s material, its upkeep, and the environmental conditions it’s exposed to can impact how long they last. In general, they have an expected lifetime of around 50 years.

With moisture, soil, and other elements making regular contact with buried systems, they’re highly prone to corrosion. With this corrosion comes the risk of leaks and cracks, making them unfit for use.

If a system has reached the end of its lifespan, you must have it replaced for safety reasons.

Maintaining gas lines

Regularly inspecting and maintaining gas lines is crucial to mitigate the risks of leaks, explosions, or poisoning. Even though this system is buried underground, it’s not immune to long-term damage.

Proper maintenance means having regular checks conducted to ensure the integrity of all components. Skilled professionals with specialized tools will perform various tasks to check for pipe warping and restrictions. This approach allows for the timely detection of any pressing issues and prompt gas line repairs before any serious damage occurs.

For gas line installation and repair, trust J. Blanton

Knowing how deep gas lines are buried in your home is essential for both safety and maintenance purposes.

Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent potential issues and ensure the system’s longevity. However, it’s important to remember that only professionals should handle modifications to this system due to the hazardous nature of the work.

Keep in mind that regulations will differ depending on your location. It may be necessary to consult with local authorities before making any modifications.

For gas line services, consider getting in touch with J. Blanton. Our top priority is your safety, and our team of licensed and experienced professionals is ready to handle all your installation, repair, and maintenance needs. We guarantee quality service and have been working for Chicagoland homeowners for over 30 years.