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If your sewers clogged or backing up and you plan to rent a sewer sank or call a Plumber to clear it out? Br careful, You never Know What’s Inside.

Call Before You Clear from Call Before You Clear on Vimeo.

Throughout the nation, utilities are joining together to let people know about the possibility that some underground natural gas pipes have been inadvertently installed through sewer pipes – a situation commonly known as a “cross bore”. Cross bores can be dangerous because the mechanical equipment used to unclog sewer pipes can easily penetrate a natural gas pipe and lead to the dangerous release of natural gas.
So before you attempt to clear a sewer pipe, or have it cleared by someone else, contact the natural gas utility serving the area to ensure there are no conflicts with underground natural gas pipes.
Don’t assume you know what’s inside. Protect yourself and those around you – Call Before You Clear – Know What’s Inside

When to call
If your sewer is backed up or slow to drain, your first call should be to the natural gas utility serving the area. Why? There is a possibility that a natural gas pipe could have been inadvertently installed through your sewer pipe and the mechanical equipment used to unclog sewer pipes can penetrate the natural gas pipe and lead to the dangerous release of natural gas.
As long as a natural gas pipe is not penetrated, it poses no safety hazard. However, if you are having troubles with your sewer, or think you have a blockage, please call the natural gas utility serving the area first before anyone attempts to clear the sewer pipe.

Frequently asked questions
WHY WOULD A UTILITY NOT HAVE KNOWN THE NATURAL GAS PIPE INTERSECTED THE SEWER PIPE?
Many utilities use underground “horizontal directional digging” to install natural gas pipes underground beneath streets, driveways, and mature trees to minimize damage. This approach is commonly used in the industry because it involves significantly less environmental impacts and disruption than open trench digging. However, because many vintage sewer lines are made of clay and contain no tracer wire they are not “locatable” (where they can be identified with above ground locating devices) and a utility may have come in contact with it without knowing.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE A SEWER CLOG?
If you are having troubles with your sewer, or think you have a blockage, make sure the natural gas utility serving the area is contacted first (either by you or your sewer cleaner) before anyone attempts to clear the sewer pipe. The natural gas utility will examine its records to determine if any potential conflicts exist between its natural gas pipes and whether an in-sewer camera inspection may be needed.
WHAT IF AN IN-SEWER CAMERA INSPECTION IS NEEDED?
Participating utilities work with professionally trained sewer camera contractors who can be sent to your location to complete an inspection. The contractor uses a special camera that goes inside the sewer pipe to identify any conflicts or “cross bores” with underground natural gas lines. There is no charge for this service.
HOW SOON AHEAD SHOULD I CALL?
If you have a blockage or are scheduled to have your sewer pipe cleaned, make sure the natural gas utility serving the area is contacted first (either by you or your sewer cleaner) to determine if an in-sewer camera inspection is necessary. There is no charge for this service.
HOW WOULD I KNOW IF A NATURAL GAS PIPE WAS PENETRATED WHILE CLEANING A SEWER PIPE?
➔ A natural gas odor at the cleanout or inside the building served by the sewer line.
➔ Bubbles rising through standing water or in the toilet bowl.
If these signals are present:
➔ Stop what you’re doing and have everyone immediately evacuate the premises
➔ Leave the doors open
➔ Do not turn on or off any light switches, or use other sources of ignition
➔ From a safe distance, call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance
WHAT IF I SENSE OR SEE, BUT DO NOT PENETRATE, A NATURAL GAS PIPE?
Call the natural gas utility serving the area for immediate assistance to ensure that the gas pipe has not been damaged.