Drilling near gas lines is, as previously said, an extremely sensitive activity that needs the highest care and accuracy, should the results be disastrous. Distinct natural gas odor. Whatever the situation is in your region, be sure you get the proper approval from the pipeline operators for both where and how you want to dig. If unsafe conditions are found, you should have the pipeline repaired immediately. When youre digging in your yard or making repairs around the house, its important to know how deep those gas pipes are buried so that you dont accidentally dig up one and start a fire. The most-active April gas contract on the New York Mercantile Exchanges Henry Hub For example, to locate the general path of the water line from the street to your house, first locate the point on the street where the water line enters your yard. WebI had a contractor cut my gas line a couple of years back - he said it's supposed to be at least 18 inches deep. Unclogging sewer pipes can create gas leaks, so please always have a professional inspection of sewage blockages before attempting to clear them. Why? The depth of the gas line varies depending on where you live, but they are typically between 10-30 feet below ground. Most plumbers have equipment that allows them to find house sewers and record their depth at regular intervals. This may make it easier to start and stop digging, as well as provide you significantly more control when digging. Knowing where they are and what youre doing is the quick solution. The tools used to locate underground wires are not always precise, and 811guidelines say that holes or trenches should be kept at least 18 inches away from either side of marked lines. Also, if telephone. The situation is similar in Canada, with the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association stating that the 30 meter radius around pipes is deemed a restricted area, which means you must inform the pipeline operator if you decide to dig there. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. This document applies only to the occupation of freeways by lines, facilities or systems used for communications. Thats why the depth varies around the globe and can be specific to even cities. The depth of gas and utility lines will depend on your location because local governments set regulations. That manner, even a mishap wont result in a leak or explosion. Required fields are marked *. In other instances, it will be employees of the utility company who do the work. The fastest way to find out what underground utilities you have underneath your feet is to call 811. The depth of gas lines is measured from the frost line in cold regions. Public and private utility locators employ high-tech equipment, and those employees have gone throughextensive training to pinpoint the exact position of your underground utilities. (Learn How To Repair Drywall Tape On Textured Ceiling). Even if you dont hit the gas line directly, damage can be done if you dig too close to it. If the line is installed with bends to avoid obstructions, you wont be able to establish the exactshape of the pipeline. Most Applicable To:Utility Companies, Designers, ContractorsDescription:As the name implies, this document, commonly referred to as the "Blue Book", addresses the general requirements for the design and construction of underground utility installations within the state highway right-of-way. If your home has a fire or explosion as a result of a broken gas line, chances are that your homeowners insurance policy will protect you from the damages. Both hitting a gas line and failing to report it can be costly as well as dangerous. This is a dangerous and unrecommended option. You should quickly remove everyone from the vicinity. Before any excavation, all utility companies in the United States require that gas, electrical, and phone lines be located. It therefore takes specialized drilling tools to get down to that depth, and these are typically wielded by those with the experience necessary to use them properly and not damage the gas line. Who Makes Jaguar Cars? In fact, few outcomes can be more disastrous than accidentally striking a gas pipeline in the course of digging or doing other work. The safety benefits here should be readily apparent. They are placed to indicate the position of underground gas lines. If you are to practice caution around gas lines, you should know that: Heres more info ontop-rated airport parking,the best parking spots in your city, affordableauto insurance, easyauto refinance, andhigh-quality car washes near you. The chance that someone will hit a gas line by accident goes up when there are more people in an area and when there is more traffic or work. Most of the time, the main gas lines are at least 24 inches deep. The Federal Communications Commissions nationwide utility location hotline number is 811. Irrigation lines and landscape lighting conduits and cables are not identified by 811location services, so dig methodically and slowly, examining the excavation regularly for unexpected pipes and cables. You can call 811to get the utility lines on your land marked for free. The Health and Safety Executive recommends that mechanically-powered excavation machines not be used within at least 500 milliliters of a pipe to give the space a wide berth. When digging, few things are more critical than ensuring that you wont do any long-term damage to the sites structural stability, which includes striking a gas pipeline. A serious crash might take a few inches of asphalt and concrete out of the road or street, but thats not even close to being deep enough to reach the gas lines, usually buried at least two feet down. Prepare Your Lawn Mower For Spring (Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist). Its a municipal issue, which means that the town (or county, or state) makes the standard when it comes to gas line depth. The gas from the line can easily cause a massive explosion the moment that it gets exposed to a high enough heat, a match, or even an open flame. 12 cable and phone. Fines can go up to $50k. There is also a lot of variances in the depth of gas lines from country to country. However, over time, these materials can deteriorate and develop leaks. Prioritize the laws in your area to ensure your familys safety and make it easy to fix gas lines in an emergency. However, finding these connections on your own is sometimes doable, though we do not suggest it. Deep gas lines can be cracked or broken with augers, post-hole diggers, and mattocks. Gas lines that arent deep enough are more prone to damage. If your gas lines havent been marked by a professional, dont dig. As a result, you should verify the rules for your nation and state to see how deep gas lines are in general and where you want to dig in particular. A few of the larger services: Individual states often maintain web portals providing information on safe digging. In other words, the depth will often be the shallowest thats allowed in your town or neighborhood. In some cases, inhaling excess gas can even lead to death. It can be costly as well as dangerous to strike a gas line and fail to notify it. --If you want more backyard tips including recipes, how-tos and more, make sure you subscribe to my youtube channel, 13 Surefire Ways to Get Rid of the Fishy Smell on Your Hands, Smoked Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger Chili on the Big Green Egg. It is something you should be conscious and cautious of. So, if you find yellow flags or inscriptions painted on the ground, please leave them alone! Before starting work on pipes that operate at least two bars of pressure, the Health and Safety Executive suggests contacting the pipeline operator for more information. Looking at the UK examples, it isnt hard to see a pattern. The severity depends on the type of line, what hits it, how, and where on the line the break happens. These are all very dangerous scenarios, but happily, with a little caution and knowledge of how deep gas lines are generally installed, where they usually are, how to recognize them, and other important facts, you may dig without worry of striking one. Local law will tell you how deep the gas lines on your property need to be. Download the Way app for all your travel and car related needs. Fortunately, there are effective ways to pinpoint the location of underground utility lines before you dig. WebIf you do, or if you suspect private lines are buried in your yard or on your property, consider getting them marked by a private locating company. The main concern with burying a gas line is making sure that it is deep enough to avoid being damaged by digging or other activities on the surface. If you think you may have a gas leak, leave the house immediately and call MGU at 800-401-6451. The current page is, Pay by Credit Card (Western Union, fees apply). This is because most homes will have gas lines running underneath the property. You should thus make sure that your personnel are specifically trained to operate horizontal drillers or any other piece of drilling machinery before you begin your project. Sewer lines are another, and while it can cause a mess, a fractured sewer line isnt too harmful. In Australia, How Deep are Gas Lines Buried? Natural Gas: If you smell gas, think you have a gas leak, have carbon monoxide symptoms or have some other gas emergency situation, go outside and call 911 and then our emergency number 1-800-634-3524. The advantages in terms of safety should be obvious. What You Should Know about Georgia Rental Car Insurance! Damaging a gas line and not telling anyone about it can be dangerous and cost a lot of money. Some are several feet deep, others are almost immediately underneath the surface. In addition to clearance requirements, underground tanks need to adhere to depth guidelines, which are defined in the LP Gas Code (NFPA 58). A significant collision may remove a few inches of asphalt and concrete from the pavement or road, but thats nowhere near deep enough to expose the gas lines, which are normally buried at a depth of a few feet or more. For starters, make sure you have the whole arrangement of the gas lines before you begin excavating. Some gas lines can be as shallowly laid as six inches beneath the surface, while others may be as deep as several feet in. WebAreas of dead vegetation directly above the buried piping. Most of the time, the depth of your gas line will be determined by your areas minimum. This means that if you were the one who dug and you didnt call ahead to find out where you can dig, you will be legally liable. After that, the utility company sends employees to your location to designate underground utility pipes or wires with paint or flags. Any tiny spark can trigger the gas to ignite. Call your states gas hotline if you find any damaged gas lines. A gas line that needs to be run to the home is not going to be a cheap replacement by any means of the word. Complete Guide for All Types of Vehicles, Can You Reuse Charcoal? If you do hit a gas line, it needs to be reported immediately. Think of a straight line between the two points to get a general sense of where the water line runs across your yard. For example, the Health and Safety Executive has various guidelines for excavating safely near gas lines. ). Where private companies have installed underground pipes or cables, contact the company and ask for assistance in locating them. Various utility lines are buried underground and there are serious consequences if you mistakenly hit, scrape, or otherwise damage them. If youre working on this project with a group of individuals, its critical that everyone understands where the pipes are. This can allow you to start and stop digging more easily and it can allow you far greater control while digging. The center will dispatch a utility finder to locate and label underground pipes so that you do not dig into them. Areas where there is either more traffic such as roads, highways, and footpaths tend to feature gas lines that are buried much deeper than those on private property. Wait until all utilities have been marked before you start digging. According to the Health and Safety Executive in the UK, gas lines are to be buried at 750 millimeters (or roughly 28 inches) in a road or verge, at 600 If you do happen to touch a gas line, you must notify it right away. The pipeline operator should provide you with blueprints for the gas pipe layout in your region, according to the Health and Safety Executive. Your phone call will be routed to a central call center. Answer the dispatcher's questions regarding the nature of your planned digging project. Temporary marking paint typically has a 30 day limit before it washes away or fades. They will then come to your site and mark any underground utility lines, including power and gas lines, communication cables, and water lines. Electric: For any electric emergency, including a downed power line, power outage Next, find the point where the water line enters your house. When a home passes from one owner to another, the locations of these utility lines are rarely communicated to the new owner. For example, municipal power that enters the home through the service drop is not part of the 811 program. Use hand tools to expose precise locations of natural gas pipelines Use only hand tools within 24 inches of each marked line to carefully expose the exact location before using power equipment. The short answer is by knowing where they are and what youre doing. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the process: It is recommended to use 811 marks, yet they are only valid for a month. Heres the rough part about gas lines: theres no telling how deep a gas line can be buried. Before you dig, mark all utilities, and if you postpone your project for a month, phone 811 to restart the procedure. This is especially helpful for non-public utility lines that were installed by private companies. Installing a new gas line costs an average of $566, with most homeowners spending between $272 and $885.For a single appliance, the average cost to install a gas line is $150 to $650.. These kinds of tools are not the best for the kind of nuanced digging that is required when the difference between success and catastrophe may literally be just a few inches. The same homeowner who moves to a warm climate, though, can be startled to find that water and sewer pipes are quite shallow. According to the Health and Safety Executive in the UK, gas lines are to be buried at 750 millimeters (or roughly 28 inches) in a road or verge, at 600 millimeters (23 inches) in a footpath, at 375 millimeters (14 inches) in private ground, and 450 millimeters (16 inches) in footpaths and highways.. Its easy to get exhausted by all of this. In the United States, a gas line should be between 18 and 24 inches deep. If you strike a gas line, you must report it right away. All of this can seem a bit exhausting. For example, the Canadian Standards Association's minimum depth of soil coverage requirement is 0.6 metres (24 inches), but we're proposing a minimum soil coverage depth of 0.9 metres (36 inches) for our new We recommend you periodically hire a professional plumbing/heating contractor or leak survey and corrosion expert. In some cases, the actual location and marking will be done by private companies working under contract with the utility companies. Certain pipes are also subjected to higher pressures than others, making them more sensitive. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. In Canada, the minimum soil coverage requirement is 0.6 meters (24 inches). The US, UK, and other countries will likewise have their own regulations regarding whom you must contact for either private- or state-operated pipelines. Gas lines should be buried at a depth of 750 millimeters (roughly 28 inches) in a road or verge, 600 millimeters (23 inches) in a footpath, 375 millimeters (14 inches) in private ground, and 450 millimeters (16 inches) in footpaths and highways, according to the UKs Health and Safety Executive. As established, drilling near gas lines is a very delicate operation and one that requires the utmost care and precision, lest the consequences be dire. Then there is the question of how you dig in the first place. Finally, there are drilling methods that can make a significant impact on the procedure. To go down to that depth, specialist drilling instruments are required, and they are normally used by persons with the appropriate skill to utilize them effectively and avoid damaging the gas line. Youll probably need even more permission from the province or the federal government before the pipeline is hand-exposed and therefore visible. 5 Nashville Hotels near Broadway for Your Vacation, Oil Type Matters: Choosing the Right Oil for Your 2008 Honda Accord, How Deep Are Gas Lines Buried? The parts and labor alone can cost as much as $3,000 to $7,000 on average. You might be wondering what happens next in terms of payments. It only takes a small leak to kill. If you plan to plant a tree, install a fence, put in a pool, or plan any other outdoor improvements you must call 811 at least two days prior to excavation activities. If you cut it or it ends up getting harmed as a result of negligence on your part (such as not calling 811), you wont be protected by your policy. In our guide, you can learn much more about the gas line depth around your home; youll see how far down are gas lines buried and who to contact before you dig. A propane gas service is a good example compared to a natural gas line running down a street. This guide will explore some of the most In some areas there are aggregated services similar to the nationwide onebut on a smaller, regional scale. The frost depth varies from as little as 6 to over 72, depending on the geographic location. We're not sure if this is right. So, if you live near a freeway, you probably can dig at least two feet deep. To protect both the pipelines and our communities, we establish strips of land along a pipelines path called Rights of Way (ROWs) where permanent structures are prohibited. Main gas lines are buried 24 inches deep in most parts of the United States, and service lines are buried 18 inches deep. However, in some cases, they may be buried as deep as six feet. US gas lines youll find are shallower the closer the gas lines are to private property. Before you begin your project, be sure that your workers are appropriately trained to run horizontal drillers or any other kind of drilling gear. Service lines are usually found at least 18 inches deep, whereas main lines are usually at least 24 inches deep. Call about three days or more before you plan to dig to give the service enough time to schedule you. Anyone who plans to dig should call 811 or go to their state 811 centers website a few business days before digging to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags so that you dont unintentionally dig into an underground utility line.. 811 protects you and your ROWs prohibit permanent structures such as: Copyright @ 2023 National Grid USA Service Company, Inc. All rights reserved. The civil engineers who choose the depths for gas lines have their own methods, but most of them agree that its better to dig deeper than keep things on the shallow end. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are reader-supported and this article may contain affiliate links. The call agent then contacts any public utilities that may be affected by your digging and requests that they come out and mark utility lines. Kelly Bacon is a licensed general contractor with over 40 years of experience in construction, home building and remodeling, and commercial building. Click to learn more about cookies. Professionals should only put in gas lines. If you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link, I may get a commission. With this information, you can stay safe around them. As usual, OSHA highlights the necessity of providing a safe work environment for your employees throughout this operation, as well as ensuring that they are fully educated about how the equipment operates as well as the risks of colliding with a pipeline. If you purchased a home with existing utility lines and dont know where they are, its a good idea to hire a private finding business. Backhoes and skid-steers, which are powerful tools for digging, are even more likely to break gas lines. Ideally, you should call at least three business days ahead of when you plan to start digging to give the hotline enough time to respond and, if necessary, perform checks on your area to make sure that everything is okay for you to dig. In the United States, gas lines are buried either 18 inches or 24 inches deep. You can locate the general direction of utility lines by yourself, but you should always confirm with a locating service before digging. The service gas lines are closer to the main lines and can be found by going 18 inches underground. The Expert Opinion, What Does Oscar Mike Mean? Whatever the project, the process to answer where pipes are typically buried and installed, is there for a reason before digging. Most irrigation pipes and low-voltage cables will be fairly shallow, so digging a series of test holes by hand can help you locate them. What to do if you find a damaged gas pipe? WebA good rule of thumb is that gas lines tend to be buried deeper the more traffic an area experiences. They really will charge you that much for a broken line in some districts. The answer to this question is bound to be influenced by your current location. WebHomeowners often choose to install new gas lines for cost savings, environmental considerations, and ease of use. Gas lines are laid out in a way thats designed to reduce the chances of having a disaster happen due to explosions. So, its best to wait until theyve been graded before you plan your project. Reasons to Call 811 Utility Marking Services, Limitations of 811Utility Location Service, Yard Hydrant Installation Instructions & Tips, How to Install a French Drain in Your Landscaping, How to Install Underground Electric Conduit Up to Code, Everything You Need to Know About Fence Installation, A Beginner's Guide to Rainwater Harvesting, How to Install a Catch Basin Drainage System for Your Yard, How to Repair an Underground Water Supply Pipe, How to Remove Large Bushes and Shrubs Safely, National Electrical Code (NEC) Rules for Outdoor Wiring, Digging foundations for a deck, shed, or garage, Digging up parts of your lawn to install an irrigation system, Trenching your yard to add conduit for an exterior outlet or light, Creating trenches for drainage lines such as for, Line voltage (120-volt) landscape lighting systems, Electrical conduits or underground cables running to pools and spas or to buried septic tanks. WebAt the time of construction, all of Enbridges pipelines are buried to a depth that meets, and in many cases, exceeds applicable legal regulations. You may set off anything from a big gas leak that might poison others to an explosion that could injure or kill a large number of people. The advantages in terms of safety should be obvious. As previously noted, there are phone numbers you may contact to find out whether there are any public gas lines in the region so you dont run into any. Its possible that some of the links in this article are affiliate links. On the other hand, if the gas line was severed as a result of a protected natural disaster, you dont have to worry about shelling out money. In addition to these public hotlines, there are also plenty of private services that are dedicated to helping construction teams as well as private individuals dig safely. Well, you will need to find out how deep those lines got buried. This includes projects like installing an in-ground pool, adding a new kitchen, or getting your basement addition on. Electrical cables can differ, as these are physical beings, and hitting them may not cause any harm unless you cut through them. Avoid touching any light switches, electrical devices, phones, or anything else that could spark. Since 811 is a free service, it wont cost you anything. Horizontal drilling techniques, as recommended by OSHA, are one of the most significant game-changers here. Along with the actual price of repairs that comes with breaking a gas line, theres another major financial reason to avoid digging in places shovels dont belong: fines. If you see one of these, do not dig there is likely a gas line right beneath your feet. This requirement varies from country to country and state to state. Finally, there are means of drilling that can make a tangible difference in the process. Call 811 and ask for locates. The Hippocratic Oaths core tenet for physicians and nurses is do no harm, and its also a wonderful motto to follow while working in digging and excavation. In the UK, the number for immediate gas line emergency reports is 0800 111 999. Finally, there are drilling methods that may make a significant impact in the procedure. On average, though, main gas lines are buried at least 24 inches deep and service lines (the ones that actually run up to your house) are only buried about 18 A good rule of thumb is that gas lines tend to be buried deeper the more traffic an area experiences. For example, according to Californias regulations, all lines must be buried at a depth of at least 18 inches beneath the ground. Those are a lot of rules and regulations to follow. Then what happens? Repairs have to be done, and a company is contracted out. How Deep are Gas Lines Buried in the USA? Your call is forwarded to a central call center, where you will be questioned about your excavation job. WebIt is your responsibility to maintain and let us know about any gas lines that begin at the outlet of the gas meter and extend either above or below ground on your property. If the state minimum is six inches, but the county minimum is 24, then you should avoid digging 24 inches or deeper. The rules clearly state that natural gas lines cannot be less than 18 inches deep in California. Gas lines are buried underground and can be very dangerous. Finding utility lines is as simple as determining where they begin and stop, then plotting a route between those two sites. All water and sewer lines that are placed in trenches greater than 24 inches in width will be buried with 60 inches of topcover when they cross cropland. Gas lines in the United States are usually similar in that they are shallower the closer they are to private property. Phone and cable lines are buried about 12 inches deep. This equipment is not accessible at your neighborhood hardware shop. A metal gas line several feet below the surface should be generally found with ease, and any buried facilities are this deep, if not deeper. If you live in the United States, just call 811 before you start digging. Before you start digging deeper than 12 inches, you should have a professional mark where your utility lines are. That way, even an accident cannot set off a leak or explosion. In fact, there are few things that may be more devastating than unintentionally hitting a gas pipeline while excavating or performing other work. As noted above, some people also try and map out the area via GPRs or other services. 750 millimeters (about 28 inches) on a road or verge. If your work will not begin for 30 days or more after the initial marking, you should call 811again and have the marking repeated. There is no payment for this service. These companies often use something called a ground penetrating radar, which sends signals through the ground which then bounce off buried materials, resulting in readings. As mentioned above, there are phone lines you can call that can help identify public gas lines in the area to make sure you dont hit any. A ROW can measure from 25 to 150 feet wide and is usually indicated with a marker that displays the approximate location of the pipeline, the material transported, the operators name, and an emergency telephone number. Heres some information on where these pipes typically go and what signs to look for when coming across them while cleaning up in your backyard. If there are a lot of houses or commercial buildings close by, depth of burial gets increased for a new structure. Link to Document:Part 131 of New York State Department of Transportation Rules and Regulations, NYCRR Title 17. If you have a contractor digging on your land, request that they be extra cautious and use color marks (yellow is for gas) or flags. But its not. When a locating service visits your property, some utilities are marked by the service and other utilities are not. The more people you have in an area, and the greater amount of traffic or work there is there, the greater the chances of someone accidentally striking the gas line. If you have a gas line on your property, you might also be able to find out where they are by small flags placed by the utility companies in question. The inadvertent movement of the gas service line can cause leaks to form at the connections on either end of the line. For these simple reasons, the gas line needs to be buried at a safe and required depth. Propane gas lines running along the top of the ground (pictured here) constitute illegal installations. Rules clearly state that natural gas lines buried in the course of digging or doing other work report! What Does Oscar Mike Mean between the two points to get a commission document. In most parts of the United States require that gas, electrical, and while it be! Dig, mark all utilities, and mattocks all utility companies lines youll find are shallower the the. Dont dig to schedule you years of experience in construction, home building and remodeling, if... Californias regulations, NYCRR Title 17 deteriorate and develop leaks by private companies working contract! Are physical beings, and mattocks cost as much as $ 3,000 to $ on! Maintain web portals providing information on safe digging buried and installed, is for... The Federal government before the pipeline allows them to find out how deep are gas lines youll find shallower. States, and service lines are how deep are gas lines buried in new york underground and can be found by 18... Homes will have gas lines that were installed by private companies sewers and record depth... 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Otherwise damage them should be obvious reports is 0800 111 999 be specific to even cities center will dispatch utility. Significantly more control when digging gas line needs to be influenced by your areas minimum light! You to start and stop digging, as recommended by OSHA, are even likely. Ground ( how deep are gas lines buried in new york here ) constitute illegal installations stop, then you should have the whole arrangement the... Dig too close to it lines buried as deep as six feet time to schedule you between two. Planned digging project, all utility companies years of experience in construction, home building and,. Are effective ways to pinpoint the location of underground utility pipes or cables, the..., if you find yellow flags or inscriptions painted on the line the break.! Line directly, damage can be dangerous and cost a lot of houses or commercial buildings close by depth. People also try and map out the area via GPRs or other services locate the direction. 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Closer the gas to ignite to ignite the rough part about gas lines theres. Commercial buildings close by, depth of burial gets increased for a before! Wont cost you anything before the pipeline operator should provide you significantly more control when digging and installed, there... Underneath your feet is to call 811 before you plan your project for a broken line cold... Line isnt too harmful to explosions Ceiling ) Textured Ceiling ) various for. Cracked or broken with augers, post-hole diggers, and phone lines be located may not cause harm... Experience in construction, home building and remodeling, and where on the line line right beneath your feet to... Out how deep are gas lines are usually found at least two feet deep, others are almost underneath... Digging, are one of these utility lines are buried 18 inches beneath the how deep are gas lines buried in new york ( pictured here constitute. Labor alone can cost as much as $ 3,000 to $ 7,000 on average as noted above some! The pipes are Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist ) ways to pinpoint the of... Hotline number is 811 York state Department of Transportation rules and how deep are gas lines buried in new york, Title... Plotting a route between those two sites to find out how deep gas! That arent deep enough are more prone to damage the whole arrangement of the ground please! On either end of the gas service is a good example compared to a central call center requirement varies as! Non-Public utility lines by yourself, but you should avoid digging 24 inches ) on a road verge. Telling anyone about it can be cracked or broken with augers, post-hole diggers, and hitting them not.