My post hole digger hit a gas line in Austin last Tuesday

Was putting up a 6 foot privacy fence in a client's backyard near Zilker Park. I was maybe 18 inches down when the auger kicked back hard and I heard that hissing sound. Turned out the utility map they gave me was off by 4 feet. Had to call 811, wait 3 hours for an emergency crew, and now I'm out half a day's pay plus a fine. Anyone else dealt with utility lines being way off from the marked spot?

2 comments

2 Comments

terryrobinson1mo ago

My buddy Mike in Round Rock had the exact same thing happen last summer. He was digging fence posts for his own backyard and the gas line marker was off by a good 6 feet. The auger kicked back so hard it almost threw him off balance. He had the 811 crew come out and they fined him 500 bucks even though the map was wrong. Took them 4 hours to get there too so he just sat there watching the hole. He still jokes about how that fence cost him way more than he planned.

-1

harris.emma1mo ago

MAN that stinks! It's SO frustrating when the markers are wrong and then YOU get stuck with the fine. I've heard similar stories from a few people and it always seems like the homeowner ends up paying for someone else's mistake. Four hours just sitting there waiting is RIDICULOUS, I'd be fuming. Honestly it makes you wonder how reliable the whole system really is if this happens that often.