Gas line maintenance

FortisBC maintains your home’s gas meter and service line that runs from the street onto your property. As a property owner, you're responsible for maintaining the gas line that extends past the meter into your home, and any lines that may run underground to detached buildings, pools or outdoor appliances like barbecues or patio heaters.

Have gas lines on your property inspected regularly

Have a licensed gas contractor, or leak inspector, inspect your buried gas lines to ensure they’re functioning safely and efficiently. This could be done at the same time as you’re having regular maintenance on your gas appliances. Check your owners’ manuals to find out how often your appliances should be serviced, and use our online directory to find a licensed gas contractor in your community.

Prevent tree roots from damaging gas lines

If you’re planting a new tree on your property, here are some tips to avoid having to cut down or trim your tree later on:

  • Before you dig, call BC One Call to find out where gas lines and other buried utilities are, so you can avoid planting trees near them or damaging underground equipment. This service is fast, free and required by law.
  • Once you know where the gas lines are, plant trees where they and their roots will maintain a safe distance from the gas line when fully grown. Make sure they will not be near overhead power lines, either. 
  • When planning what to plant, consider how far both the roots and the vegetation may spread and if that may present a hazard to nearby utility lines. 

Keep trees and plants from becoming hazards

We regularly survey our system to identify trees, bushes and other plants that present a risk to power lines and natural gas lines. Trees growing over or near gas lines – including ones on private property – can interfere with routine maintenance surveys and potentially damage the protective coating on buried pipe. If we find potentially hazardous vegetation, we hire skilled, trained contractors to safely trim or remove it.