A "Gas" Explosion

No gardening project is as easy as it sounds. I simply wanted to extend a small privacy fence by ten feet. I bought the cedar planks and posts at the lumber yard. Hired a carpenter to cut and install. But as the carpenter started digging the first post hole, he screamed, "GAS!" I ran over to see what had happened (being really brave or really stupid). As the white, frosty smoke rose from the hole, I realized it was not propane, but freon leaking from the air conditioner pipes. Less than a foot from the surface!

I thought I knew where all the utility lines were. And over the years, I have an intimate knowledge of the irrigation pipe placement, having cut many while planting. But in my rush, I never thought about the freon lines. Let this be a lesson to us all. Map out ALL utility lines at some point or have a professional marking service do this for you. In the Hamptons, you can call Precision Mark-Outs

The carpenter was sent home and the air conditioning service called in. They thought it would be a simple patch job. However, I explained that, for aesthetic reasons, the post had to remain where planned while the pipes had to be redirected. As they went to get their shovels, I heard one serviceman grumble to his colleague, "You ready to do some landscaping today?"

Have You Seen My Neighbors?

Beach Patrol