Restoring your property after gas/electric line work
Since natural gas/electric lines are buried, digging will be necessary during the process of gas/electric line work. We may even need to dig on your property to provide safe and reliable service at your home or business.
It is our responsibility to repair or replace any portions of streets, sidewalks, driveways, yards, landscaping, etc. disrupted by our work. This will take some time, but we promise to put things back in order when we’re done. Our goal is to restore everything as close to its original condition as possible after our work is completed.
Work zone safety tips
- Stay safe by keeping children and pets away from construction areas.
- Respect the flags and paint markings that indicate the types of utilities that lie underground.
- Do not park in marked construction zones. Parking times will be listed if restricted times if restrictions apply.
- Drive carefully in and around construction zones.
- Follow the direction of traffic signs and on-site crew.
Restoration work
During gas/electric line work, your property may require temporary patching and/or permanent paving work and lawn repair.
Temporary Patching
Our goal is to ensure the work zone is safe and accessible until permanent repairs can be made. While work is ongoing, we may put a temporary patch on your streets and sidewalks.
Permanent paving and concrete
Once the gas/electric line work is complete, our contractor will begin the permanent replacement or repair on your streets and sidewalks. We will work with your community to repair with similar surfaces. For example, concrete will be replaced with concrete and asphalt will be replaced with asphalt, according to community codes. This work could take several weeks to complete after the replacement work is done, but the schedule may be extended by weather conditions and other factors.
Lawn repair
Once the work is completed, lawn repair will begin as soon as weather permits. This may include:
- Filling in holes with dirt
- Leveling the area
- Laying down topsoil
- Reseeding the grass/sod
- Replacing plants and flower beds
Please make sure to water your grass to encourage desired results. Do not mow the repaired grass area until it has reached a height of 3 to 3 1/2 inches tall.
Need more information?
- Check for any information that our employees or contractors may have left for you at your property.
- Review the FAQs below.
- Contact us by completing the form at the bottom of the page.
FAQs - What to expect during property restoration
Why is NIPSCO digging in my yard?
Because natural gas/electric lines are buried, digging in the ground is a required part of our process to provide you with safe, reliable service. This digging usually involves heavy construction equipment like directional boring machines, trenchers, trucks, trailers and more to get the job done. We will try to minimize the amount of digging required when possible.
Thank you for your response.
How much of my property will be affected?
We will try to minimize the amount of digging required. If we disturb your yard, sidewalk and/or driveway, we will repair affected areas as soon as weather permits. Initial restoration, such as leveling of surfaces, will be completed as the work progresses.
Thank you for your response.
How long will restoration take?
We appreciate your patience and recognize the importance of restoring your property. Many factors, including inclement weather and time of year, can impact the schedule of our restoration projects. The colder winter months may delay completion of the work until the spring. Our goal is to complete these projects in a timely manner and minimize your inconvenience.
Thank you for your response.
How will you restore my property to its original condition?
At the start of the gas line work, we document your property’s current state. We may even capture photos or video footage. We evaluate property damage on a case-by-case basis.
Thank you for your response.
How will I know who's doing the work?
All NIPSCO employees can be identified by marked vehicles and also carry company-issued photo ID. Contractors may also be used to complete the restoration work.
Thank you for your response.
Why hasn’t my property been fully restored?
Thank you for your response.
Who is responsible for restoring my property?
Thank you for your response.
Who is responsible for repairing my private underground utilities like sprinklers or underground drains?
- Wells/water lines
- Sanitary sewer
- Phone
- Electric
- Drain, Field Tile, Dry Well
- Gas, fuel, oil line
- Septic tank /field
- Irrigation/sprinklers
- Buried structure/tank
- Invisible fence
Thank you for your response.
What are erosion and sedimentation controls and why are they on my property?
Erosion and sedimentation controls or Best Management Practices (BMPs) are used to prevent surface runoff and water erosion of disturbed soils during construction activities. NIPSCO is required to install BMPs as part of local, state, or federal environmental regulations and stormwater management programs. Some examples of these controls you may see include compost filter sock, inlet protection, and erosion control blanket. These controls are installed prior to construction activities to prevent soils from leaving the work area until vegetation can be re-established.
You may see these controls still in place after construction activities have been completed. NIPSCO is required to provide this protection of the disturbed areas until vegetation has been restored. Our inspectors will continue to monitor the progress of restoration until the site is stabilized in accordance with our permit requirements and these controls can be removed.
Thank you for your response.
How can I identify the markings on my property?
Thank you for your response.
How long do the markings need to stay on my property?
Thank you for your response.
FAQs - Lawn care and maintenance
Do I need to water my grass?
- Water twice daily for 1 month. In the summer months, more watering is needed if there are very hot and/or dry weather conditions
- Do not mow the repaired grass area until it has reached a height of 3 to 3 ½ inches tall.
- Keep off the grass until after the repaired area has been mowed at least once.
Thank you for your response.
Will you use the same grass seed as what I currently have planted?
Thank you for your response.
Does the temperature or time of year change how my grass will grow?
Thank you for your response.
Where should I place my landscaping?
First and foremost, always call 811 before you dig and begin your project to have your utilities marked. It fast, it’s free, and it’s the law.
- Never plant (other than grass) directly above your underground utility service lines
- Keep the service line and meter accessible so our technicians can get to it in case of an emergency or maintenance
- Avoid putting any semi-permanent or permanent structures near your utility lines or in a right-of-way.
- Shrubs
- Trees
- Boulders
- Fences
- Retaining walls
- Patios
- Sheds
- Driveways or service entrances
- Plant during the right time of the year. Planting grass, trees, bushes or shrubs in the late spring, summer and early fall is usually your best chance at success. The cold and unpredictable weather in the late fall, winter or early spring may be challenging to get the grass and plants to grow.
Thank you for your response.
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Color codes for utility markings
