​​Restoration Practices

Effective restoration services, we strive to repair and restore

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Introduction: Repairs or replacement of CenterPoint Energy’s underground utilities are sometimes necessary to keep natural gas flowing to our Minnesota customers. We strive to repair and restore streets and grass disturbed by CenterPoint Energy to as close as possible to their original states, and are committed to completing restoration work quickly, and to a high standard in compliance with all laws. Restoration work is typically done by our authorized contractor, Q3 Contracting, after the utility work is completed.


CenterPoint Energy’s Tip for Watering Lawns during Drought

8/13/2021

During the current drought in Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy advises residents to water their lawns in the early morning. According to WCCO 4 News, watering lawns between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. is ideal for the lawns to retain moisture. Watering during the evening can cause soggy lawns prone to moss, weeds, and disease. 


Spring, Sum​​mer and Fall Restoration

Timely repairs: A number of factors can impact the restoration schedule, including the type and extent of the project, the location a​nd the weather. During the spring, summer and fall, our goal is to complete restoration work in the metro area within five to seven days, and in outstate Minnesota in seven to ten days. For projects completed in late fall, restoration will be completed the following spring. Restoration is not done on new construction job sites or when utility work is done in conjunction with city initiated street replacement projects.

Hard and soft surface restoration: CenterPoint Energy requires the highest quality restoration materials, including seed, blacktop and concrete. When repairing a street or sidewalk (hard surface), the utility crew fills in the bell hole, and the final restoration is done by a separate contractor that specializes in hard surface restoration. Boulevard and yard (soft surface) restoration is done by a separate contractor that specializes in soft surface restoration.

Below is an example of hard and soft surface restoration in a neighborhood. There is a new concrete panel on the sidewalk. On either side are sections of biodegradable netting on newly-restored lawns.



Below is an example of a concrete panel restored on a residential road.



Seed versus sod: There are a number of advantages to using seed versus sod when restoring yards and boulevards when doing soft surface restoration. Repairs made with black dirt and seed provide for a naturally non-transplanted repair that requires less maintenance and far less watering (15 minutes per day versus twice a day for sod). The grass seeds germinate in seven to 14 days, after which the roots grow down as the blades of grass grown up, providing for a sturdier and more stable restoration.

Below is an example of biodegradable netting placed over a newly-restored section of lawn.



After time, the grass grows through the biodegradable netting, creating a sustainable lawn.



Communication and follow up: We understand the importance of working closely with customers and city representatives, including city inspectors and permit officials, to minimize the potential disruption and inconvenience. We’re committed to providing information and scheduling updates as necessary to keep city staff and our customers informed when construction and restoration work is taking place in your community. ​

Please visit our Construction Zone​ page for updates on our high-profile projects. The restoration crews typically leave a door tag with CenterPoint Energy’s logo to instruct customers on how to maintain their newly-restored lawns after construction. Click here for an example of a CenterPoint Energy restoration door tag.

Winter Restoration

CenterPoint Energy’s restoration policy is to restore any surfaces affected by CenterPoint Energy’s construction to their original condition. After a construction project is finished in cold weather, CenterPoint Energy’s crews will temporarily or permanently restore these areas depending on the temperature and the availability of materials.

What does hard surface winter restoration look like?
Depending on the hard surface, CenterPoint Energy crews will apply asphalt or concrete restoration to the areas affected by CenterPoint Energy’s construction. If the temperature is unconducive to concrete restoration, the crews will apply asphalt to the affected surface. The crews will return in the spring to replace the asphalt with the appropriate permanent materials.



What does soft surface winter restoration look like?
If temperatures aren’t conducive for planting grass, CenterPoint Energy’s restoration crews will apply winter erosion control. Any holes created by CenterPoint Energy’s crews in boulevards during construction will be backfilled with dirt and protected with matting. In spring, the crews will return to place new black dirt and grass seed in these areas. 

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