Gas lines are an important part of any residential home. However, there can also be dangers associated with those gas lines. This is why it is important when any gas work, installation or refitting is performed, it must be done by a qualified professional. Your life depends on the work of that professional.
Guide to Gas Leak Detection & Repair
Gas Pipe is often used for heating system, hot water heater, stove/over, as well as for fireplaces, because of this when there is a problem it is imperative to locate and solve the problem quickly and easily. In-House Plumbing Company can help do this.
Gas Leak Test
A Gas leak test can be performed to determine if the gas system is leaking. We install a special pressure gauge assembly on the gas riser at the meter, then pump air into the gas system. At that point we watch the gauge meter for a period of time typically 15 minutes to verify that the gauge hand is not moving. This method tests the entire gas system, which is the yard service and house service. Sometimes we can also take the gas line apart at the house and install the pressure gauge assembly there to just test what is in the house.
Gas Leak Detection
In-House Plumbing Company can detect for leaks, using several different methods. We can isolate the leak to the house or yard in many cases by shutting the gas off to the house at the shut off valve. If it is determined to be in the yard gas service, there are a few fittings we can check with soap bubbles to check for escaping air, however if those fittings are not leaking, it will then be necessary to replace the entire underground yard service to repair the leak(s).
If the leak is determined to be the house, we can again use soap bubbles to check for escaping are on the gas lines in the attic, under a pier and beam home, or at the gas hook-ups. If the gas is still on to the a home and there is a leak, and in some situations even if the gas has been turned off, we may be able to use a special gas leak locator that sniffs for gas leaking, to pin point a gas leak area. Either way, once the leak is located we can develop the best plan of action for repairs.
Gas Leak Repairs
In many cases this step will require that a permit is pulled with your particular city municipality. Once that is done, or it is determined it is not necessary, we can begin the necessary procedures to repair the gas leak. A leak found inside the home, will in many cases require that the pipe is taken apart and reconnected to stop the leak, leaks found above ground on the outside will typically require the same thing, however leaks determined to be outside underground will typically require some sort of excavation, whether it be trenching or boring in order to replace that gas plumbing line.
If a permit is required, it will also require in many cases that the gas system be brought up to current building code standards, if this is necessary, this will also be done at the repair stage. Once the repairs and possible code upgrades are completed, we will call if for an inspection with your city, and they will schedule a day (typically the next day) to come and inspect the work.
Gas Leak Questions
Below are some possible questions you may have about gas leaks, with answers to those questions, if your question is not listed here, please feel free to contact out office for the answer to your questions.
In a normal situation this means that you will not have to have a pressure test performed on the gas service, to determine if there are any leaks. Once the test is performed, any leaks repaired and any code violations upgraded, then you city will have to inspect the job. Once the city inspects the job and approves it, then the city will release your house to the gas company for the gas company to come back out and turn the gas back on. You will have to call and schedule the gas to be turned back on as the city only informs the gas company that the gas is approved to be turned back on.
See answer to question A in this section.
Because of the danger involved with gas leaks, it is always our recommendation to err on the side of caution and call 911 and/or the gas company to have them come out and shut off the gas immediately. Once the gas is shut off, the gas company will then inform you that you will need to call a licensed plumber to have them test, detect and repair the leak(s).
In the old days all gas systems, both in the yard and in the house where typically black galvanized pipe. The problem with this pipe is exposed to water it deteriorates over time, so any house that still has this type of pipe underground in the yard, will be replacing it in the near future. These days, a new rolled poly pipe, which is a plastic pipe, (it typically comes in orange or yellow colors) is used in the yard. Black Pipe/Galvanized pipe is still used in the house in many cases. There is also a new type of flexible pipe for inside use. One brand name of that pipe is GasTite.
Gas leaks are a huge deal, one small gas leak that is in the right place, or is allowed to continue to leak for a longer period of time can cause gas to build up in an area, and one small spark can cause a serious explosion. Some may remember somewhere around 2001/2002 a house explosion in Garland, Texas or in 2006 a house explosion in Wylie, Texas, both of these were due to gas leaks. It is a very big deal, and is nothing to play around with. This is also the reason that the State of Texas, gas companies and cities have implemented the procedures listed in the answer to question A of this section in dealing with these problems.
We strongly recommend against this, as it is a major safety and liability issue for yourself and others in your neighborhood. See also the answer to question E of this section for more reasons why you should never attempt to fix a gas leak yourself. Again if you have any other questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact our office, and we will be more than happy to help you in any way we can.
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