How to Check for a Gas Leak: 7 Tools and Methods

Table of Content

• How to Prevent a Gas Stove Leak
• What To Do if You Suspect a Gas Leak
• Try the soapy water test.
• Remove Flammable Material
• My water smells
• Extra Safety Tip

Deploy achlorine detector and clean-up kitand keep yourself and your team safe from chlorine gas contamination. Take the necessary precautions and make sure you are not exposed. Once this is complete, it is time to tighten the high-pressure gas line's fittings. Check the angle of the gas lines to ensure they're right so the high-pressure line doesn't disrupt the low-pressure line. The Airthings Corentium Home Radon Detector 223 is a lightweight, portable radon detector that is battery operated.

Although it may be inconvenient at times, pressure testing existing lines is an important part of property management — whether you’re a homeowner or landlord. This allows you to replace the system before a serious gas leak occurs. But, your standard electronic gas detector can be counted on to emit a loud alarm whenever the smallest gas leak is detected. This is the type of device most of the professional range and stove service professionals will use.

How to Prevent a Gas Stove Leak

With this device, you can trace gas leaks indoors or outdoors. Locate the gas main valve near your main gas meter, usually found on the side of your building or in a cabinet inside. Turn the valve so it’s perpendicular to the gas pipes to turn it off. Typically, this is caused by hot water sitting in your tank for too long.

For this reason, it is important to call in a specialist when detecting and repairing leaks you can’t address yourself. If the flex pipe seems to be fine, move your search to the cut-off valve, also inspect the controller valves on the stove, range and oven. There is also a valve in the oven that is controlled by a thermostat as well as several internal connections that could be leaking. Finally, check the pilot light connections if this type are in use. If you suspect that there’s a gas leak, contact the utility company’s emergency service hotline immediately. If there’s a suspected gas leak, your priority is to evacuate everyone in the house.

What To Do if You Suspect a Gas Leak

Ever hop into the shower only to get blasted by a stream of freezing water? Or maybe your hot water fizzles out halfway through and you're left shivering as you wash the last streaks of shampoo out of your hair. Or maybe you walk into your basement and step into a small lake that's formed around the base of your water heater. ♦ Next, spray the entire valve, regulator and hose assembly with the soapy water.

Detaching the line is required in order to complete any repairs. If there is no other obvious reason for the tree/plant problem and they are near or on top of a buried gas line, it is worth getting it checked with a gas detector. Leaking gas from a small opening may cause a hissing noise. Most people describe the smell as either rotten eggs or rotten cabbage.

Try the soapy water test.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Hunter Rising is a wikiHow Staff Writer based in Los Angeles. He has more than three years of experience writing for and working with wikiHow.

As discussed, malfunctioning units may generate carbon monoxide, due to incomplete combustion. A blue flame is one indication of proper function and complete combustion. So, call a gas fitter for a service call as soon as possible.

Remove Flammable Material

You can sometimes get smells like skunk which smells of gas leaks. This is also due to methyl mercaptan, which has been used to detect gas leaks. The mercaptan skunk spray mixed with natural gas is chemically similar to butyl mercaptan in compound form, which carries extremely strong sulfur compounds. If you suspect the smell is a skunk or gas leak, call 911 without delay.

You can find Kaz in HuffPost, SheKnows, Lifehack, and much more. Her degree in education and her background as a teacher and a parent make her uniquely suited to offer practical advice on creating safe environments for your family. Once this is done, tighten the high pressure line’s fittings. This is your first step, and most important when working with gas.

Use either special leak detector solution or, in a pinch, use thick soapy water. Apply this solution to the connections between the cylinder valve and the regulator outlet. When properly installed, a gas stove is easy and convenient to use. A precise way to identify a gas leak is to install a carbon monoxide or natural gas detector in your kitchen. However, it’s prone to gas leaks which can cause negative reactions in humans and pets.

You should always inspect the regulator for damage, paying special attention to the connector, which screws into the gas bottle. In many cases, the main connection is just not sufficiently tightened. Dirt or damage to the connectors are also common causes of leaks. Kaz is a journalist who covers home security, parenting, and community and child safety. Her work and product testing in the security and safety field spans the past four years.