Is There a Gas Leak Detector?
As a property owner, there are few things as stressful as a gas line leak. Not only are you concerned with damage to your house, but there’s also a significant safety concern around gas leaks. When you suspect a leak, you need to get professional help as soon as possible. Most plumbing services and other companies that deal with leak prevention and repair has a gas leak helpline you can call in an emergency. Are gas leaks expensive to fix? How do you test a gas line for leaks? We’ll cover this and more while we explore how gas line leaks are repaired.
There are commercially available gas leak detectors that you can install or use in your home to test for leaks. Some of them require plugs and others are handhelds. There are also things you can do without a detector to identify leaks. How do you know if you have a gas leak? Here are some signs you could be dealing with one:
- The Smell of Rotten Eggs – If you smell something foul or that smells like sulfur, it’s a good chance that gas is leaking somewhere in the house.
- Bubbles in Water – Gas can get inside your water system and come out as bubbles in your toilet or bath. If you see regular bubbles coming out of drains, then call for repair help.
- Dead Houseplants – Have you noticed that all of a sudden, your plants are all dying even though you’re still watering them? If gas is coming into your house, your plants could be an early casualty.
- Damaged Gas Pipe – This one’s a bit obvious, but if you see signs of actual damage to your gas line or another gas pipe, then you could be dealing with a leak.
- Hissing Sounds Near Gas Line – Odds are you won’t see a gas leak. There may be a white cloud or dust cloud near the gas line that indicates a leak. You’re more likely to hear the hissing sound of gas escaping the pipe though.
- Higher Gas Bills – A sudden spike in your gas bill could indicate a gas leak.
The bottom line is that anytime you see or hear or smell anything off with your stove or other gas appliances, you can’t take the possibility of a leak off the table until a specialist comes. They’ll test the gas line for leak damage and any other concerns.
Are Gas Leaks Expensive to Fix?
The cost to fix a gas line leak varies. On average, it’s going to cost between $200 and $800. That’s a wide range, but the total repair cost will depend on where the leak is and how complex the repair will be. Some repairs can cost thousands of dollars if extensive excavation is required. How far down is a gas line? Typically, they’ll be 24 inches, or two feet, underground. As with most home improvement jobs, the biggest factors in cost are labor and materials. If the leak is a spot leak in an easy to get to spot, then repairs will be straightforward. However, if you’re dealing with a gas line that was poorly installed, the contractor will likely have to deal with reinstalling your entire line. That will increase repair costs.
The Process
Here’s what will happen when a gas line professional comes to your property for a gas line leak check. How do you test a gas line for leaks? Let’s explore.
The repair technician will inspect your gas line to find the exact location of your leak. It might be necessary to dig up the gas line in your backyard or other location. Your contractor will need to be able to adhere to local building codes to make sure any work is approved. They’ll look for all of the above signs of leaks as well as look for any spots of dead grass outside that could pinpoint the leak.
How do you test a gas line for leaks? Well, they can use a soap and water solution to coat the outside of the pipe. Then, they’ll turn on the gas and look for bubbles coming up in the soap. That’s a good indicator that a specific area of your pipe leaks. This can be done over and over again across your gas line until no bubbles appear and all leaks have been eliminated.
Once they’ve found the leak, they’ll get to repairing the damaged portion of the pipe. Any gas line repair should be done by an experienced professional with the proper safety equipment and tools to get the job done correctly.
Who Is Responsible for Gas Leaks?
Some property owners understandably wonder who’s responsible for handling a gas line leak. After all, there’s a chance that it happens due to no fault of your own. Unless something happens like a contractor damages your gas line during a project, then it’s the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain and repair your gas line. That includes the portion of the gas line that runs from the utility all the way to your appliances.
If you’re worried about a gas line leak, get peace of mind by calling a leak repair service that can help. They’ll be able to get to you quickly and take care of any leaks and make sure your gas line is good to go. Need gas line leak repair in St Louis, MO? Call the experts at Flow King Rooter when you dial 314-348-7503.