Gas Leaks: Finding and What to Do

Gas distribution systems in houses are the same for natural and propane gasses. Just like the best plumbing that has been trouble free for years can for no apparent reason develop a leak, so too can gas piping. The one difference is that with water, the pipe itself will often spring a leak whereas that is extremely rare for gas piping.
With gas piping it’s primarily the unions (a large nut like connector) that leaks. Pipe connections on black iron (steel) pipe can leak, but it is less common, they are a threaded connector joining straight pipes, right angles and T-shaped connectors.
Gas pipe connections are most commonly sealed with pipe dope (a paste) and sometimes with Teflon tape (pink for gas) Flexible CSST gas lines have a lot less connectors which dramatically reduces the likelihood for potential leaks.

If you think you smell gas do not ignore it. You should call a plumber (gas lines are a plumbing issue) or your gas supplier, who will check it for you (generally) at no charge, the down side is that they may shut off your gas until repairs are made by a plumber, they will NOT make repairs to homeowner piping.

Do not use a flame to check for leaks: there is no point in lighting a flame thrower inside your house!
If you have kids get a bottle of their “bubble juice”,  apply it to the suspected area with a spray bottle or paint brush and look for bubbles after a few seconds or up to a good minute for a very slow leak.

If you find a leak go back up the pipe and shut off the supply to that section of piping or piece of equipment, if the leak is on a main pipe (the large pipe about as big as your hand will just go around) you will need to shut off the gas at the meter, below or beside the meter there is a valve with a flat bar type handle usually aliened with the pipe. Using a wrench give it a half turn so that bar on the valve is now pointing across the pipe which cuts off the gas flow.
If its propane the shutoff is located at the tank and easily turned off by hand.
NOTE: We offer optional gas leak testing with our home inspections.