Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a jam with my nearly 100-year-old house. My gas stove stopped working, so I replaced it, but then I noticed a gas smell throughout the house. After some checking around, I found out there's a leak in the gas line. I've ensured that all the valves are shut off, but the test meter indicates there's still gas escaping. My father-in-law thinks the old line under the house might've corroded and cracked during the installation. I've been told by a few folks that I should just replace all the pipes under the house, but that sounds expensive and I can't afford it. I know enough to do the work myself since I have experience with pipes and a gas leak detector. I'm stuck between the idea of cutting a hole in the floor to inspect the pipe or just going ahead and replacing everything. Does anyone have experience with gas lines or DIY solutions for situations like this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Before doing major work, you should pressure test the system to see how bad the leak is. Cap off the regulators and pump it up to 15 psi for about 15 minutes. This way, you can confirm there's a leak or if it’s just the old pipes needing replacement. But just know that if you find one bad joint, there could be more waiting to be discovered!
Safety first! If there's a suspected gas leak, it’s wise to call the fire department. They can help assess the situation. But if you’ve already turned off the main and know how to work the meter, then you should be okay to inspect the pipes. Just make sure to prioritize your safety throughout the process!
I appreciate the concern, but I’ve got this under control. I really just want input on the pipes!
If you suspect a leak, one approach is to run a new pipe around the outside of the house instead of trying to fix the old one. It might be a lot easier than crawling under the house, especially if access is tough. Just make sure whatever you do meets local code.
I thought about running it outside too, but people warned me it’s a bad idea. Not sure why, would love to hear more on that!
That makes sense! Will this also help identify if the gas company is responsible for the problem?