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Message |
    
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 208
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 2:54 pm: | 
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Is there a simple way to see if you have a gas leak? (ie brushing on soapy water or something) I continually get the hint of gas in my basement, and the plumber I called to check it out blew through the service call in 10 minutes and found nothing (charged me $140), while the second plumber I called simply held a match to the suspected pipe (again nothing, but charged nothing).
Smelled it again this weekend, and I want to test for myself to be sure, but there's no way in H*LL that I'm holding a match to the pipe....Any suggestions? |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 1730
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 3:02 pm: |
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Thats a ridiculous way for a "professional" to look for a gas leak.
I called -- maybe a year ago -- was sure there was a gas leak. Both PSEG & plumber came -- each had a hand held "sniffer" -- could detect no gas.
Using a match to detect a gas leak? Hope *his* insurance is paid up...
Bottom line, if you are concerned, have PSEG come out -- they'll check no charge. (you are right about the soapy water/brush -- but what if the leak is inside your furnace or water heater?...you won't detect it then)
/p |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10377
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 3:07 pm: |
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PSE&G takes gas leaks seriously. The lawsuits that result from gas explosions are so expensive to settle. I would call them.
It is also possible that you have an incomplete combustion issue with your boiler or water heater and a leak in the exhaust piping. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 209
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 3:21 pm: |
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Pete, is this a service call that needs to be arranged with PSEG (ie , and is there a fee to have them come out and check?)
It's one of those situations like a rattle in the engine, that stops rattling when you take it to the mechanic.... |
David Cataneo
Citizen
Username: Dave_cataneo
Post Number: 105
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 3:39 pm: |
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Try this: take a clean spray bottle and fill 1/2 way with water. Pour in a few tablespoons of dishwashing liquid soap - don't be cheap with it. Shake a couple of times, just to dissolve the soap, and spray a fine mist over all the exposed fittings. Pay extra attention to the flexible gas connectors behind your stove and dryer, as well as the shutoff valves to the appliances, water heater and boiler. Also spray the seams and fittings of your gas meter. If you have a very small leak, you might get a foam around the leak, as opposed to big bubbles. If in doubt, wipe the soap off and reapply until you're sure. The problem with calling PSEG is - most of the time they will confirm you have a leak, they may or may not locate it, and then they lock the gas meter and tell you to call a plumber, who now has to fill your pipes with compressed air and go searching for the leak all over again, without benefit of the gas odor. Fun stuff. Oh, And don't forget to wipe all the soap solution off the pipes when you're done.
Happy hunting. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 1732
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 4:33 pm: |
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SJ --
David is right -- PSEG will verify that there is a leak, not fix it. (which is why I also called my plumber).
PSEG does not charge to come out (and its not park of a package, either) -- they'll be right there if you say "I smell gas!"
(oh, and if you happen to run out when they come, they will shut the gas off!)
When this happened to me, both PSEG and plumber said it could well be a dead critter in the flue. If so, I assume the bird/squirrel bones are now ashes in the sky!
Pete
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Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 212
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 4:42 pm: |
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thanks |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 471
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 11:34 pm: |
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Quick answer:
We sometimes attach a gauge to the gas pipe and pressurize the system. If the gauge shows a reduction in pressure over a specific time period, you definitely have a leak.
Master Plvmber |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 217
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 8:46 am: |
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Alright, PSEG was out, no reading, so they declared me safe. I'll SWEAR I smell gas down there, but I suppose it's small enough not to be a danger. Could this be from the pilot light on the Water Heater/Boiler?
Also, if I need to replace 50' of non-code copper pipe (some plumber thought this would suffice for gas lines to the outside, and to the Fireplace) with code Black Pipe, how involved a job is this?
I've been newly awakened to the needs of my gas lines. |
Jennifer Pickett
Citizen
Username: Jpickett
Post Number: 146
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 10:55 am: |
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Smarty,
Some CO detectors have natural gas detection as well, that could give you peace of mind. Perhaps there is some other thiol smell in your basement- do you have volatile solvents that could be the source (sometimes also spiked with mercaptans)? Are there any open drains? I also am very sensitive to gas smell, this would drive me crazy also. Our water heater/bioler pilot lights do not smell unless they are out. |
David Cataneo
Citizen
Username: Dave_cataneo
Post Number: 106
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 4:43 pm: |
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If you have an older elctronic ignition gas valve on your boiler, you may smell the gas to the pilot that opens before ignition. This can release a small amount of unignited gas into the room. It wouldn't be detected unless you were testing at the time of boiler start-up. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 279
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 7:57 pm: |
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PSEG came out that one time, no luck....1 week goes by, we get the smell again...PSEG returns and BINGO....found the leak. Right off of the PSEG Gas box in the basement. Anyway,, anybody know the brand that has the Gas detector along with the CO detector? This whole experience has me a little concerned. |
Jennifer Pickett
Citizen
Username: Jpickett
Post Number: 154
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 8:46 am: |
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I'm sorry, I don't remember the brand (ours was too sensitive anyway, causing us to ignore the alarm). I bought ours in Michigan, and haven't seen it around Home Depot- there are several available online, though. Good thing you trusted your nose and were persistent!
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