A leaking gas line can be alarming. It can also be dangerous if left unattended, especially if you have small children at home. However, not all gas line leaks are visible. In fact, only about 11% of them are detectable by sight or smell. That’s why it’s important to know what to do if you suspect a gas line leak. If left untreated for a long period of time, they can pose serious health risks to anyone living in the home.

Step 1: Determine where the gas line is coming from

First, you’ll want to determine where the gas line is coming from. While it’s not likely that you will be able to determine the exact location of the leak, you will likely be able to identify the general area where the gas is escaping. This is because leaking gas travels along the path of least resistance, meaning that it will often flow along the path of least resistance to reach a place where it can exit the house. There are a few ways you can do this. You can look for discolouration on the outside of the house, especially near the foundation. You can also smell the gas in the house and look for leaks. If you smell gas, shut off your main gas valve and call your gas company.

Step 2: Shut off the gas at the source

Next, you’ll want to shut off the source of the gas. This means that you will want to turn off the main gas valve. This is typically located in the basement or crawlspace of your home. It’s important to note that this is not the same as a shutoff valve. A shutoff valve is used to isolate areas of the home from the main gas line. A main gas valve is used to regulate the amount of gas that flows through the line. Once you’ve shut off the main gas valve, you should be able to smell the gas less often, or even notice that it has stopped leaking completely. This is because the gas will no longer be able to flow through the main line and reach a place where it can exit the home.

Step 3: Check for gas leaks

Next, you’ll want to look for gas leaks. There are a few ways to do this. First, you can smell for leaks. If you smell gas, you should shut off the main gas supply and call for help. You should also look for leaks in the walls or floor of the house. You can do this by sticking a dowel or another long, thin object into the wall, floor or foundation. If you see bubbles coming out of the end of the dowel, you have a gas leak. You should also look for holes or cracks in the foundation. This is because leaks can occur in these areas and cause the gas to travel along a path of less resistance, into the house and out through the walls and floors.

Step 4: If there is no gas supply, turn on the emergency shutoff

Finally, you may want to consider turning on your emergency shutoff. This is usually a smaller shutoff that is typically located not far from the main gas supply. This is for added protection in the event of a fire or an explosion. If you no longer have a gas supply, you will need to turn this on. This will allow you to close the main gas supply and isolate the area where the gas is leaking.

Step 5: Install a new gas line

If you are able to isolate the area where the gas is leaking, there are a few things you can do. First, you can repair the current gas line. This will allow you to keep the existing gas supply and simply re-route the gas through an unused portion of the line. You can repair the line by cutting out the section that is leaking and installing a new piece of piping to extend the line. This is a bit more complicated, but will allow you to keep the existing gas supply. If you have access to the underground portion of the line, you can patch the leaking section and re-tie it to the new pipe. If you are unable to repair the line, you can install a new line. This is an even more complicated process, but will allow you to re-route the gas supply and protect the home from a future leak.

Bottom line

A leaking gas line is an issue that can be very dangerous. However, it’s important to note that not all gas line leaks are visible. In fact, only about 11% of them are detectable by sight or smell. That means that it’s important to know what to do if you suspect a gas line leak. If left untreated for a long period of time, they can pose serious health risks to anyone living in the home. Before you make any repairs or install a new pipe, you should shut off the gas supply. This will allow you to detect leaks and protect the home from fire.