54
votes
Accepted
How to convince plumber that there is a gas leak?
The other answers here are good from a technical point of view about how to verify a leak, but to answer the question of "how to convince a plumber", I'll second a comment by @manassehkatz: ...
- 831
29
votes
Accepted
Disconnecting a gas stove (New Zealand)
With a little more research and a better photo of the floor connection, it turns out that the floor connection had the mark “BS669”, which means its a bayoneted valve that auto-seals on disconnection.
...
- 666
26
votes
Why is a gas furnace vented but a gas dryer is not?
Your gas dryer vents its combustion products outside along with the moisture from your clothes, so it is vented to the outside.
Your oven doesn't vent out mostly for sake of having limited combustion....
- 2,639
26
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Accepted
Is my plan for fixing my water heater leak bad?
If the water on the floor is from the water heater I would fix that problem before I do anything else. If it is coming from the tank then it probably needs replaced. You can raise the tank as high as ...
- 12.1k
18
votes
Accepted
Is digging with a shovel near gas lines dangerous?
I speak as a former engineer for a utility that provides both gas and electricity.
Gas lines are typically metal or plastic. If plastic, they're very likely thick enough to withstand most hand digging ...
- 324
17
votes
How to convince plumber that there is a gas leak?
You have to use a lot of liquid detector and large leaks can blow right through without making bubbles; however, typically a leak this large would be easily detected by the Mark-I human sensors you ...
- 33.4k
16
votes
Accepted
How can this pool heater gas line be disconnected?
You are looking at a union, with an elbow to the left and a valve to the right.
Put one wrench on the biggest "nut". Put the other wrench on the smaller "nut" immediately to the right of it - you'll ...
- 133k
16
votes
How to convince plumber that there is a gas leak?
Try to fan the area with fresh air to the point the detector detects nothing then immediately use the detector to zero in on the area where the gas begins to appear.
Try using saran wrap to isolate ...
- 16.9k
14
votes
How can this pool heater gas line be disconnected?
...natural gas...
...I'm not sure what the different parts are here...
Those two statements together equal "call a gasfitter".
Removing the appliance will leave the gas line unsupported, and ...
- 141
13
votes
Is my plan for fixing my water heater leak bad?
No gas shut off for either line, flex is not suitable for a stationary appliance unless it's approved CSST, duct tape on the flue, draft hood is crooked, pressure relief should terminate in a ...
- 6,098
12
votes
How to replace siding through gas pipes
If you have threaded iron gas pipe coming into the house, expect a MUCH MUCH larger job that it looks like if you do that - you have to start at the loose end of that pipe and back every joint out, ...
- 2,299
11
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Is my plan for fixing my water heater leak bad?
There is a reason most countries regulate gas-related equipment strictly, because they don't want buildings to explode. If there is no electricity or gas involved, fix it! If it's under - let's say - ...
- 219
10
votes
Why is a gas furnace vented but a gas dryer is not?
This appears to be a simple misunderstanding of how a gas dryer works. The gas dryer creates heat by burning air and the gas together, then blowing the heated air and combustion mixture through the ...
- 3,223
9
votes
Can buried gas pipe conduct flame between two structures?
The possibility of the natural gas line transmitting the fire is extremely close to zero. Yes natural gas requires air, about 20% mixture of gas and air (more air than gas). Getting that mixture in ...
- 4,356
9
votes
How to convince plumber that there is a gas leak?
You haven't mentioned whether this is natural gas or propane. If natural gas, then use the analog dials (or digital read-out) on your gas meter. Hopefully your meter will have a dial or indication for ...
- 19.5k
8
votes
How do I determine whether a permit is required for a new gas line?
You would need to find out who the authority having jurisdiction is. Often time, it is the city, county, or township where you are located. In some cases, it might be the state as well (in MN for ...
- 4,772
8
votes
Is digging with a shovel near gas lines dangerous?
Just an experienced digger answer here... I worked for landscaping companies in my teens and while some of the lawns were marked, many were not.
Basically you want use a tipped shovel - not a ...
- 46.2k
8
votes
How to convince plumber that there is a gas leak?
First convince yourself.
Soapy water can be tricky - you may not see small bubbles in hard to observe places. The right amount of soap in the water is tricky as well.
Try to hear the leak.
You may ...
- 2,082
8
votes
Is there a way to remotely control gas valve?
Yes, there are electronically controlled gas valves.
A better idea might be to install a "grill timer". It's like a kitchen timer that you twist to set the time, but instead of ringing a ...
- 18.8k
7
votes
Do I need to replace my copper gas line before installing a new dryer? Why?
Sounds like a liability issue. If they hook it up and the line breaks or leaks, they can be held liable. They probably want a gas flex line (something like this) installed between the copper and ...
- 19.7k
7
votes
Cheap digital thermostat turns off furnace when cold?
99% sure this will be a thermostat that needs batteries. A fairly common approach to getting "smart" features without changing from old two-wire (heat only) mechanical thermostat wiring. I've lived ...
- 133k
7
votes
Accepted
Is this a gas shutoff valve
No, that's not a valve. It looks like a drain, as might be useful if the fitting had been installed in a fire sprinkler or steam line, or functionally just an odd-ball tee fitting.
- 19.5k
6
votes
Accepted
Why won't this 3/8 male connector for a natural gas dryer fit a 3/8 female connector?
You need a 3/8" female NPT x 3/8" male flare thread adapter. Any good hardware store or plumbing shop.
- 33.4k
6
votes
Accepted
Can buried gas pipe conduct flame between two structures?
A gas pipe is filled with nearly 100% flammable gas—at least under normal conditions.
Propane and natural gas need to be mixed with air (or oxygen) to be combustible. The ideal combination for ...
- 12.1k
6
votes
What causes the chirping sound coming from my 250 natural gas meter?
The noise is likely caused by a moving part rubbing its bearing or keeper. Whether or not it's a problem will depend on the meter.
You should contact the utility, and let them decide how to proceed. ...
- 128k
6
votes
Is my plan for fixing my water heater leak bad?
Being in the plumbing industry most of my adult life, if you are going to go to the trouble of raising the heater just a few
inches, you might want to look at relocating the heater entirely. I have ...
- 61
5
votes
What could be causing an orange flame on all appliances?
The quick answer is that the humidifier/vaporizer causes the orange flame. This happened to us a couple of weeks ago. The gas company said they would send over a technician. He called us first to ...
- 51
5
votes
Accepted
How is a "ground joint union" different from any other union out there, and why are they specified for gas service?
A ground joint union has an angle cut (ground) into the union where the two sections mate. This provides more surface area at the joint, and allows the joint to seat more easily.
This is in ...
- 128k
5
votes
Need advice on removing fireplace gas starter pipe
I had the same problem when converting mine. The pipes have been subjected to repeated extreme heat and cooling cycles and will be difficult to unthread.
Your best bet is to soak with penetrating oil ...
- 33.4k
5
votes
Is digging with a shovel near gas lines dangerous?
A gas line is usually either iron or steel (older installations) or HDPE (i.e. plastic used in newer installations) and either one can be damaged by careless excavation. Often the steel/iron lines ...
- 20.3k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible