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: ...
- 1,173
41
votes
Accepted
Why not put pipe dope on female thread?
The pipe dope on the inside threads would be mostly pushed out of the threads into the fitting.
Now that blob ends up migrating to regulators and valves causing failures.
If only applied on the male ...
- 102k
39
votes
Accepted
How to (safely) permanently turn off natural gas?
I would not take the pipes out because of the demo cost and the fact that having them available may increase the value of the home for resale. Call the gas utility and have the service turned off and ...
- 102k
29
votes
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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.
...
- 676
26
votes
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 ...
- 12.4k
22
votes
Accepted
Safe amount of leaking from natural gas pipes
The Uniform Mechanical Code section 1314 asks you to test at 10psi or more. It defers to your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) on what a leak is, though it does specify 'no perceptible loss of ...
- 9,207
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 ...
- 35.1k
17
votes
Why not put pipe dope on female thread?
The idea that a fillet of pipe dope as shown in the figure would enhance sealing is flawed. The pipe dope is a semi-liquid; it won't stay in place unless held there by some mechanical force. The ...
- 27.9k
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 ...
- 202k
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 ...
- 34.3k
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 ...
- 6,314
12
votes
Doping threaded gas pipes -- which threads are the "last" threads?
It's been awhile since I worked with gas pipe, but my understanding was that your area marked as (1) are the last 2 threads.
The reason is so there is no ribbon or tape hanging off the threads that ...
- 25.1k
12
votes
Natural gas fireplace with included "smart" thermostat and DIY added "dumb" thermostat as a power outage failsafe
There are plenty of millivolt wall and floor furnaces which use a pilot light, thermopile and millivolt thermostat. They are typically called "Empire style" and are made by Williams and ...
11
votes
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
11
votes
Gas furnace takes like 2-5 minutes from ignition to blower start. flame also burning yellow/orange
The flame should be blue with some orange tips, if not it is more than likely a serious problem.
From your description it does not have enough oxygen - thereby depositing a lot of carbon on the inside,...
- 6,909
10
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 ...
- 4,947
10
votes
Does a gas pressure test lose pressure without leaks?
1/10th PSI (1:50 change) might well be temperature-related (the compressor heats air as it compresses it, and that cools down to room temperature when in the pipe) but simply waiting longer should ...
- 202k
10
votes
Accepted
What is a safe procedure for removing natural gas pipe after full service disconnect (meter removed, house intake capped)?
Any pressure in the pipes disappeared instantly when the meter was removed. Disconnected gas piping poses no special hazards, it can be removed and disposed of just like any other steel piping.
Any ...
- 2,538
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 ...
- 27.9k
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 ...
- 47.8k
8
votes
Accepted
What size black iron pipe should I use for a 45,000 BTU attached garage heater?
If the new heater would "home run" its supply pipe all the way to the meter then that pipe could be sized in isolation, but you've described a scenario in which the new heater would branch ...
- 27.9k
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 ...
- 3,009
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 ...
- 21.1k
8
votes
Accepted
How does one secure black pipe gas plumbing to an exterior wall?
Yes a two-hole strap like the one you've shown is a normal way of securing a pipe. When you tighten the mounting screw the strap will easily bend so that its ears are held down firmly against the ...
- 27.9k
8
votes
Accepted
Is my plan to extend a kitchen gas line reasonable?
Your plan is fine, but you won't find a 13' pipe. Just add 8 feet to the existing 5' pipe (or use 10' and 3' pipes).
Rectorseal™ is a brand name, not a product. You'll want to use "pipe joint ...
- 129k
8
votes
Is it dangerous to put expanding foam in home heater ducts?
Use a 10" duct cap to seal the disused duct opening correctly. Since you mention diameter, I've shown a round one.
image source https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/0dd0da23-e656-...
- 202k
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 ...
- 24.2k
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 ...
- 202k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible