If you smell gas, do this first
Natural gas is given a sulfur-like odor so people notice leaks, often described as rotten eggs. If you smell it inside your home, treat it as an emergency. Do not try to find the source yourself and do not wait to see if it fades.
Get everyone out, including pets, and leave the door open behind you if you can do so quickly. Once you are outside and away from the building, call your gas utility or 911. Do not flip light switches, use a lighter, start a car in an attached garage or make the call from inside. Stay out until the utility or fire department says it is safe. Only after that is it time to call a plumber to repair what they found.
- Leave the building immediately
- Call the gas utility or 911 from outside
- Do not operate switches, appliances or open flames
- Do not re-enter until emergency responders say it is safe
- Do not attempt to repair a gas line or work on a gas valve yourself
Signs of a possible gas line problem
Not every gas issue announces itself with a strong smell. Some problems are slow, and a few signs show up outdoors or on appliances. None of these should be ignored, but the smell of gas is always the one that comes first and sends you outside.
If you notice any of the following, treat them seriously and have the line checked by a professional. If the smell is present at the same time, follow the steps above before anything else.
- A rotten-egg or sulfur smell near an appliance or along a pipe
- A hissing or whistling sound near a gas line or meter
- Dead or discolored plants in a small patch near a buried line
- A pilot light or burner flame that keeps going out or burns yellow instead of blue
- Physical damage to a line from digging, a vehicle or a failing connection
Gas line repair and replacement
Gas piping is not a place for patchwork. Corroded steel pipe, a damaged connector or a fitting that has worked loose has to be corrected properly, and the system has to be checked afterward to confirm that it does not leak. A technician identifies the damaged section, shuts off the supply to it and replaces what is needed.
Sometimes the repair is small, such as a single fitting or a flexible connector at an appliance. Other times, older pipe has deteriorated enough that replacing a longer run is the safer choice. Either way, the work should be tested before the gas is turned back on, and in many jurisdictions it needs a permit and an inspection.
Adding a new gas line for an appliance
Many homeowners want gas where it does not exist yet. Common examples are a BBQ on the patio, a gas range in the kitchen, a dryer in the laundry room, a water heater that is being replaced or moved and a fireplace. Each has its own requirements, and a line that is fine for one appliance may be too small once another is added.
A new line has to be sized for the total demand of everything it feeds, routed in a way that keeps it protected and connected to the existing system correctly. The gas utility, the building department and the appliance manufacturer all have a say in the details, which is why the work should be planned and permitted rather than done as a quick add-on.
- Decide where the new appliance will go and what it needs.
- A technician checks the existing gas supply, line sizes and the total load.
- The route is planned and the permit is pulled with the city or county.
- The new line is installed and connected to the appliance and the main system.
- The line is tested and the city or county inspects the work.
- Gas is turned on and the appliance is checked for proper operation.
Permits, testing and inspection
Gas work is regulated because the consequences of a mistake are serious. New gas lines and many repairs require a permit, and the work is then looked at by an inspector from your city or county. That second set of eyes is a feature, not an obstacle.
The exact requirements depend on where you live, so confirm with your city or county building department. As for testing, methods and numbers vary by the code in force and the type of piping, so a technician follows the local requirements rather than a rule of thumb. You should expect the work to be tested and inspected before it is put into service.
Why call Rocket for gas lines
Rocket is a West Jordan company run by Bill Bashford and his sons, and you can schedule online, call or text. Rocket handles gas line repair and new gas lines with permits and inspection.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I smell gas?
Leave the building at once and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. Avoid switches, phones and flames inside. Do not go back in until responders say it is safe.
Can I run a gas line to my BBQ myself?
This is not a good DIY project. Gas work carries serious risk and generally requires a permit and inspection, so it should be done by a qualified plumber.
Do new gas lines need a permit?
Generally yes. New lines and many repairs require a permit and an inspection by your city or county. Confirm the requirements with your local building department.
Can the existing line handle another appliance?
It depends on its size and the total demand. A technician adds up what is connected and tells you whether the line can support another appliance.
Who should I call first for a suspected leak?
Call the gas utility or 911 from outside the building first. After the area is declared safe, a plumber can repair the line and verify the system.
