Inspecting Exposed Gas/Propane Lines
Before we get started, let’s get a disclaimer out of the way. We are not licensed plumbers and/or certified to inspect gas lines. If you ever suspect an issue, smell gas, or have any questions pertaining to your gas/propane lines, you should contact your supplier and/or a certified plumber. Additionally, we recommend scheduling a yearly gas safety check via your gas company or certified plumber.
So What Is The Point Of This Article?
Ok, now that we’ve gotten the disclaimer out of the way. As a homeowner, there are still some basic steps you can take to ensure you are being proactive. Our technicians come across leaks all the time, many of them we have found simply by entering the backyard and smelling the leak coming from the meter. Our goal is to provide a few basic steps to hopefully prevent any hazards should a leak occur.
Basic Homeowner Steps To Inspect Gas/Propane Lines 👀
✔ Ensure you know where both your main shut off valve and your separate grill shut off valve is. You should familiarize yourself with them and how they work. For your grill shut off valve, we recommend testing it a few times a year to ensure it is opening and closing correctly. If you notice you do not have a shutoff valve for your outdoor grill, we highly recommend contacting a plumber to have one installed. By law these should be installed.
✔ Once you are familiar with the valves, you should physically inspect all exposed piping. Look for any obvious cracks, splits, signs of extensive rusting and deterioration. Always pay special attention to connection points. If you see any of the above, contact your gas company or plumber.
✔ Lastly, when it comes to the lines around your gas/propane grill, you should inspect for small leaks a few times a year. This is particularly true after winter freezes and anytime lines have been disconnected (i.e removing and installing a propane tank).
The easiest way to inspect the lines around your grill:
✔ With the gas on, utilize a leak detector solution like one of the following, or a mixture of dish soap and water. Large bottle or Small bottle
✔ Spray the solution around connection points and fittings. Pipe fittings, gas valves, manifold, regulator, etc.
✔ If you see large bubbles you have a leak - note that at times the solution can create small bubbles. Gas leak bubbles are larger, tend to stack on each other and clearly show they are being driven by the air/gas.
✔ If you identify a small leak around your grill that can be isolated via the shut off, shut off your grill valve and call a professional. If the leak is with the supply line, we recommend calling your gas company/plumber.
I’m Not Sure If I Smell Gas Or Not?
Nowadays, both gas and propane are mixed with Ethyl Mercaptan. It’s sole purpose is to provide a distinct smell should you have a leak. Most people report it as smelling like rotten eggs, rotten cabbage, garlic or even skunk-like. For small leaks, sometimes this odor is masked around grills as you have the smell of burning fuel and the smells from the food you are cooking. That’s why it’s important to not always go by your sense of smell.
Should you ever smell gas or “think you might”, always error on the side of caution. Shut off any open flames and remove you and your family from the area. Call your gas company/plumber immediately.
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