Gas Leak Detectors - Question

[RGD.]

Originally Posted by shilala

You can sniff till you're blue in the face and it doesn't tell you if you have a leak.
In order to test a system, you plug all the service connections (water heaters, stove, dryer, etc.) and pump up the system with a compressor.
That should have been done when everything was installed, it's code.
Then when the gas company turns on the gas, they do the same thing.
If you have a real fear of a leak, the LAST thing you should be doing is doing this yourself. If you're jut being paranoid, knock yourself out.

Paranoid - No. Have 35 + years in construction - I just haven't done a boat load of gas.

This is a 1956 home, gas furnace and water heater. Last year I had a 17KW whole house generator installed which required 2lb service. I went with a split meter (Gas Company installed it) because I knew that the old pipes would not handle the pressure - and didn't want to install regulators on the furnace and heater. The system held pressure with zero loss on the 72 hour test (county code). But I swear I smell gas at times around the generator. So I tried solution testing but can't see everything (freaking bi-focals). Maybe it's just venting - don't know. Hence I thought I'd use a detector.

I have had two leaks before. On the age of our homes, the meters are actually inside the house. Both times were when they came in and upgraded the meters - their faults.


Ron

[shilala]

Originally Posted by RGD.

Paranoid - No. Have 35 + years in construction - I just haven't done a boat load of gas.

This is a 1956 home, gas furnace and water heater. Last year I had a 17KW whole house generator installed which required 2lb service. I went with a split meter (Gas Company installed it) because I knew that the old pipes would not handle the pressure - and didn't want to install regulators on the furnace and heater. The system held pressure with zero loss on the 72 hour test (county code). But I swear I smell gas at times around the generator. So I tried solution testing but can't see everything (freaking bi-focals). Maybe it's just venting - don't know. Hence I thought I'd use a detector.

I have had two leaks before. On the age of our homes, the meters are actually inside the house. Both times were when they came in and upgraded the meters - their faults.


Ron

The regulator on the generator probably has a leaky diaphrapm and you can smell it at the vent hole.
Try cranking down the screws on the regulator.
Then spend some money and get some good help. I'd do it for you, and I know Leroy would, but we just ain't there.
The money ain't for the work, it's for the peace of mind.
It won't cost much to blank stuff off and test anyways. It's not but a day's work to go over everything with a fine tooth comb.
Get an old guy with a brain. They're hard to come by, but ask around.