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February 15, 2009
gas leak?
So we live in 1910 brownstone. Originally it had gas pipes in the middle of each ceiling. Recently I tried to install (electrical) lamp and opened one of the gas pipes. It supposed to be dead but I could smell some gas. So I spent next few hours checking it out. First of all I checked gas meter - it was slowly counting consumed gas (1/2cf per 3 minutes). I traced down the gas pipes from the meter on and sprayed soapy water on each connection. All good. I sprayed water on the end of the pipe in sealing - nothing coming from there. I guess the slow gas consumption can be attributed to the pilot light in the heater. I do not see any other places.
Comments
So? Do you have a question? Why the post?
Posted by: Rick at February 15, 2009 7:35 PM
There was another thread recently (something like "cutting, threading nubs") where people described similar experience with gas leaks from old lines.
Posted by: vinca at February 15, 2009 8:18 PM
call your gas provider and let them have a look.
Posted by: Ysabelle at February 15, 2009 8:21 PM
Those old gas lines were using liquefied coal, etc. Not natural gas...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_lighting
Posted by: vanburenproud at February 15, 2009 9:55 PM
Don't call the gas company unless you want your gas turned off for 6 months and spend about 4K. The pressure test required to certify it's safety will make any gas line leak. Everything from the Dresser to the flexible connectors will have to be replaced. IMO.
Posted by: modsquad at February 16, 2009 1:16 AM
There can be some residual gas in capped gas lighting pipes where the gas lines were capped, to hang electric fixtures, long before the old gas lines were cut. That could account for the gas you smelled. I've had that in my house and I can clearly see where the original gas lines are cut off in my cellar.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at February 16, 2009 9:26 AM
modsquad is right. Get a private contractor that has a gas detector to check if you continue to smell anything. But vanburenproud is also right. it's a safe bet that these lines are not connected to the natural gas lines and there's always a residual smell left in them You can get a smoke pencil to detect any further flow yourself but you ma get a false read from the airspace surrounding the pipe and not the pipe itself. You have to completely block out the adjacent space i to the ceiling. Chances are high that this is just a residual smell.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 16, 2009 9:40 AM
DIBS,
Those old gas pipes COULD still be connected to natural gas lines, although in many cases, like my house, they're not. I have neighbors with working gas lights and I'm sure their old gas pipes, originally intended for coal gas, now have natural gas flowing through them. When Brooklyn Union, and other gas companies, switched to natural gas in the early '50s they didn't replace the gas lines in all buildings. I remember when my family's apartment was switched to natural gas when I was a small child--it just involved someone making adjustments to the gas stove.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at February 16, 2009 10:20 AM
I had working gas lines in my house up until a few years ago, that were hit by an electrician too. Take it seriously and call a plumber to check it out.
Posted by: corolla at February 16, 2009 10:54 AM
Definitely do NOT CALL CON-ED. You will be screwed. Call a plumber you trust. One of the problems with those old gas lines is that instead of re-routing them straight to the stove, most were just capped, and the old joints let go under depressurization.
Our co-op is dealing with a similar situation as you describe, and one unit has been without gas for 8 months now. A carpenter laying a subfloor hit a disused spur gas line parallel to a joist.
You may find that you have to install a new line from the meter to your range/kitchen area, a good idea in any case, but you don't want the city or Con Ed involved until a few plumbers weigh in.
Posted by: Bolder at February 16, 2009 11:32 AM
Aren't you guys confusing (1) a gas leak in current working pipes going to the stove with (2) gas still existing in old nonworking pipes that were once used for lighting?
The OP doesn't have a leak. The OP appears to have gas still in old pipes. Isn't the solution to shut off the gas going to the old pipes?
Posted by: mopar at February 16, 2009 12:37 PM
If anyone has gas lines still set up for gas light. It should be removed at the meter. It's easy to see those pipes, they are small and often go up from the meter and branch off. These old lines smell a little when they are empty. Often it's the funk of old pipe dope. Anyone who ever opened a live line in a ceiling would know right away. The smell is strong and under pressure, no different than gas from your stove.
Posted by: Rick at February 16, 2009 1:26 PM
I would not take a risk with gas. Call your gas company and tell them you smell gas. They will send someone within the next hour and it's free.
Posted by: brownie77 at February 18, 2009 3:35 PM
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