Gas Leak
I had an energy audit done yesterday and as part of that they have to check boiler, gas lines, stove, etc for CO, incomplete combustion, and gas leaks. They found two small gas leaks, one at the main shutoff valve, and one at a joint. Both of these are before the meter. If you put…
I had an energy audit done yesterday and as part of that they have to check boiler, gas lines, stove, etc for CO, incomplete combustion, and gas leaks. They found two small gas leaks, one at the main shutoff valve, and one at a joint. Both of these are before the meter.
If you put your nose right up to the main valve, you can smell it a bit, the other you can’t smell at all. There is no smell at all in the enclosed room where these leaks are so they are tiny. For all I know they’ve been leaking for twenty years.
I know I should call NG and get them taken care of but I’m worried about my service being shut off for some amount of time. Anyone have experience with a similar situation?
Interesting, thanks denton. I’d bet my skylight is a major heat waster as well.
Slopenick, it went OK. They did have one of those infrared cameras. They de-pressurized the building to test heat loss. No surprises. Corners of the building showed heat loss. Bottoms of the windows ditto. Front and back doors ditto. My main problem is a skylite, I’ll have to post that soon. The guys were great, but one had just started his biz, he was good but I think someone with a lot more years as a contractor or something may have been better. But well worth the $350 I paid him.
Thanks all. Plumber it is. Slopenick, I’ll be back later.
I agree; get a plumber. It is really not such a big deal; once I had Hlad plumbing down to check a few things out and they checked the pipes, found a tiny area near the meter and applied some kind of plastic goop which hardens to cover up the leak. Don’t freak out, just call a plumber right away.
Denton – I agree, don’t ask Nat’l Grid, just get a plumber. NG will turn off svc, post those notices AND won’t restore service until you’ve had an inspection.
Call a plumber, NOT the gas company!!! Years ago (in the B.U.G. years), we made the mistake of calling Brooklyn Union; they came, confirmed that yes, we had a leak, turned off our service, and slapped big humiliating red warning stickers all over the house (that said something like “Idiots With Leaky Gas Live Here!”) It was a freezing weekend and we had to go days without heat trying to scare up a plumber, who of course said, “Whoa! Never call da gas company! They’ll lock ya meter!”
Wow, maybe I got lucky. I had a small gas leak in the pipe right below the meter and called National Grid’s emergency number. The service tech came out half an hour later, located the leak and fixed it – total repair time (and time without gas) was maybe an hour. And there was no charge on my gas bill, then or later. This was two years ago.
Since you mentioned it, can you tell us how the energy audit went, whether you found it useful/good value, and whether you would recommend the auditors you used? Did they use one of those infrared cameras? Winter’s coming….
Call your plumber. That way your leak(s) will be fixed, and you’re sure to keep your service uninterrupted. National Grid’s not going to fix it for free; you’re going to pay for a fix either way.