Got Gas? Here’s What You Should Watch Out For With Natural Gas Appliances

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Gas-powered appliances are great, but they do come with some safety concerns.

It’s important to protect against carbon monoxide emissions and gas leaks, both of which can cause major problems. Here are some helpful tips about gas appliances:

Locate Your Gas Meter And Familiarize Yourself With It

Every homeowner should know where their gas meter is and how to shut it off in case of an emergency. It’s usually the first fitting on the natural gas supply pipe coming out of the ground next to the meter. With a wrench, turn the lever in either direction until it is crosswise to the pipe. If you suspect you have a gas leak, you can check at the meter by turning off all gas appliances in the home, then watching to see if there is movement on the gauge.

Improperly Installed Sediment Traps

A sediment trap is installed on a gas line to trap any debris that could clog the line and cause a malfunction. These get installed improperly A LOT, like the one below. The line coming in from the right is the gas coming in from outside. The short end extending left is the trap – but this should be pointing down, allowing gravity to cause the sediment to fall into the trap, as gas flows into the pipe. Instead, this is causing the gas to take a couple of sharp turns while sediment will land in the main pipe.

PEX is Perfect if Installed Appropriately

PEX is a newer material that has become hugely popular in recent years. Plumbers say it’s the greatest thing since toilets that flush. It costs less than half the price of copper and installs much faster. It’s extremely versatile, but it can’t be installed close to high heat sources, including being connected directly to a water heater, which we see ALL THE TIME. According to code, PEX line can’t be connected within 18 inches of the water heater. 

Brass Connectors That Need Replacing

If your home or appliances are more than 20 years old, you may have potentially dangerous uncoated brass gas connectors in need of replacement. These were commonly used in the 1950s to 1960s in residential construction. Some uncoated brass connectors have a flaw in the area where the tubing meets the end pieces. It can easily become cracked or torn, which could result in a natural gas leak, fire, or explosion. You can see here, the brass connector is setting off the gas sniffer, indicating a leak.