Gas leak, need help!?

Question

Our utility room smells like gas (just moved in and got the gas hooked up). We have hook-ups for electric and gas dryer in there. I called the gas company and to fix the problem I've got to be at the house all day to wait for them. My job will not allow this. Does anybody know of something I can do? A valve I can close or something? Please help! I don't want to be dangerous...but I can't lose a day of works pay!

Thanks, you all are right. I had them shut it off.

Answer 1

Generally, when the gas lines are hooked up there is a shut-off valve that you can turn off where the gas dryer will be hooked up. Another way to check the line yourself is to mix a bit of soapy water and pour it over the line. If the line has a leak the soapy water will bubble at the point of leak. You can then temporarily 'bandage' this leak until you change the line or repair the damage.

Good luck!

I think the match joke above was harsh and in poor taste!

Answer 2

Open all your doors and windows to get the gas out of your house! Call the gas company again (preferably from your neighbors house) and tell them they need to get out there immediately! A gas leak takes priority over ANY service call they have! Do not be afraid to exaggerate the problem a bit to get their attention.
Unfortunetly, you are going to have to wait for them. But you may only miss a half day if your gas company doesn't suck.
Don't mess around with your gas system if you don't know what you are doing.
Obviously, don't do anything stupid like smoke or use the stove until this is fixed. If the light in your utility room is off, don't turn it on. But if it is on, leave it that way. Stay away from there for now.
Gas leaks rarely cause big explosions like you see on TV, but better safe than sorry...

Answer 3

there should be a main gas valve in your basement on the line where it comes out from the wall. This will fix your problem while you are at work, but if you have a gas waterheater you will only be able to take one or two showers. You should also have a shut off valve right next to the wall or floor behind your dryer, although this might not stop the leak if the leak is below the valve. To find the leak, first get a fan to air the room out and put dishsoap and water in a spray bottle and spray the gas line looking for bubbles. Most likely a valve is loose or it needs YELLOW pipe thread tape ($2 at home depot)

Answer 4

If you have a trusted neighbor or relative- see if they can meet the gas company at your house. I wouldn't recommend they wait inside, give them a key to lock up when they're done. Or call the gas company back, record the call (at least tell them you are recording the call) and ask them if they want a lawsuit should your house fill up with gas and explode. Tell them this is a serious problem. If that doesn't convince them to get there right away, call 911 and ask for the fire dept to respond and have a look. They will shut off any necessary valves if available. If not- they will call the gas company and the gas company will be there pronto!!!
Have a great day!!!

Answer 5

You must not live in the USA.

Here, the gas company will NEVER make you wait all day to fix any gas leak problem. Their response is immediate (within the half-hour). And they would NEVER advise you to be at the house -- you are to leave immediately. A gas leak left unattended for a whole day that then ignites could take out an entire block of homes!

You need to call your gas company back and insist on immediate service.

Answer 6

you need to identify the source of the leak .if your gas technician charges by the hour you can find yourself with a big bill.to identify simple gas leaks just take some soap and water or use some dishwashing liquid,place in a bowl with water and using a washclothe soaked in the solution check all gas fittings by pouring the mixed solutuion over the pipes and gas fittings if you see a buble forming mark the spot to minimise the time of the tech. you may allso have an undreground leak so check the area in your basemnt or were the pipe goes into the ground for dark discolouration .remember all gas leaks are seruios and taking the time of from work is minimal as it would in comparison to your house or your life .so take the time of and wait for the technician to show . let me no how it whent be safe and have a nice day.

Answer 7

You don't want to take any risks with something so dangerous. Your setup may be different than that of someone who responds to your question. You need the problem fixed... were you going to have them come in on your day off?

You can always drop the key off at the gas company and have them let themselves in and lock up when they leave. Or you could ask a parent, friend, or relative to stay at your home to let them in. If that's not an option, you could hire a sitter to be there for the day.

Answer 8

OK, I hope that by now it's been resolved and that after all is said and done, it turns out to be that the previous occupants had a gas dryer, closed the valve and removed their dryer resulting in the odor being residual from the valve and not a leak.

Answer 9

there is a valve on the pipe outside that goes into the gas meter that can be closed with a wrench, it should have a hole in it that the gas company uses to lock the meter shut with a pad lock, but best thing to do is go outside and call the gas company back and tell them it's a serious leak. they have to send someone out because it can cause an explosion by doing something as simple as flipping on a light switch. go back out side and call them now!!!

Answer 10

have a relative or trusted friend stay at your place until they arrive....or leave the key with your neighbor and tell them to have your neighbor let them in (and watch them). If you smell gas then don't sleep there till it's fixed. Or tell them you need to schedule for late in the day, then have them confirm with you before they leave for your house, and you leve work early and meet them there. Surely your boss will let you take off a couple of hours at the end of the day, then you can make up the time during the rest of the week. Gas leaks are serious things.