Propane Leak? Is my supplier responsible for checking for leaks?

Question

I smell propane around my hot water heater. I called my supplier and they told me it would cost $98 per. hour to come to my house. I'm on a fixed income and cannot afford this. It seems to me whoever you buy fuel from should be responsible for checking and maybe even fixing leaks. Anyone have any insight to my problem?
(I have been keeping it off & turning it on when we need hot water). Also i get HEAP grants to help pay for my fuel. can HEAP help? I have childeren in the house also.

Answer 1

The owner of the house is responsible for the upkeep of the appliances. You would need to call a HVAC person (ie air conditioner repair man) they are certified to handle the gas repair. Also 98$ per hour is a little high but not much. If the leak is easy to find it should be a matter of an hour to fix the problem. You can attempt to find the leak your self, Get a spray bottle and put a solution of half water half liquid dish soap, spray the solution on any pipes and fittings that you can find and when you see bubbles being made that is the gas leaking.

:)

Answer 2

The enrichment method works if the engine is carbureted or uses a Mass Air Flow sensor but not if it uses a MAnifold Pressure sensor, which automatically compensates the mixture for leaks. Propane is not dangerous - it is easily controllable and has a narrow range of flammability - but liquids have a significant risk of fire. A more comprehensive, although silly looking, way of checking for vacuum leaks is to put the intake duct to your face (the other end on the throttle body) and open the throttle while blowing in the intake so the manifold is pressurized. Obviously the engine is off while you do that, and the PCV is disconnected and blocked off.The intake should mostly hold pressure; if it leaks you will hear the hiss and a helper can hunt it down by sound and with his fingers.

Answer 3

if there is an interruption of service, like if the tank runs out of propane, then it is not only the suppliers responsibility to check for leaks he is breaking the law if he doesn't check for leaks throughout the whole system.They charge for doing it, but the law clearly states that they have to check...it's a public safety thing.

Answer 4

The fuel supplier is only responsible for a leak at the tank. When installing a tank they are required to leak check to the appliance's for the first time. After that it is your responsibility to repair...

Answer 5

i see it as your responsibility.
get some friend to try to find the leak by brushing a mix of dish detergent and a little water on all the joints of that gas pipe. it may not have anything to do with the water heater. open a basement window while you have it turned on for hot water. that's still a dangerous situation you have there. it may just be a loose fitting that needs to be tightened. when you brush that mixture on the pipe joints you look for little bubbles to find the leak or leaks.
i would agree you could try HEAP.
good luck to you and don't forget to open a cellar window while trying to make hot water.(not a good idea)
the gas has be turned on while checking for that leak.
good luck to ya. you got to know someone who's just a little handy that could help you try to find that leak.

Answer 6

You didn't say if you rent or own. If you own your house, you are responsible for any leak inside your house. The provider would be responsible if it was at the house connection, meter, or outside the house.
If you keep turning it off, the pilot might still be sending out propane. If the pilot light is out, it may give off a smell.

Answer 7

Why would the supplier be responsible for your property, unless they installed the water heater? Does the grocery store cook your food? When you buy a shirt at Wal-Mart do they wash it for you?
Sorry you are on a fixed income but please show some common sense.

Answer 8

Report him to the city health inspector and the agency which provides HEAP. Also call the Fire Marshall of your city and tell him that there may be a dangerous condition which the propane supplier refuses to investigate. Once you get satisfaction change gas suppliers.

Answer 9

It's not their water heater. If your car gets a gas leak do you call the gas station? You might see if the fire department will take a look.

Answer 10

In some locations the fire department will check for leaks but they won't fix them.