gas leak locator

bryan_14

Just wondering whether anyone has come across a better way to locate leaks in a natural gas line. We got a gas bill even though we don't have anything that burns gas other than heaters. We isolated a portion of the line and have pinned the leak down to 1/2 of the installed piping (1000'), but i just can't believe the smart people here don't have a better way than pressure testing with air and soap testing the lines. (no i'm not going to turn the gas back on and use a torch to fine the leak) Any help would be greatly appreciated

Dale

Where are you located?

Where I'm at you would just call the gas company, if natural gas, say you smell gas and we would trace the piping with an electronic leak detector and finding the leak would be free.
If you're on LP or the local gas utility would charge you tif and yellow jacket ect make nice little methane detectors with lights that will pick up down to 5ppm. Lights are nice if you are tracing ceiling piping, most of the good detectors have a telescoping painters pole attachment.

bryan_14

Up here in Pa (at least with the local gas co), everything after the meter is the customer's responsibility.

Darin Cook_3

Use a Match

Just Kidding, We use a Bacharach Combustible Gas Leak Detector. It is the same one our utilities use. Very accurate, I have found leaks that soap bubbles would not. I do not remember the model number, but if you go on the Bacharach website you will find it.