After putting an air pressure gauge test on a gas line how long should the gauge hold the pressure at the fixed reading? Our plumber put the test on newly installed gas pipe lines and it read number 2 at after pumping air into the line, yet within 36 hours the reading is now zero. Does this mean there is a leak in the line somewhere?

 

HI:Rick

In reply to this question the answer is a definite YES!

Without any doubt that gas line has a leak somewhere, if it lost air pressure. Air pressure is the approved method for testing any newly installed, yet still unconnected to the gas supply line.

Codes vary from state to state as to the amount of air pressure and time required before rechecking to see if there is or is not any pressure loss.

The standard rule <to the best of my knowledge> is two pounds minimum air pressure left standing for a minimum of twenty minutes.

Some cities require up to 25 pounds of air pressure for two hours or longer.

ANY loss of pressure, regardless of any code requirement, means a leak is present and MUST be fixed and retested. That's fixed and retested as many times as needed until it is totally leak free.

Many cities require the city inspector to sign it off as leak free if the piping is over 6 feet in length. Check your cities codes by calling the city building and planning department, if you have questions.

If your plummer has a license, he/she knows the rules and will be able to fix the leaks and retest. Hiring a licensed plummer is a wise choice and you shouldn't have anything to be concerned over.

Good Luck

------------------
Sincerely,
TomBartco
TomBartco Enterprises.
Trade:Natural Gas Energy Consultant & Technician.
Appliance Service & Repairs Rep.
Vocations:Saw & Tool Sharpening. Small Engine Repairs.
Accurate Power Equipment Company.

Personal Quote:
"Drive Safely. The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."


[This message has been edited by TomBartco (edited February 27, 2000).]

 

THERE MAY NOT BE A LEAK IN THE GAS LINE,IT MAY JUST BE THE GUAGE,THEY ARE BAD ABOUT LEAKING DOWN.

 

Thanks for the info. The plumbing inspector signed off on the line and stated it was fine. He pumped up the gauge to 3 psi for a couple of minutes stating that was the required psi/time test. After a few hours it was still holding at 3psi. A little over 24 hrs it dropped to 2 psi and then 40 hrs it was down to 1 psi. That is where the confusion came about beacuse the pressure gradually dropped over a couple of days leading me to believe there was a slow leak. Yet, the plumbing inspector signed off based on the first couple of minites at 3 psi. He stated if there were a leak in the line the meter gauge would immediately start to drop pressure. Is that an accurate statement?

 

Yes and no. when we used to run gas pipe on commercial buildings we would put 100 LBS just to prove we were good. The reason the inspector is saying what he did is this. A natural gas line after it runs through the regulator at the gas meter only has onces of pressure on it. Yes not even a pound. So three pounds is more than it will ever have to hold. On a house the volume of line space is small so if there was a signifigant leak it would appaer fast. At onces of pressure it will probably not leak with gas in it. However I like a gas line to hold pressure longer than yours did only because I am picky. Also you are dealing with GAS and we know what it can do. What you could do to ease your mind is turn on the gas and soap every joint. If there is a leak it will show up. You can use ordinary dish soap. To give you one more example i recently put some more gas line in my house and it held a 25 lb test for 24 hours.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by GARPLUMCO:
THERE MAY NOT BE A LEAK IN THE GAS LINE,IT MAY JUST BE THE GUAGE,THEY ARE BAD ABOUT LEAKING DOWN.<HR>