Q: What are the signs of a gas leak?

• <div><p>Having gas appliances in your home can be convenient&mdash;you benefit from faster water heating, more efficient clothes drying, and more affordable home heating. However, you need to be aware of the signs of a gas leak so that you and your family can take precautions to be safe around these versatile appliances. </p><p>Signs of a gas leak include:</p><ul><li><p>Hissing sounds</p></li><li><p>Rotten egg smell</p></li><li><p>Higher than usual gas usage</p></li><li><p>Physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Q: Is it safe to manually light a gas water heater?

• <div><p>In most cases, yes, it&rsquo;s safe to light a gas water heater manually, but you should shut the gas off first, open a window, and let the space air out for about 10 minutes. Modern water heaters shut the gas off entirely if the pilot light goes out, but airing out the area beforehand is good practice and will ensure it&rsquo;s safe to relight your pilot light manually. Just make sure you turn the gas valve to &ldquo;pilot&rdquo; before lighting. If the light keeps going out or won&rsquo;t light at all, call in a professional.</p></div>

Question 1

What are the signs of a gas leak?

Accepted Answer

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Having gas appliances in your home can be convenient—you benefit from faster water heating, more efficient clothes drying, and more affordable home heating. However, you need to be aware of the signs of a gas leak so that you and your family can take precautions to be safe around these versatile appliances.

Signs of a gas leak include:

Hissing sounds
Rotten egg smell
Higher than usual gas usage
Physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea

Signs of a gas leak include:

Hissing sounds
Rotten egg smell
Higher than usual gas usage
Physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea

Question 2

How much does it cost to run or repair a gas line?

Accepted Answer

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Running a natural gas line costs between $260 and $820, with an average cost of $540. Gas line repairs cost between $15 and $25 per linear foot, and the cost depends on the type of fittings and connectors, the piping needed, and the mounting hardware. The pipe’s location also matters as it will take more time and labor to access underground pipes than aboveground pipes.

Question 3

Is it better to have natural gas or propane?

Accepted Answer

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Propane is more cost-efficient than natural gas on a per-unit basis because it produces twice as much heat energy as an equivalent amount of natural gas. But propane is not ideal if you already have a gas line installed. The best choice for your home depends on the efficiency of your appliances and the amount of installation required of your fuel choice.

Question 4

Who installs or runs gas lines?

Accepted Answer

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Plumbers typically install gas lines. When hiring a plumber, you should make sure that they have the proper licenses and credentials. While you can hire any plumber to complete this task, you may consider hiring a natural gas line plumber who specializes in moving gas lines. They’ll have extensive experience completing similar projects.

Question 5

Is it safe to manually light a gas water heater?

Accepted Answer

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In most cases, yes, it’s safe to light a gas water heater manually, but you should shut the gas off first, open a window, and let the space air out for about 10 minutes. Modern water heaters shut the gas off entirely if the pilot light goes out, but airing out the area beforehand is good practice and will ensure it’s safe to relight your pilot light manually. Just make sure you turn the gas valve to “pilot” before lighting. If the light keeps going out or won’t light at all, call in a professional.