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

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.

Question 3

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 4

What is the proper way to vent a gas water heater?

Accepted Answer

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The right way to vent a gas water heater is to have a pipe directly upward or slopes upward out of the house. Because hot air naturally rises, this type of venting will efficiently ensure that all gas moves out of the house. Your system may rely on fans or blowers as well.

Question 5

How do you reset an earthquake gas shut-off valve?

Accepted Answer

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The best way to reset this valve is to contact your utility provider to do so safely. If the pipes are damaged and you reset the valve anyway, it could lead to a gas leak. It’s important to call in a pro as soon as you can to reconnect your gas supply after an earthquake and ensure the device will work again the next time there’s a quake.