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>

Q: Can I cap a gas line myself?

• <div><p>Yes, it&rsquo;s possible to cap a gas line yourself if you&rsquo;re no longer using it or are simply going out of town for an extended period of time. It&rsquo;s essential to follow the <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/i-am-converting-gas-stove-electric-who-do-i-hire-cap-gas.htm">steps on properly capping a gas line</a> yourself. If you&rsquo;re uncomfortable with any of the steps, you may want to bring in a natural gas plumber for added reassurance.</p></div>

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>

Question 1

Is it safe to manually light a gas water heater?

Accepted Answer

•

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 2

Can I cap a gas line myself?

Accepted Answer

•

Yes, it’s possible to cap a gas line yourself if you’re no longer using it or are simply going out of town for an extended period of time. It’s essential to follow the steps on properly capping a gas line yourself. If you’re uncomfortable with any of the steps, you may want to bring in a natural gas plumber for added reassurance.

Question 3

What are the signs of a gas leak?

Accepted Answer

•

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 4

What do gas plumbers do?

Accepted Answer

•

Most likely, a gas plumber would be the best pro for many components in your home, and you might not even realize it. Natural gas plumbers are responsible for maintaining and installing natural gas lines, including installing appliances that use natural gas. These can include:

Fireplaces
Water heaters
Furnaces
Hot tubs
Clothes dryers
Ovens
Outdoor grills

Gas plumbers are also the pros that would handle a natural gas leak in your home, so it's essential to know the signs of a gas leak before it becomes a dangerous situation.

Question 5

Can I convert my existing natural gas furnace to propane?

Accepted Answer

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Some natural gas furnaces can be converted to propane with a conversion kit, but not all models are compatible. Consult a licensed HVAC pro to determine if conversion is possible and cost-effective for your system. The process involves changes to burner orifices and safety controls, and must be completed to code.