How to check for a gas leak: what to do if there is a gas leak, how to fix the problem, where to go for help

Many city apartments are equipped with gas stoves. Gas supply to them is carried out centrally. Residents of private houses in some cases use gas cylinders or boilers. Whatever equipment is used for domestic purposes, the main principle of its operation is compliance with safety measures. It is extremely important to understand how to check for a gas leak so that you can take timely measures to fix it. This knowledge can save lives.

Which gas stoves are better: Combustion or Hans?

Plates

"
Hansa
" are simple, they cost much less and
are better
equipped at the same cost. Plus, it has a great oven. Gorenye means better build quality and design reliability, a more stylish design and a variety of equipment, which opens up greater choice possibilities.

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Causes of gas leaks

There are several main problems that cause the smell of gas in a living space:

• improper installation or operation of equipment;
• the presence of cracks, kinks in the gas hose, its rupture;
• poor threaded connection on the hose nut inside the gas stove;
• wear of the gas hose gasket;
• wear of sealing materials on the gas valve;
• wear of the gas valve, its loose closure;
• incorrect operation of the burner;
• fire extinguished while the burner is on.

Who to call if you smell gas

If characteristic signs of a leak appear, it is very important to promptly inform representatives of the special service responsible for the supply of blue fuel.

Many people mistakenly believe that if they smell gas they need to call 04 - but this number has changed. If you smell gas, you must call the emergency number 104 on the city telephone network.

From a mobile phone, if you smell gas, you can call the following numbers, depending on the operator:

• 112 – emergency service (universal number for any network);
• 040 – from MTS;
• 004 – on the Beeline network;
• 904 – for Sky Link subscribers.

When you get through, you need to clearly state the circumstances of the incident, indicate the address of the apartment, the entrance route, the location of the fire pump, etc. The call to the emergency service is free.

How to prevent leaks: prevention

To do this, it is enough to follow precautionary measures, rules for the safe use of gas and the recommendations of the gas equipment manufacturer.

• Do not leave running gas appliances unattended.
• Do not install, repair, or change gas-using devices yourself.
• When using the stove, be sure to open the windows in the kitchen and ventilate the room.
• Carry out regular maintenance of all devices of VKGO systems.
• Leave the house, turn off all appliances and turn off the tap on the gas pipeline.
• Do not use the stove for drying or heating items.
• First light a match, only then open the gas.
• Using faulty devices is strictly prohibited!

Troubleshooting Techniques

Gas leaks can occur in different sections of the gas pipeline. The methods for eliminating it depend on the location of the damage.

If gas escapes at threaded connections, you should:

• unwind the connection;
• remove worn windings, sealing and sealing materials;
• check the condition of the thread;
• if it is in order, then reseal the connection and install seals;
• assemble the connection and tighten tightly to prevent gas from escaping;
• Check the seal using soap suds.

In case of leakage due to deteriorated sealing materials:

• unwind the connection;
• remove worn sealing materials;
• install new gaskets;
• assemble the connection and tighten it tightly;
• check sealing with soap solution.

If the gas hose is worn out, there are kinks and cracks on it, it needs to be completely replaced.

If all connections are in order and the gas hose is also in good condition, then the cause of the leak may be hidden in more complex problems:

• Some burner is damaged and needs to be replaced;
• the valve on the gas pipe is faulty and needs to be replaced;
• The leak occurs from under the knob that regulates the gas supply to the burner. In this case, you need to remove the handle, remove the old dried grease, clean it, apply a new one and put the burner handle back in place;
• gas comes out under the burner nut. You need to carefully tighten the nut more tightly, being careful not to strip the thread.

In these cases, it is better to seek help from qualified specialists who have access to work with gas equipment.

Oven diagnostics at home

The quality of the oven is checked by baking confectionery products from dough, as well as by frying slices of bread. Baking mode: 180-200 degrees, time 20-25 minutes. The product is baked on a baking sheet; when baking, the baking sheet is located on the middle shelf of the oven. The temperature in the oven is controlled at the center of the projection of the baked product onto a horizontal plane passing 20 mm below the baking sheet. The finished product is removed from the oven and after complete cooling, check the uniformity of its color.

Using tasting, they check whether the product is well baked. In addition to the objective method, color is assessed visually: the product should have a uniform light brown color without burnt areas.

Procedure and safety measures when a leak is detected

If the leak is beyond doubt, the following steps must be taken:

• turn off the stove;
• turn off the gas pipeline tap;
• open the windows to let in fresh air and ventilate the room;
• notify the emergency gas service;
• refrain from smoking and do not turn on electrical appliances to avoid sparks. It is better to completely de-energize the apartment by turning off the circuit breakers on the electrical panel.

If you suspect that the equipment is not operating properly, or if you discover a leak on your own, you should contact a professional to troubleshoot the problem.

Gas leak in a car with gas equipment

If a car with LPG equipment is functioning correctly, there should be no smell of gas. If you smell gas, there is a gas fuel leak. This may happen for the following reasons:

• the equipment is installed incorrectly;
• connections are leaky;
• fuel hoses or other components are of poor quality or worn out.

The techniques for checking gas leaks in a car are the same as in the case of home gas equipment. It is convenient to use gas analyzers inside the car or check the fuel system with a soap solution.

To prevent leaks and for proper operation of gas equipment, you must follow some rules:

• Do not use plastic or wire ties when installing LPG in a car. It is better to install spring ones that do not require tightening;
• use only copper or PVC tubes as gas hoses, as they are more durable;
• Change the air filter regularly or clean it;
• Perform timely maintenance and adjustment of equipment.

Conclusions and videos on the topic

Be sure to watch these two videos from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations , dedicated to a gas leak in an apartment.

Be sure to follow the operating instructions for the devices and promptly respond to any possibility of a gas leak. Keep the devices in good technical condition and carry out regular maintenance.

For any questions regarding gas, contact only specialists who can document their admission to such work.

Have you encountered a gas leak, how did you solve the problem and how quickly? Your tips may help other readers. Leave your comments, our experts will answer all your questions.

Check after delivery

In order not to find yourself in a situation where you receive an incomplete product or a product with defects, you need to play it safe and invite a specialist to install the stove at the time of delivery to make sure it is working or refuse if there is a malfunction or defects.

Be sure to check the package to avoid headaches when connecting the stove

The first thing that is necessary upon delivery is to check the completeness and presence of correctly completed documentation: a warranty card with the serial number, the model of the kitchen panel, the date of sale, the seller’s signature and the store’s seal.

If it was not possible to invite a specialist, then it will be possible to check its operation only after installation, which significantly complicates the situation in the event of its malfunction. In this case, you must have time to check all modes and operation of the burners within 15 days, and if in doubt, you must consult the service center, the manufacturer’s website, or check the specification, if available, in order to exercise the right of exchange or refund in case of failure detection.

Also, read about how to avoid overheating furniture from the stove.

How to choose gas equipment

He must have instructions, and the person installing the device must give you a document certifying that the work was carried out in accordance with technical standards and safety rules.

Flexible hoses should be as short as possible (no more than 2 m) and tightly fitted to the tap. The maximum service life of a flexible hose is four years, but it is best to replace it every two years.

The hose clamp should provide a complete seal, but do not try to clamp it too tightly - this may cause the hose to break and cause a gas leak. It is important that constant ventilation is provided in the room. Do not plug the ventilation openings even in winter.

Earlier, the Minister of Housing and Communal Services of the Sverdlovsk Region, Nikolai Smirnov, said that Russia needs a legislative norm that would oblige homeowners to provide gas service employees with access to equipment during scheduled and unscheduled inspections.

According to Ekaterinburggaz, in 2022 the organization’s specialists were unable to gain access to 6.5 thousand apartments and 200 private houses - slightly more than 1.5% of the total number of consumers. Crews inspect equipment — boilers, heaters and ranges — annually.

Main news on the topic

Leak detection methods

Sometimes there is a need for urgent diagnostics before gas service specialists arrive. In order to take the necessary measures in a timely manner, the question arises of how to check for gas leaks at home using accessible methods. There are several simple methods to identify the cause or find the location of the damage.

The main signals that may indicate the spread of gas throughout the apartment:

• the fact of a leak is beyond doubt when there is a periodic smell of gas. If you notice a smell when the burners are lit or after turning off the equipment, this is the first sign that there is a leak somewhere. In its normal state, natural gas does not smell anything. When used for domestic needs, in order to detect leaks in a timely manner, it contains a substance that has a specific pungent odor;

• Another signal that is easy to detect is a change in the color of the burning gas flame. If the equipment is functioning correctly, the flame will have a uniform blue color. Otherwise, it will be yellow and acquire red hues;

• when a whistling sound is heard at the depressurization site, this indicates that gas is escaping from the damaged area.

Diagnostics of the external condition of the slab

Deformation of the slab is detected by external inspection. In addition, the condition of the plastic control knobs is checked for their strength by applying a little force.

The rigidity of the grate is checked by applying a vertical load of 25 kg to each table burner. The chemical resistance of the enamel coating is checked with a “test spot”: a section of the surface is moistened with acetic acid and the change in the surface reflection is monitored.

DIAGNOSTICS

We diagnose a gas stove over the phone, so the cost of this service for you is

0 RUBLES

How can you tell if your stove is leaking gas?

Humans cannot smell natural gas. The safety of household stoves is increased by the odorant ethanethiol (ethyl mercaptan). The odorant emits a sharp, unpleasant odor. Due to combustion problems, carbon monoxide is produced. It is also unpleasant, but does not directly indicate a domestic gas leak.

When faced with a choice between ventilating the kitchen or keeping it closed to hear foreign odors, it is better to go with the first option.

Modern stoves have gas control: the system operates using a fire sensor and an electromagnetic valve, which acts on a spring and shuts off the fuel supply

You should be concerned about a leak when the smell of ethanethiol lingers in the air for more than 5 minutes, especially during cooking. The polluted room is ventilated. Natural gas will accumulate in the corners, so there is no point in focusing on the fragrance. Waving your hand won't do anything.

You can find out about the condition of household appliances in 3 other ways:

• manipulations with the plate;
• checking for leaks;
• by sound.

To check the burners, turn off the hob. If there is an odor of odorant near the burners or it intensifies, there is a leak in that exact place. Modern stoves have valves that protect against excess gas entering the burner and shut off the fuel when the fire goes out.

The accumulated gas will still make itself felt. Methane with impurities will collect under the hob, and the owners will hear it next to the control knobs and control panel joints. In a dangerous situation, emergency personnel will help.

The slab should be moved away from the wall. An increased smell will indicate a leak at the connection point of the unit. If there is no visible damage, then simply replace the gaskets. New hoses and fittings will be needed if the defect is serious.

The condition of the stove tap is determined by the smell from the open oven. Its strengthening means a violation of the density in the parts, possibly a lack of lubrication.

Gas workers are required to inspect gas appliances in accordance with the contract and at least once a year: they must be required to fully inspect the stove and supply lines

Leak testing provides comprehensive information on leaks. Use a solution of dishwashing detergent or soap. Apply to threaded connections of a gas pipe, hose, pipes under the burners. When the first bubbles appear, it makes sense to turn off the gas and call the gas technicians. The wizard will determine all the problem points himself.

The gas does not escape silently, so quiet conditions can be created. The pressure in the unit vents everything unnecessary out, and a person will be able to find the approximate location of the leak. The strongest and most dangerous movements of fuel are accompanied by a whistle. In a room with a distinct gas sound, open the window wide and close the door. At the other end of the home, the owners will be most secure.

How to check for a domestic gas leak to make sure it exists?

Sometimes pipes or a gas tap are located in such a way that they are hidden by kitchen furniture. How to check for gas leaks in such hard-to-reach places? You can use the method of pressure testing for residual pressure. First you need to open the burners to allow gas to pass through them. Then turn them off and close the valve on the pipe. This will cause the remaining gas to appear in the gas pipeline, not completely burned. It only takes a few minutes to tell if there is a leak. Then you need to open any burner, turn it on to the maximum position and try to light it. When there is no leak, the remaining gas will ignite and burn out to the end. If nothing happens and the gas does not ignite, it means that the rest of it has managed to escape at the damaged area.

If the gas pipes are not covered by the kitchen unit and there is access to them, then there is a way to check for gas leaks simply by touch. It is enough to run your hand along all the connections on the gas pipe. The leak can be felt as a thin cold stream.

You should know the trick on how to check with a soap solution. Gas leaks can be detected using soap suds or shaving foam. It must be applied to the gas pipe, as well as all joints. Soap bubbles will appear in areas where gas escapes. It is better to apply the soap solution with a brush or shaving brush.

Special gas analyzers can help identify leaks. Such sensors can be installed together with sound detectors. If the permissible gas concentration level is exceeded, the sensor is triggered and the alarm is activated.

It is important to know how to check for gas leaks safely for yourself and others. You should absolutely not use a burning match or lighter for this! This threatens to explode.