Gas Line Replacement and Installation

Gas Line Replacement and Installation

One of the more common yet highly dangerous emergencies where home plumbing is concerned is a leaking gas line.  It is a colorless, odorless substance which makes it extremely difficult to detect.  Roughly half of all homes in the U.S rely on natural gas to operate their appliances (ovens and stoves) as well as their heating system.  Because American homes access this substance through thousands of miles of pipe that is buried underground, Anytime Plumbing is often called for gas line replacement and installation services or to repair a leaking gas line.

What causes gas leaks?

Although indoor gas leaks aren’t uncommon, they occur most frequently outside the home.  Therefore, it’s important to know some of the more common causes of gas leaks.  For instance, you can rupture a gas line if you aren’t careful when digging in your garden or yard.  In addition to rupturing a gas line while digging, 3 other common causes of gas leaks are:

• eroded, faulty piping underneath your home
• high levels of CO₂ caused by improper ventilation or a lack thereof
• poorly fitted or maintained appliances and pipe fittings

Furthermore, if you are using older appliances, it’s important to have them serviced on a regularly scheduled basis.  Anytime Plumbing preventative maintenance and repair services can help you avoid costly gas line replacement and installation.

What are the warning signs of a gas leak?

No matter if your gas lines are above or below ground, they can corrode and deteriorate over time.  In order to detect a gas leak, it’s important to know the warning signs.  The following are several signs and symptoms that will enable you to detect a gas leak:

• Dead grass or plants – while underground leaks are harder to detect, dying grass and vegetation may indicate the presence of a gas leak.
• Hissing noises – if you’re able to hear a hissing sound, it could mean there’s a rip or a tear in your gas line and have a substantial leak.  This isn’t something to neglect, so we recommend you call Anytime Plumbing immediately.
• Rotten egg smell – natural gas is colorless and odorless until utility companies add a component known as mercaptan to it.  This is what gives natural gas its characteristic rotten egg or sulfur smell.  If you notice this smell in your home, it may be that a burner on your stove wasn’t turned off completely or a pilot light has gone out.  Otherwise, you should contact Anytime Plumbing Santa Cruz emergency services to locate where the leak is.
• Gas appliance issues – if you are using older gas appliances, one of them may be malfunctioning and leaking as a result. It is best to upgrade it to a more modern appliance so that there is no leakage for a long time.
• Higher than average gas bills – hidden gas leaks can be hard to detect.  When you have an issue like this, you could be seeing higher than normal gas bills each month. Don’t ignore them but call in a gas service professional to rectify the leakage issue.

Are you having any unexplained health issues?

Individuals who are unaware that they are being continually exposed to a leaking gas line may start experiencing unexplainable health issues.  If you’re experiencing any or a combination of the following health issues, you should see your doctor:

• chest pain
• difficulty breathing or irregularities with your breathing
• dizziness or light-headedness
• fatigue
• flu-like symptoms
• headaches
• nausea
• unusual drowsiness

After that, contact our team at Anytime Plumbing, to determine if you need our gas line replacement and installation services. Our experts will evaluate the situation and give you an honest feedback. That will help you make the right decision.

How much do gas line repairs/ gas line replacement and installation cost?

Repairing a gas line usually means replacing it, especially if it’s leaking.  In most cases, the cost to replace a gas line is determined by the amount of labor and materials that are required to do the job correctly.  The average cost of a gas line replacement and installation ranges from $250 on the low end up to $750 on the high end.  However, you might pay as little as $150 while high-end companies could charge you up to $1,300.

In most cases, the two main factors that influence the cost of replacing and installing a gas line are labor and material costs.  Anytime Plumbing will provide an up-front quote on the cost of the replacement and installation of a new gas line once we’ve determined the amount of labor and materials that will be involved. 

To find out if you have a gas leak and where it’s located or for additional information about gas line replacement and installation, contact Anytime Plumbing today. Call us now!