How do I know if my house has a gas line? That question is something a lot of people ask, and rightfully so. A gas line is worth thousands of dollars, and not knowing if you have one can put a deal at risk.
To know if your house has a gas line, look for your home’s gas meter. If you have a gas line, you should see a metal cylinder with a valve handle attached to it on one side of a meter. You can also look for shut-off valves behind the stove or water heater, which indicate the presence of a gas line.
The purpose of this article will help you determine whether or not you have a gas line. And if you do, the safety measures to have in place for you and your family.
Understand What Your Home’s Gas Lines Look Like
To understand what your gas line looks like, you need to know where the gas meter is located and what different pipes are connected to it, including the following:
- The main service pipe that connects the utility supply to your house. This pipe can come from either the left or right side of the meter.
- The regulator regulates the pressure in the gas lines. It’s connected to a vent pipe that releases natural gas byproducts, like carbon dioxide or methane.
- A smaller diameter pipe that goes through the wall of your home and carries gas inside your house.
What Does a Gas Line Look Like?
Gas lines are made of rigid, durable black plastic designed to withstand all types of weather conditions. The plastic pipes run along the ground and underground in most cases. A gas line on your property will be near the perimeter within 10 feet (3.05 m) of your home’s foundation.
Gas lines are connected to your home through three-quarter-inch (1.91 cm) pipes that run from the main supply into your home’s gas meter.
The pipe connects to other pipes throughout your home to power appliances and fixtures such as ovens and fireplaces.
Now that you know what a gas line looks like check the following places:
1. The Meter
The location of your natural gas meter is on an exterior wall near where the gas line enters your house.
If you see a metal cylinder with a valve handle attached to one side of the meter, you have a gas line running through your home.
2. Shut-Off Valves
If you find a meter, look for shut-off valves inside the house.
These are usually located directly behind the stove or water heater.
Shut-off valves let you stop gas flow in an emergency or when changing out appliances.
If you find these valves, there’s likely a gas line connected to the appliance.
3. Gas Furnace
A gas line will probably run into your house if you have a gas furnace.
Cast iron or steel are standard lines for a furnace if the house is more than ten years old.
These kinds of lines can break and leak natural gas.
If you don’t have a gas furnace but have a gas stove, a gas line will probably run into your house.
Many older homes have gas stoves but no other gas appliances.
Read also: What Kind Of Door Should Be On A Furnace Room?
Call Your Utility Company To Confirm You Have a Gas Line
Suppose you suspect that there may be a gas line in your home but can’t locate the meter or appliances that indicate that you have a gas line.
In that case, you can call your utility company to tell you if you have a gas line and if it’s still active.
Another option is to hire a home inspector to inspect your home and determine if any gas lines are running through it.
A professional can assess the situation and let you know with certainty whether or not there’s a gas line connected to your home.
What Can I Do To Make Sure That My Gas Lines Are Safe?
Gas leaks are hazardous, and they can even be deadly.
If you’re concerned about the safety or integrity of your gas lines, there are a few things that you can do to ensure that everything’s safe.
The first thing you should do is make sure that you’re aware of any possible leaks within your home.
When a leak occurs, it’s crucial to call the authorities immediately to fix the issue before it becomes a bigger problem.
Don’t store flammable liquids or combustible materials near your gas meter or other natural gas equipment. The next thing you should do is make sure that your gas lines have been pressure tested. A gas line pressure test will check for leaks.
If any problems are found, they can be corrected quickly before anything serious happens.
Related: Does Gas Pipe Need Sleeving Through A Wall?
Conclusion
The most basic way of knowing if a house has a gas line is to look for a gas meter or gas shut-off valve outside the home.
Knowing the location of shut-off valves is a reasonable safety precaution, even though natural gas leaks are rare.
A regular visual inspection for leaks will significantly reduce the possibility of an accidental fire caused by natural gas.
Cheers, tools owners!
