Been watching studPack for years, needed some info on testing for leaks in propane and found an OG 5year old video. So great to see the progress in y’all’s videos and production. The OG videos are great too though, straight to the point and so helpful
I keep finding horrendous gas leaks in my bathroom, every time I take a bath. Bubbles everywhere! Sorry. It was too good to "pass" up! Keep up the great work, boys. I love this channel.
Excellent video to show the extensive step-by-step procedure to detect where is leak source is and confirmed by 15 psi - 1-hour holding duration after the final fix. Good Job!
Thanks so much for this video! What I found especially helpful is the rate of change that you shared for the pressure readings. This gives me hope that I will find my leak(s).
I had a helluva time dealing with gas leaks when I started the complete renovation of my 1892 home. Finally figured out the flaring tool I had bought had a defect in it. 3rd time around I was good to go😁
Our house isn't nearly as old as yours but we're starting to wonder if having new gas lines installed is cheaper than having them hunt down a leak especially if the house is old they say the lines are corroded.
Nice vid! One observation, if you had started with 15 psi, perhaps you wouldn't have to cut open all the walls? Also, I would use an electronic gas detector to check areas for gas leak; even area with no pipe joints, when you still had gas available. (Understand you're using air and not gas.)
I have worked in the refinery industry for 40 plus years as a jack of all trades. As a pipe fitter I have laid hundreds of feet and you never put pipe dope on the face of a hard pipe union. That will cause a problem with the seal, not prevent one, Give me a break! I have ran pipe from 1/8 inch tubbing to 102 inch ID, big enough to walk through. Please don't put pipe dope on the union face! Think about what it will do. Just make sure the union is facing the right direction with the flow of the line. Never, Never, Never put pipe sealer on the union face, I'm telling you the truth!
I’ve always doped unions for a better seal and never had an issue. It’s not as smooth if a surface as a flare fitting or compression fitting is so I’ve always found it to work better. You don’t have to crank on it just to get it to seal
@@3nertia pipe dope is plumbing slang for pipe thread sealant. I just put a little bit on the surface and it seems to make a better seal. If you don’t use it, you have to really crank on them to get them to seal.
Well done! I did my own gas plumbing (gasp! It’s ok, I’m an engineer) and I pumped it up to 50 psi for one week. Suffice it to say, I sleep well at nite!
Thank you for sharing this video! Currently planning to rent to own a home that has a gas leak and i wanted to see if i could fix it myself, Thank you for sharing!
Was sure hoping to see you guys use a sniffer. I have a tiny leak (about 1lb every 4-5 hrs) and have been advised to pressurize with gas and use a sniffer. Thanks for the vid though
please correct me if i am wrong. when you're tightening the union aren't you supposed to hold the nut with the external threads? you're turning the big center nut ok, but you're holding wrench should be on the other side. thanks.
Thx Mark. Yes you're correct about the wrench placement. IIRC, I think that the half of the union that I had the wrench on started to loosen when I tightened the centered nut. Didn't want another leak.
Only a dummy would use a thread protector as a coupling. I explained this to various contractors over the years. I was in Batesville Ms. in 87 building a can plant and all the couplings in a 2 " water line was leaking. I had the night shift supervisors responsibility and no one on the day shift knew what was going on. They turned the problem over to me and I literally had to draw them a picture as to what a coupling looked like in side the threads. I showed them the thread protector and they began to better understand what the leaks were all about. Some people, I sware I don't see how they get by as a skilled craftsman. Good video'! Make sure the nose of the union is going with the flow of the gas! It matters! Never put pipe dope on the face of any union. Put it on the coupling threads only! If a hard pipe union is facing the wrong direction it will have problems in the future!
Retired 40 year veteran union plumber. I was taught as an apprentice to always wire brush the faces and threads of unions, and then apply a thin layer of pipe dope. To this day...I personally have never had a leak on threaded joint.🤷♂️
All that work , I feel your pain guys has happened to me , inspector shows up , drops the psi in pipe a few pounds, looks at everything , about 10 mins later checks gauge again , ok no pressure drop good to go signs off and that's it , now Time to do repairs 🤦
6:19 Never use a bourdon type gauge like the man is using/ not showing small movements to the eye Always usually an Electronic gauge calibrated within a year. I've been testing and training the gas industry internationally for many years so not an amateur
Important note I did hear mentioned, make sure you are not connected to any appliances! Once you go over 5psi, you risk compromising the gas valve on your appliances!
How would you go about finding a very small leak in a piping system where the pressure drops 1psi over 30-60min but soap at the joints does not reveal any bubbles? is there another leak detection approach?
I understand this comment is old BUT. You should NOT be using soap to check for leaks. Use a dedicated solution such as was shown. Soap will corrode the pipe if you don't remove it post leak check. Dedicated leak checker will also give you much better bubbles. Also, like the video, check at a higher pressure.
Jesus i hope who ever piped the gas in that house was a novice because imagine an experienced plumber using a thread protector as a coupling! That was wild, and the pipe dope on the union 😭 the last straw was no safety plates.. that is just messed up man.
I suspect a gas leak around gas cooktop. Gas fitter has tested the hose, regulator and connection points, no leak. But I can smell the gas sometimes. Gas fitter is very expensive here, I can't afford to let them wait for an hour to see whether psi is holding or changing. Can gas leak intermittent? My gas meter reading changes a bit (1-2 grids) overnight ( around 8hrs), but I don't always smell the gas, sometimes smell comes in the morning,sometimes comes in the afternoon or evening. Very frustrating. Any suggestions or advice?
I'm just guessing here but I would assume they can purge it through the test valve down to 0 psi and then the gas will flow in when the utility turns it back on. Firing up each appliance at the end of the pipe run for a minute should clear any ambient air out of the lines, sort of like opening a tap after the water has been shut off.
Just a small critique. When you opened the union, you did not make it clear that you had turned the main gas line off. Some do it yourselfer may open the union without turning off the gas first.
If you have a leak then you have a leak You should never put a gas line up to 100 PSI there's no reason to ever go above 15 psi unless you have some specific industrial situation that requires that level
I need help. Neighbor spraying huge amount of Febreeze ( cover- up sprays) and then insecticide. Please this is serious, not a joke. The real estate company said they can’t do anything be it’s a he said she said situation. I need to find a gadget or something to show proof of the seriousness of what she is doing.
The Gas company came out and told us they have detected a gas leak. They tracked it down to the fireplace valve and told us if we didn't use the fireplace, which we haven't for decades, that we could hire someone to cap that off and then our gas could be turned back on. We hired a plumber to cap off the fireplace valve (not sure I'm using the right term) and he tested it and said we could call the Gas company to turn the gas back on. Gas company comes back out and says we still have a leak. I'm starting to think it could be in the attic just like in this video because I don't think anyone has checked the attic. Should we ask them to use 15 psi and check the attic? The Gas company today said, they could move our meter closer to the house. I guess they are trying to eliminate us having to dig in the concrete cool deck of our pool?
Gas lines are seldom more that 6 inches of water column that is equivalent to two tenths of one PSI ...Testing at 15 PSI is way overkill. If you pass that test , you are good to go.
On the west coast they’re strapped to the structure in the garage (think earthquake). In the north they’re in the basement (won’t freeze). Southeastern US up in the attic. Most people think that’s odd because of water damage from a leak. They’re supposed to be in a pan with a drain line to the outside. I’ve never seen one that wasn’t plus I can’t remember one time where an attic water heater leaked and caused significant damage. Overflowing AC units cause way more damage here. My mom’s house has the water heater in a closet. Tremendous waste of space. Can’t wait to move that in the attic 😂👍
Been watching studPack for years, needed some info on testing for leaks in propane and found an OG 5year old video. So great to see the progress in y’all’s videos and production. The OG videos are great too though, straight to the point and so helpful
I keep finding horrendous gas leaks in my bathroom, every time I take a bath. Bubbles everywhere!
Sorry. It was too good to "pass" up!
Keep up the great work, boys. I love this channel.
Do you feel a sense of accomplishment afterwards? 😂
Great job finding a leak, and good example of patient approach. Doing the job right!
Paul - you are the best. I ALWAYS learn something from you. Interesting, to the point, very practical knowledge.
Standard Spray bottle cool! LOL I heard that Jordan!
Excellent video to show the extensive step-by-step procedure to detect where is leak source is and confirmed by 15 psi - 1-hour holding duration after the final fix. Good Job!
Thanks so much for this video! What I found especially helpful is the rate of change that you shared for the pressure readings. This gives me hope that I will find my leak(s).
Followed your instructions, started test w 5psi, held pressure onto the next day, safety first👍thank you
Great job. That takes lots of patience. You taught me A LOT. THANKS!!
Great troubleshooting resource. Very informative and well put together video!
I had a helluva time dealing with gas leaks when I started the complete renovation of my 1892 home. Finally figured out the flaring tool I had bought had a defect in it. 3rd time around I was good to go😁
Our house isn't nearly as old as yours but we're starting to wonder if having new gas lines installed is cheaper than having them hunt down a leak especially if the house is old they say the lines are corroded.
Nice vid!
One observation, if you had started with 15 psi, perhaps you wouldn't have to cut open all the walls?
Also, I would use an electronic gas detector to check areas for gas leak; even area with no pipe joints, when you still had gas available.
(Understand you're using air and not gas.)
I use a propane torch and or Bic lighter, youre a scardey cat.
I learned you need to put sealant in the union. My first time working on ng lines. Thank you. Also, i learned how to check for leaks .
I have worked in the refinery industry for 40 plus years as a jack of all trades. As a pipe fitter I have laid hundreds of feet and you never put pipe dope on the face of a hard pipe union. That will cause a problem with the seal, not prevent one, Give me a break! I have ran pipe from 1/8 inch tubbing to 102 inch ID, big enough to walk through. Please don't put pipe dope on the union face! Think about what it will do. Just make sure the union is facing the right direction with the flow of the line. Never, Never, Never put pipe sealer on the union face, I'm telling you the truth!
Don't use sealant on the machine surfaces of any union.
I’ve always doped unions for a better seal and never had an issue. It’s not as smooth if a surface as a flare fitting or compression fitting is so I’ve always found it to work better. You don’t have to crank on it just to get it to seal
Sorry but what do you mean by "doped"? Doping them with what, please?
@@3nertia pipe dope is plumbing slang for pipe thread sealant. I just put a little bit on the surface and it seems to make a better seal. If you don’t use it, you have to really crank on them to get them to seal.
@@joshcowart2446 Thanks!
Funny, in the closing scene, I heard hissing in the background. I jokingly thought to myself, man, that's a big leak! 😂
Nice how you re move the drywall in anticipation of reusing it.
Well done! I did my own gas plumbing (gasp! It’s ok, I’m an engineer) and I pumped it up to 50 psi for one week. Suffice it to say, I sleep well at nite!
Sindhi Balochi // lannat.Want to kill Zoya via Riaz and Kabbir,Shabbir and Ujalas medical tests .Seeing you in court with cable operater.
Leave it to an engineer to "over-engineer" something for peace of mind :D
Thank you for sharing this video! Currently planning to rent to own a home that has a gas leak and i wanted to see if i could fix it myself, Thank you for sharing!
Hire a gas professional. Will save you time, money, and aggravation.
Thank you very much! Helpful and informative video. Now I can proceed with confidence.
Was sure hoping to see you guys use a sniffer. I have a tiny leak (about 1lb every 4-5 hrs) and have been advised to pressurize with gas and use a sniffer. Thanks for the vid though
Outstanding. Great work guys
please correct me if i am wrong. when you're tightening the union aren't you supposed to hold the nut with the external threads? you're turning the big center nut ok, but you're holding wrench should be on the other side. thanks.
Thx Mark. Yes you're correct about the wrench placement. IIRC, I think that the half of the union that I had the wrench on started to loosen when I tightened the centered nut. Didn't want another leak.
Only a dummy would use a thread protector as a coupling. I explained this to various contractors over the years. I was in Batesville Ms. in 87 building a can plant and all the couplings in a 2 " water line was leaking. I had the night shift supervisors responsibility and no one on the day shift knew what was going on. They turned the problem over to me and I literally had to draw them a picture as to what a coupling looked like in side the threads. I showed them the thread protector and they began to better understand what the leaks were all about. Some people, I sware I don't see how they get by as a skilled craftsman. Good video'! Make sure the nose of the union is going with the flow of the gas! It matters! Never put pipe dope on the face of any union. Put it on the coupling threads only! If a hard pipe union is facing the wrong direction it will have problems in the future!
Retired 40 year veteran union plumber. I was taught as an apprentice to always wire brush the faces and threads of unions, and then apply a thin layer of pipe dope. To this day...I personally have never had a leak on threaded joint.🤷♂️
I’m a master plumber. Unions aren’t threaded joints. They are ground joints.
@@gunsnstuff4040 What does that mean, "ground joints", please?
Ground Joints have a wider surface that have precise mating tapers that provide a high compression gas or water tight seal.
@@3nertia
@@gunsnstuff4040I'm not a plumber, but they have threads on the side where the pipe attaches.
@@vdns76b Not all threads make the joint. That applies to this. You're right about one thing: You are not a Plumber. And it shows. Take care!
Good job 👍
All that work , I feel your pain guys has happened to me , inspector shows up , drops the psi in pipe a few pounds, looks at everything , about 10 mins later checks gauge again , ok no pressure drop good to go signs off and that's it , now Time to do repairs 🤦
Seems like an inspection camera would've come in very handy.
Handy but potentially very expensive heh
Do you have to disconnect all gas appliances and cap off pipe ends before adding pressure to gas pipe lines?
Yes. Isolate appliances 👍
Great , great video , THANK you sooooo much guys .. you guys ROCK
Bummer that you had to rip open all those walls to find nothing. Thanks to the plumbers that "Checked" all the fittings in the attic.
Comes with the territory
6:19 Never use a bourdon type gauge like the man is using/ not showing small movements to the eye
Always usually an Electronic gauge calibrated within a year.
I've been testing and training the gas industry internationally for many years so not an amateur
Important note I did hear mentioned, make sure you are not connected to any appliances! Once you go over 5psi, you risk compromising the gas valve on your appliances!
Great video!
How would you go about finding a very small leak in a piping system where the pressure drops 1psi over 30-60min but soap at the joints does not reveal any bubbles? is there another leak detection approach?
Electronic leak detector?
I understand this comment is old BUT. You should NOT be using soap to check for leaks. Use a dedicated solution such as was shown. Soap will corrode the pipe if you don't remove it post leak check. Dedicated leak checker will also give you much better bubbles. Also, like the video, check at a higher pressure.
Use a torch or bic lighter.
When you test the system, do you isolate all the appliances?
Yes. Turn all valves off or in this case all lines were capped off 👍
PartyOn! You’re the man!
Good camera work.
How do you find an undetectable leak? Gauge loses pressure but no leak detected at fittings.
Check the pipes themselves!
How much natural gas pressure is in a home gas line..?
Jesus i hope who ever piped the gas in that house was a novice because imagine an experienced plumber using a thread protector as a coupling! That was wild, and the pipe dope on the union 😭 the last straw was no safety plates.. that is just messed up man.
I saw a tread protector on some gas piping that the gas co installed.🤔
great job step -by step like it
Great job
How long is that system expected to hold 15 psi for? Indefinitely?
This is an amazing video!
I suspect a gas leak around gas cooktop. Gas fitter has tested the hose, regulator and connection points, no leak. But I can smell the gas sometimes. Gas fitter is very expensive here, I can't afford to let them wait for an hour to see whether psi is holding or changing. Can gas leak intermittent? My gas meter reading changes a bit (1-2 grids) overnight ( around 8hrs), but I don't always smell the gas, sometimes smell comes in the morning,sometimes comes in the afternoon or evening. Very frustrating. Any suggestions or advice?
Avoid things like beans and brocolli, especially before bed.
If there is gas use a gas detector to find your leak you only have to use air pressure if gas is off
Very good video.
If the leak was at the union, why couldn't you just tighten the union? Why did you have to take it apart first, then tighten it back down?
After repairing the leak how do you purge the air out of the system to fill with nat gas?
I'm just guessing here but I would assume they can purge it through the test valve down to 0 psi and then the gas will flow in when the utility turns it back on. Firing up each appliance at the end of the pipe run for a minute should clear any ambient air out of the lines, sort of like opening a tap after the water has been shut off.
Usually with a cobra. It'll come outta there with flute music.
much love- appreciate
How did you tighten at a 90?
We got lucky and there was a union nearby:)
Water heater in the attic -- I guess that's a Louisiana thing?
2:30 Lol, that was my thought also.
How convenient the walls are open 😂
Regardless, good luck replacing this water heater up high in the attic!
Can that gas leak into the tap water?
Yes it can… and if your a smoker watch out
I work guys opening up the wall and being patient!
In California unions are not allowed in attics or crawl spaces. Outside only
What happens if the gas system explodes
Gas system is not testable easy ! The regulator will mess up everything ! Use a sniffer !
That was great......
Just a small critique. When you opened the union, you did not make it clear that you had turned the main gas line off. Some do it yourselfer may open the union without turning off the gas first.
Yeah but the gas meter was clearly disconnected from the house at the beginning of the video. But I hear you, DIYer's might not have seen this.
@@StudPack dIYers should not be messing with gas lines.
If you have a leak then you have a leak
You should never put a gas line up to 100 PSI there's no reason to ever go above 15 psi unless you have some specific industrial situation that requires that level
.e to I love this channel
I need help. Neighbor spraying huge amount of Febreeze ( cover- up sprays) and then insecticide. Please this is serious, not a joke. The real estate company said they can’t do anything be it’s a he said she said situation. I need to find a gadget or something to show proof of the seriousness of what she is doing.
Leak detector would of saved all that trouble
The Gas company came out and told us they have detected a gas leak. They tracked it down to the fireplace valve and told us if we didn't use the fireplace, which we haven't for decades, that we could hire someone to cap that off and then our gas could be turned back on. We hired a plumber to cap off the fireplace valve (not sure I'm using the right term) and he tested it and said we could call the Gas company to turn the gas back on. Gas company comes back out and says we still have a leak. I'm starting to think it could be in the attic just like in this video because I don't think anyone has checked the attic. Should we ask them to use 15 psi and check the attic? The Gas company today said, they could move our meter closer to the house. I guess they are trying to eliminate us having to dig in the concrete cool deck of our pool?
Yeah, an endoscop would have saved you SO MUCH future work!
Next phase::: repair all the drywall
.
why not use a gas detector?
Gas is not connected. The gas company won’t connect it until it passes a pressure test.
dish soap and water worked for me
Hira Saba dish soap and Bilawal water worked for yew.
😂after tearing down the house?
How mm var
Gas lines are seldom more that 6 inches of water column that is equivalent to two tenths of one PSI ...Testing at 15 PSI is way overkill.
If you pass that test , you are good to go.
It was leaking down @ 5psi. They could not find the leak at 5, so increased to 15 and found the leak.
Not too smart,you should have went up to 15 before opening the walls?
I see a bushing (illegal) by the leaky union. I always put pipe dope on the union sides face and ends (not threads),
Instead of tearing the house apart, a camera would help on the next one.
Oo
I will never understand why North Americans keep their water heaters in their attics.
On the west coast they’re strapped to the structure in the garage (think earthquake). In the north they’re in the basement (won’t freeze). Southeastern US up in the attic. Most people think that’s odd because of water damage from a leak. They’re supposed to be in a pan with a drain line to the outside. I’ve never seen one that wasn’t plus I can’t remember one time where an attic water heater leaked and caused significant damage. Overflowing AC units cause way more damage here. My mom’s house has the water heater in a closet. Tremendous waste of space. Can’t wait to move that in the attic 😂👍
Be some shit if the original guage was junk an was leaking itself
“Standard bottle…cool” 🤣
Sad- Ist Manto stupidity has no limits .Get lost.
Always put pipe dope on the face of unions
Inspectors here will fail us for that 👍👊
Thanks.
We have gas leak
We did not want to start at 100psi