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 in order to take corrective action in a timely manner. This knowledge can save a life.
Causes of gas leakage
There are several main problems that cause the smell of gas in the living room:
- improper installation or operation of equipment;
- presence of cracks, creases on the gas hose, its rupture;
- poor threaded connection on the hose nut, inside the gas stove;
- gas hose gasket wear;
- worn sealing materials on the gas valve;
- deterioration of the gas valve, its loose closure;
- Wrong burner operation;
- extinct fire when the burner is on.
Methods for detecting a leak
Sometimes there is a need for urgent diagnostics before the arrival of gas service specialists. In order to take the necessary measures in a timely manner, the question arises of how to check a gas leak at home using available methods. There are several simple methods to identify the cause or find the location of the damage.
The main signals by which you can suspect the spread of gas in the apartment:
the fact of a leak is not in doubt when it periodically smells of gas. If there is an odor when the burners are lit or after turning off the equipment, this is the first signal that there is a leak somewhere. Under normal conditions, natural gas has no smell. When used for domestic needs, in order to timely detect a leak, it contains a substance that has a specific pungent odor;
Another easy-to-detect signal is a change in the color of a burning gas flame. If the equipment is functioning correctly, the flame will be a solid blue color. Otherwise, it will be yellow, acquire red hues;
when a whistling sound is heard at the depressurization site, this indicates that gas is escaping at the damage site
How to check for a household gas leak to make sure it exists?
Sometimes pipes or a gas valve are located in such a way that kitchen furniture hides them. How to check for gas leaks in such hard-to-reach places? You can use the compression methodfor residual pressure. First you need to open the burners in order to pass gas through them. Then turn them off and close the valve on the pipe. So the remaining gas that has not burned to the end will appear in the gas pipeline. In order to understand if there is a leak, you need to wait only a few minutes. Then you need to open any burner, turn it on to the maximum position and try to light it. When there is no leakage, the remaining gas will ignite and burn to the end. If nothing happens and the gas does not ignite, it means that its residue managed to escape at the site of damage.
If the gas pipes are not covered by the kitchen set and there is access to them, then there is a trick on how to check for a gas leak simply by touch. It is enough to run your hand along all the connections on the gas pipe. Leakage can be felt as a stream of thin cold jet.
You should know the reception, how to check with soapy water. A gas leak can be checked with soap suds or shaving foam. It must be applied to the gas pipe, as well as all connections. Soap bubbles will appear in the gas outlet areas. Soap solution is best applied with a brush or shaving brush.
Special gas analyzers are capable of helping to detect a leak. Such sensors can be installed together with sound detectors. When the permissible level of gas concentration is exceeded, the sensor is triggered, the alarm is activated.
It is important to know how to check for a gas leak safely to yourself and others. It is strictly forbidden to use a burning match or a lighter for this! This threatens to explode.
Procedure and safety measures in the event of a leak
If there is no doubt about the leak, follow these steps:
- turn off the stove;
- turn off the gas pipeline valve;
- open windows to let in fresh air and ventilate the room;
- notify emergency gas service;
- refrain from smoking, do not turn on electrical appliances to avoid sparks. It is better to completely de-energize the apartment by turning off the machines on the electrical panel.
If you suspect a malfunction of the equipment, as well as in case of self-detection of a leak, you should contact professionals for troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting tips
Gas leakage can occur in different sections of the gas pipeline. How to fix it depends on the location of the damage.
In the event of gas escaping at threaded connections, you should:
- unwind the connection;
- remove worn winding, sealing and sealing materials;
- check thread condition;
- if it is in order, then re-seal the connection and install seals;
- assemble the connection and tighten tightly to prevent gas from escaping;
- check seal with soap suds.
When leaking due to failed sealing materials:
- unwind the connection;
- remove worn sealing materials;
- install new gaskets;
- assemble the connection and tighten it tightly;
- check seal with soapy water.
If the gas hose is worn, kinked or cracked, 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;
- leak comes from under the handle 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 install the burner handle in place;
- gas comes out under the burner nut. It is required to carefully tighten the nut more tightly, trying not to strip the thread.
In these cases, it is better to seek help from qualified professionals who have access to work with gas equipment.
Gas leak in a car with LPG
With the correct functioning of a car with LPG - gas-balloon equipment - no smell of gas should be present. If the smell of gas is felt, there is a leak of gas fuel. This can happen for the following reasons:
- hardware installed incorrectly;
- connections leaking;
- fuel hoses or other parts are of poor quality or worn out.
Techniques for checking a gas leak in a car are the same as for home gas appliances. Convenientlyuse sensors in the car interior - gas analyzers or check the fuel system with soapy water.
To prevent leakage and for the proper operation of HBO, you must follow some rules:
- do not use plastic or wire ties when installing HBO in a car. It is better to install spring ones that do not require tightening;
- use only copper or PVC pipes as gas hoses, as they are more durable;
- Change or clean the air filter regularly;
- perform maintenance and adjustment of equipment in a timely manner.
