+- MacResource (https://forums.macresource.com)
+-- Forum: My Category (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Tips and Deals (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Thread: Grrrr.... Leaky Gas Line (/showthread.php?tid=84530)
Pages:
1
2
Grrrr.... Leaky Gas Line - Don Kiyoti - 09-17-2009
I was happily working away yesterday (ok not so happily as the work was annoying) when a gas company contractor knocked on my door. He'd detected a leak on my side of the gas meter in the alley behind my house. What's next I ask? He has to shut off the gas and call the gas company for them to come out and look at it some more. Gas company guy says yep there's a tiny leak but he can't locate exactly where it's coming from. Doesn't matter: Gas stays off until I get the line fixed.
So I've called some plumbers to come over and estimate how much $$$ this will cost. The first estimate is from the gas company themselves: $1145 to relocate the meter next to my house, run a new line and tie it in to my home. Ouch. Although, they can split the cost into 12 payments and add it to my monthly bill, interest free. That's rather nice.
There are a couple of advantages to having the meter at my house, but we'll see what the plumbers say.
Not that I was gonna use that money for anything else, like buying groceries and stuff.
:banghead:
Re: Grrrr.... Leaky Gas Line - Robert M - 09-17-2009
Don,
What are the advantages of moving the meter and do you consider them worth the expense? If there is a compelling reason to move the meter, then go ahead and cough up the bucks to do it. But, if the location of the meter hasn't been a problem, then I'd be inclined to have the leak repaired and be done with it.
'course, if the estimates from the plumber (get at least two or three estimates) are expensive to the point where the difference between having them repair the leak and having the gas company move the meter, run the new line and connect it to your home is negligible, them you may as well move it.
Just wondering... I'd want to find the location and cause of the leak prior to doing anything else. For all you know, it may be the result of someone's negligence and/or in a spot that is outside of your expense. Meaning, it could the something that is the responsibility of someone else or the gas company itself. I'd hate to see you go through the expense only to find out that it was someone else's responsibility.
Regardless of your course of action, I'd get this taken care of quickly as gas leaks can be a potentially deadly issue.
Robert
Re: Grrrr.... Leaky Gas Line - cbelt3 - 09-17-2009
.. I hate to ask, but did you sign up for the 'gas line service' insurance that most gas companies offer ?
We had a similar situation- my father in law died after paying into the insurance plan for 20 years. We went to change the gas account on the house to our names. They did a 'test' and said that the line between their valve and the house was leaking. OK, I said- he paid on the insurance for 20 years, do it.
Sorry. This is YOUR account now. No claims at the start.
We paid $4,500 for a 150 foot line from the street valve to the house.
Re: Grrrr.... Leaky Gas Line - Robert M - 09-17-2009
Cbelt,
Your father-in-law paid for the insurance for that many years and they didn't notice the leak until _after_ you put the account into your names? Seems very fishy to me.
Robert
Re: Grrrr.... Leaky Gas Line - mikebw - 09-17-2009
It doesn't seem clear to me exactly who should be responsible for maintaining the line.
Re: Grrrr.... Leaky Gas Line - Don Kiyoti - 09-17-2009
Robert, The leak is detectable by means of a gas sniffer, but the soapy water test didn't reveal any bubbles. Where the riser goes into the ground from the meter, it's fairly corroded. There had been a water leak there some years ago. If it was an obvious leak at the elbow, I'd really consider doing it myself, although I'd still have to get a city permit and inspection. It's a very small leak, and is apparently a couple of feet in from the riser, and definitely on my side of the line. The idea of replacing the entire line is that if it's 50 years old and rusty at the meter, it's going to be the same along the whole length.
The distance to my house is about 50 feet. The advantages of moving the meter are: if the line fails, it's the gas company's problem, not mine. And the meter will be safe from being wiped out by an errant garbage truck or someone speeding through the alley (happens sometimes). Of course the new line is unlikely to fail in my lifetime, but it's a minor selling point to anybody who buys my house. They read the meter electronically so they don't need access to my yard.
Cbelt, no gas line insurance. Never had it.
Re: Grrrr.... Leaky Gas Line - Robert M - 09-17-2009
Don,
Good reasons to consider moving the meter, though I'd be surprised if, in the event the replacement gets damaged, it'd be covered by the gas company. Possibly for X amount of time as in a normal warranty period but not necessarily beyond that.
Robert
Re: Grrrr.... Leaky Gas Line - JoeH - 09-17-2009
Depends on the state public utility regulations. Here the line from the street to the meter is the gas company's responsibility, homeowner is only responsible for lines after the meter. Under federal and state rules the gas company is responsible for the meter, and here have to change it out and refurbish at least every 7 years.
Re: Grrrr.... Leaky Gas Line - Racer X - 09-17-2009
"Under federal and state rules the gas company is responsible for the meter, and here have to change it out and refurbish at least every 7 years."
Not many outside the industry know this, but natural gas is regulated by the DoT. Because it is "shipped" across state lines in pipes, it is a federal issue. Interstate shipping.
Re: Grrrr.... Leaky Gas Line - JoeH - 09-17-2009
True that Racer X, but each state and local government may impose additional rules that exceed DoT requirements. Can be fun finding where one ends and the other begins.