How Does a Plumber Find a Gas Leak

 A plumber will look for the following:

 
- Smell Gas. If you smell gas, call your gas company immediately and do not turn on or use any appliances that could cause a spark (this includes turning lights on and off). If you can't get in touch with your gas company, go to an emergency room and tell them what happened. They will be able to determine if it is safe for you to stay in your home or not.

- Listen For The Leak. Once the area where the smell of gas has been detected is isolated, it's time to listen for leaks by putting several drops of food into the suspected location of the gas leak. Do not turn on or use any appliances that could cause a spark (this includes turning lights on and off). If you don't hear hissing, bubbling, or other sounds coming from the suspected gas leak location then it is okay to go back into your home.

  - Look For The Leak. Once the area where the smell of gas has been detected is isolated, it's time to look for leaks by using water in spray bottles. Do not turn on or use any appliances that could cause a spark (this includes turning lights on and off). Spray all suspected areas of the gas leak with water. If you see bubbling or fizzing coming out of these areas it means there is a gas leak. If you do not see any bubbling or fizzing, you should be able to go back into your home.

  - Stop Leak Using Natural Methods. Once the area where the smell of gas has been detected is isolated, it's time to stop using natural methods to stop the leak by covering all cracks and openings with dirt, sand, sawdust, powdered soapstone, etc. The idea behind filling up spaces with these materials is that they are an absorbent that will soak up the gas and help prevent the possibility of a spark from occurring.

A plumber might also:

  - Use Specialized Equipment To Find Gas Leaks (patent). This equipment does not require a dummy for practice and is the most common method of finding gas leaks. A plumber with this equipment will use electronic sensors to detect and locate the exact location of a gas leak.

  - Use Specialized Equipment To Stop The Leak (patent). This equipment does not require a dummy for practice and is used when there is an extreme danger of explosion or flames. When using this type of equipment, it's important to have everyone evacuate your home so you are not putting yourself in further harm by being inside while the device is being operated. There are several types of specialized devices that can be used to stop a gas leak including plunger valves, air admittance valves, manually operated pressure release valves, etc.