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I had got a permit to extend my existing gas line to my kitchen so that I can change my stove from electric to gas. I got the plumber to get the new line to the kitchen. Once the new line was completed, I shutdown the values of the gas to other appliances in the house.
I got a new gas gauge to check if the gas line holds to 10PSI as per the code. When I plugged in the gauge to the new gas line and opened the main gas value, I checked with my plumber to see if there are any gas leaks using soap+water and there was no leaks on the new pipes.
But when I checked the gas gauge, it remained at 0 PSI. I pressed on the knob on the side of the gas gauge and I could smell the gas flowing into the gauge.
Can someone please tell me how to go about the gas pressure testing procedure that needs to be done for inspection?
I checked couple of discussions and I would like to confirm if my understanding is right.
1. Pump up the gauge to 10 PSI by injecting air via the small knob with the help of the hand pump (which we use for pumping air into the tires of the car or any other vehicle).
2. Once the pressure reaches 10PSI., close the knob and connect the gas gauge to the gas line (after shutting down the gas value)
3. Once the gauge is connected, open the gas value and check if the gauge holds steady at 10PSI for the next 10-15mins with the inspector onsite.
4. Check for leaks on the existing gas pipe for any leakages.
If these steps are right, how does the guage remain at 10PSI, after I pumped air in it? I mean how do we know that the gas flow is keeping the 10 PSI and not the air I had previously pumped in via the air hand pump to keep it at 10PSI in the first place?
Please let me know your comments and thoughts and let me know your suggesstions.
You really need a licensed plumber on this one. If you didnt disconnect meter you most likely have already damaged meter. Its this simple,,, if gauge doesnt go up at all, there is a serious leak somewhere. I wish you the best of luck, not much more we can do for you from here. Take care. Lee.
Gas meters in my area have pressure regulator installed on left side of the meter. The regulator reduces incoming gas pressure to 0.3 psi. If you happen to have such a pressure regulator on your gas meter than all pressure you are trying to put in is most likely escaping through the regulator.
I agree with MGD77: call licensed plumber, journeyman. He'll know how to deal with it. It is gas you are dealing with so you wanna be 100% sure all is tested properly.
Sorry for not updating you the status. I finally got the contractor to plug the lines that are connected to my appliances. I also removed the main connection near the meter reading and plugged it as well. I installed 2 guages one near the main line and the other near the other end of the new gas line in the kitchen and pumped in 10PSI air into the line.
I waited for 15mins and I noticed small drop in air pressure maybe it went around 9.8 or 9.9PSI. Is that acceptable as per the standard testing.
Such a small drop in pressure is acceptable. It may be caused by pressure equalizing across the system and / or by differences in temperature as the pipes run throughout your house. But you are definitely on the right tract.
However, if it continues steady decline, you should investigate. Leave it pumped up for 30 minutes and see how low it will drop.
I personally find any drop whatsoever in fifteen minutes unacceptable. I would do as Milo says and retest for thirty minutes. If pressure keeps dropping, pump system up to 50 pounds or so and soap all accessable joints.
I tested multiple times and I noticed that the pressure is held at 10PSI for 15-30 mins but it drops down over a period of time. I mean if I look at 1hr it will be at 9.8PSI and so on.
I would really like to thank you all the experts for their valuable guidance and patience in answering my questions. I finally got the gas pressure test passed. The inspector finally approved the pressure test. I followed the instructions as provided by the experts in this forum and it really worked.
I have one last question to ask - I need to get the mechnical final inspection where I have been told to get the appliance in place and call for inspection.
Can you please let me know what needs to be done...
Well, I wouldn't think so. What are they going to inspect, its a stove not a furnace. Call the local building office, but I would think the gas inspection should be all that is needed.
They do it when they are slow. Inspector wants to see a gas shut off valve installed on each appliance and also wants to see the type of gas flex you used. That's all. This inspection will be only a formality. Inspector should be in 'n' out in 2 minutes.
I had the gas range right in place - I told the inspector I can hook it up and keep it ready. He just took only 5mins for the gas pressure test. He told me call for another inspection and that is costing me 100dollars.
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