PROBLEM: I've completed the gas line installation to five end points with a max of 50 ft (three branches) from the meter. All end points have caps and no valves on the test. I've shut off the gas at the meter, installed the test gauge at one of the end points, and tried pumping it up. The needle doesn't budge. The gauge works fine, and I've tested it independently.

THINGS I'VE TRIED:
- I've gone through every connect with the gas on and sprayed with Snoop leak detector and found nothing.
- I've check *every* joint, and they all look solid. I tightened them all myself, and, as the homeowner, likely over did the tightening. I also used the appropriately sealant (yellow goop in a tube) on the threads.

What am I doing wrong! I'm beyond stumped.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

Sincerely,
Stumped

Hi Wtarnold

Is this gas meter shutoff on the INLET side of the gas meter? In other words, are you testing through the GAS METER or a PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE? If you are testing through the meter or pressure regulator then this is probably the issue... pressure could be bleeding off through a safety relief valve here!

If possible, eliminate the regulators and the gas meter itself from the equation... after that, if all lines are capped and you still have a leak then the issue is in the pipes (i.e. a leak) or in your test equipment!

Back to you...

Mark

Mark, I think you're aboslutely right. I checked that before, but I think my meter is older and does not have a valve on the house side of the meter, only the street side. I didn't know the meter had a regulator that would expel the air I pushed into it. So, the only way to test the system would be to cap the main line from the meter after the meter.

This was very helpful... my first post to one of these question/answer forums. I hit the jackpot!

Thank you very much, Mark.

Never mind that testing through a gas meter can rupture the diaphragm... hoping that is not the case here!

Super glad if I was helpful! Thanks for taking the time to update me.