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    irshad101's Avatar
    irshad101 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Oct 8, 2007, 04:50 PM
    Gas leak in basement
    Hi, I have a quick question.
    I recently installed a tankless water heater. The company that installed it is called rinnai. Soon after the workers left, I started a strange smell in the basement. I ignored it at first thinking it was a normal part of the construction of our new water heater. A few hours later, everyone in my house started feeling nauseous and dizzy. My little son felt sick and started throwing up. I immediately called the company which installed our heater and told them about our situation. They sent an inspector who found that there was a major gas leak coming from one of the pipes. He repaired it and told me to keep the windows open which I did. A few days passed and we continued feeling sick. The smell was also there. Today I called our gas company. An inspector came and he found that we a have a minor gas leak. He said that he would send an inspector tomorrow. I was told to keep my windows open and that since the leak is minor, there's nothing to be worried about.
    Can you guys please inform me about some of the dangers of a natural gas leak? And is the inspector telling the truth about a minor leak being no 'major' deal? Thanks.
    corydec's Avatar
    corydec Posts: 17, Reputation: 2
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    #2

    Oct 8, 2007, 04:58 PM
    If you can smell gas its enough for me . I would not take any leak lightly
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #3

    Oct 8, 2007, 05:14 PM
    With the windows open, you can't tell if the leak is minor. A minor leak would be an unlit pilot lamp. Usually with any leak, the appliance is turned off and tagged out.
    labman's Avatar
    labman Posts: 10,580, Reputation: 551
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    #4

    Oct 8, 2007, 08:30 PM
    It better be really minor. Besides the fumes sickening people, if the gas builds up, it can explode. Note, natural gas rises, so the worst danger is higher. Make sure the highest windows are open.

    Note, tankless water heaters don't have pilot lights.
    Flying Blue Eagle's Avatar
    Flying Blue Eagle Posts: 2,056, Reputation: 225
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #5

    Oct 8, 2007, 10:04 PM
    Labman is RIGHT:::: NO gas leak is safe at all, if gas builds up enough just turning on a light switch can cause it to explod There is enough of a spark , mostly from very used switchs. (I DO NOT MEAN TO SCARE YOU <BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT CAN AND HAS HAPPENED Before ) IF I were you I would call the gas co. back and talk to a superv. And report the inspector said. Buy reg. and codes he was susposed to turn gas off at the meter right then no if's ,but's about it
    . I"D call co. that installed it they had 15min. To get out to repair it or they could suffer the conquens if any thing happenes . IF any of your family has to go for medical reason do top this . Send the bill to them.
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