natural gas line pressure test

[Cascadian]

Hi all,

For a final check (inspection is coming soon), my gas pipe was pumped up to 15 PSI. Over two weeks the gauge has dropped to around 6.5 PSI. When I checked the first night it was still right at 15, and I think (?) a day or two later as well. Then I didn't check it so often. 2 days ago it was at 7.5 PSI. With such a slow leak I'm sure that it will still pass inspection (around here it just has to hold pressure for 15 minutes), but should I be concerned at all? Or is it probably not even the lines but the cheap gauge causing the slow trickle?

Thanks!

[second opinion]

[QUOTE=Cascadian;13983001]Hi all,

For a final check (inspection is coming soon), my gas pipe was pumped up to 15 PSI. Over two weeks the gauge has dropped to around 6.5 PSI. When I checked the first night it was still right at 15, and I think (?) a day or two later as well. Then I didn't check it so often. 2 days ago it was at 7.5 PSI. With such a slow leak I'm sure that it will still pass inspection (around here it just has to hold pressure for 15 minutes), but should I be concerned at all? Or is it probably not even the lines but the cheap gauge causing the slow trickle?

Thanks![/QUOTE

Soap each joint and fitting

[OldSchoolMech]

It's leaking fix it ! Pump it back up and do a soap test.

Or leave it and make sure you tell the inspector about your leak

[motoguy128]

My plumber has told me of one case where he couldn't find the leak with soap. The leak was a tiny void in the cast fitting. An elbow I think. I think he started taking pipe apart and capping a section and working back until it would hold pressure. This was the only tiem it ever happened to him. But he's only been a master plumber for maybe 15 years.

[Southern Mech]

Let it fail inspection and let contractor make repairs, if it passes you may get stuck with a leaking gas line. It will all be documented for future this way

[second opinion]

My plumber has told me of one case where he couldn't find the leak with soap. The leak was a tiny void in the cast fitting. An elbow I think. I think he started taking pipe apart and capping a section and working back until it would hold pressure. This was the only tiem it ever happened to him. But he's only been a master plumber for maybe 15 years.

Thus the reason for checking each joint and fitting. If the right leak solution is used and low pressure the bubbles will form a honeycomb effect and increase in size, then rinse once leak has been found.

[Joehvac25]

Could be the temperature. Pretty hard to get leaks in gas pipe but it happens.

[skippedover]

When is a leak a leak or not a leak? Our gas code calls for new work in a residential application (.5 psi) test to be 3 psig for 10 minutes with no loss. In fact, gas cocks has a legal leak rate so expecting a system to test for 7-days with zero pressure loss is expecting more than can normally be delivered. Any leak that fails 3 psig within 10-minutes is definitely a leak to be located and repaired. BTB, existing work is tested at 1.5-psig!!

[t527ed]

leak should be found and repaired.
i just went back to a gas line i installed 3 weeks ago to remove pressure test and hook line up to furnace.
had 15 psi when i put it on and 15 psi 3 weeks later.

[Southern Mech]

leak should be found and repaired.
i just went back to a gas line i installed 3 weeks ago to remove pressure test and hook line up to furnace.
had 15 psi when i put it on and 15 psi 3 weeks later.

My parents just bought a forclosed house built in 03'. Only had gas logs and never a bottle hooked up. Still has 15 psig on the gauge 6 yrs later. Just so happens I was the contractor on the house for hvac and gas. I am asking for a raise in the morning

[Joehvac25]

We use rector seal, the yellow slop, #5 I'f I remember right. Teflon is against gas code I thought? 15 psi should be easy to hold, it's Probably a minor issue someone forgot to tighten something maybe.