FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Gas line test/pressure gauge

yojimbo2 | Posted in General Discussion on February 19, 2011 10:24am

Ran a new gas line, installed a gas pressure gauge and pumped it up to 15 psi.  Came back 2  hours later and it had the pressure had dropped a 1/2psi.  24 hrs later it was down to 9psi.  It holds at 15psi for at least 15 minutes. I sprayed all the joints with leak detector liquid, and no bubbles.  Is this drop off normal, or do I have a leak?

 

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    MarkH | Feb 19, 2011 11:03pm | #1

    Are you sure the gauge doesn't leak?

    Something is leaking.

  2. DaveRicheson | Feb 21, 2011 06:24am | #2

    15 pounds?

    Gas pressure is measured in  ounces unless you are installing a high pressure main.

    You need 8 oz. of pressure to hold fo 24 hours.

    Call you gas company. they will test it for you.

    1. Shacko | Feb 21, 2011 05:55pm | #3

      Gas Test

      I don't know where you are from but I've rarely seen where the inspector will have you test a gas line in ounces.

      Getting the gas company to do your test is another thing that dosen't happen in the area I'm familar with.

      1. DaveRicheson | Feb 22, 2011 06:22am | #4

        Gas lines

        I work for a utility company . We provide both gas and electric service in our area. We operate and maintain an extensive sytem of gas mains, substations, storage, pumping and distribution lines  for natural gas.

        Break the seal on one of our gas meters and do you own work if you want to. Your gas will be shut off imediately upon the detection of you violation. It will not be turned back on untill our inspector varifies that you work passes our test and meets our requirements for a safe installation.

        We are a regulated industry and held accountable for public safety as well as service to our customers.

        You want to play with things that can go BOOM, go ahead.

        Me I call and get it tested by a trained and certified professional.

        1. Shacko | Feb 22, 2011 03:07pm | #5

          Gas Test

          You didn't tell me where you are located, I'm located in the N.E. in the area I'm familiar with the utility is responsible for the gas up to the valve or connection for the dwelling, from that point on the gas fitter is responsible for running the lines and testing HIS work, he then calls the inspector and has it inspected, the inspector is the one that tells him what pressure he requires for the test, I don't know where the ulility will test the private part of your line.

          I have never seen a test thats in the  8 ounce range, they run between 3lb. and 100lbs.

          ....Break the seal on one of our gas meters and do you own work if you want to. Your gas will be shut off imediately upon the detection of you violation....

          We also have a seal on the UTILITY side of the gas line but on the house or dwelling side there isn't one and a licensed gas fitter can work from that side; he can't break the seal on the UTILITY side

          BTW I am a licensed professional, 45+ years

  3. rdesigns | Feb 22, 2011 04:27pm | #6

    The drop to 9# in 24 hrs. is a leak you should be able to detect with a bubble test.

    The leak very often is from the test gauge itself, so be sure to soap that as well.

    Your inspector may pass the system if it holds 15 # for 15 min. if that's the standard test for your jurisdiction and/or utility supplier, but a tight system will hold 15# for days with a possible slight fluctuation, up or down, depending on temperature changes. By "slight change", I mean 1 or 2 pounds.

  4. yojimbo2 | Feb 28, 2011 07:41am | #7

    So I checked the pressure test valve by removing it and installing it on a nipple with a cap.  I pumped it up to 15lbs, and sure enough after about an hour the pressure dropped.  I checked the 3 joints with leak detector and no bubbles.  The gas pressure valve leaks, albeit, extremely slowly.  Several people mentioned this possiblity, I would like to thank those people for saving me a lot of hassle, and time.

    Not sure if it just this valve that leaks, or gas pressure valves in general leak just because of the way they are designed.  Would like to know the answer to this question.  Thanks again to everyone that took the time to respond to this post.

    1. rdesigns | Feb 28, 2011 04:15pm | #8

      By "pressure valve", I think

      By "pressure valve", I think you mean the test gauge. And, although they are notorious for leaking, that's probably because they get re-used over and over, and get banged around in tool boxes. I have seen gas systems, including the test gauge, holding test pressure for 2 weeks or more with no loss.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Shoulder Your Buckets

Add a strap for easy carrying and pouring when working with 5-gal. buckets.

Featured Video

Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by Brick

Watch mason Mike Mehaffey construct a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes.

Related Stories

  • Fight House Fires Through Design
  • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
  • An Easier Method for Mitered Head Casings

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data