Furnace Gas Leak Repair

A problem with the heat exchanger in your furnace could cause a water leak and unfortunately is one of the most expensive repairs.

Furnace gas leak repair.

Turn off the gas supply valve typically located by your gas meter on the gas inlet pipe. Professional hvac companies provide annual safety and efficiency inspections of gas appliances and heaters that can be life saving. The gas company technician when he or she arrives will shut off the gas supply for safety and determine the source of the leak. While natural gas is odorless on its own manufacturers are required by law to add a chemical known as mercaptan.

It s typically highest in the northeast. There are two and only two things that you can and should be doing to prevent your furnace from giving off a gas smell when you turn it on. Preventative maintenance and using carbon monoxide detectors. If you ve looked into the other possible causes of a leak and can t find it it may be the heat exchanger.

The device will alert you whenever it detects high levels of carbon monoxide. The only real big cause of a furnace leak would be an incorrectly installed flue the big metal pipe that carries exhaust out of the home. However the gas company will not fix the problem you ll have to call in a plumber or hvac professional for that. A new unit may need to be installed.

Carbon monoxide is fortunately easy to detect in gas furnace leaks. Labor rates for furnace repair reflect the cost of living in the region. This is a very minor issue and easily solved by emptying your air conditioner s drip pan regularly. Some furnaces have gas valves that require more labor than average to replace which also leads to higher prices.

Simply purchase a carbon monoxide detector and place it near the furnace. Contact your local heating company for annual maintenance and inspection of your home s gas heater. If you detect the odor of natural gas in your home get out and call for help immediately. Just ensure the detector has full batteries and is located close to the furnace.

Furnaces in attics and crawlspaces are harder to work on so repair costs are higher. To shut off the gas supply to your home turn the valve until it rests perpendicular to the supply pipe here the gas is on. This is what gives gas that unmistakable smell. A gas furnace might leak if a standard efficiency gas furnace doesn t have that many potential causes for a leak so your options are quite easy here.

The goal here is not to treat a gas leaking furnace but to educate you on how to prevent it. If it reminds you of rotten eggs it could be a gas leak originating from your furnace. Turn off the gas by rotating the valve one quarter turn with an adjustable wrench. The gas company will respond to you immediately and at no charge.