Signs of a buried gas leak
Why yard lines leak
The most common cause is digging: a fence post, a sprinkler repair, a new planter or a tree going in right on top of an unmarked line. Old metal pipe buried directly in soil can also corrode over the years, especially where it was not coated or where it transitions from underground to above ground.
Roots from yard trees can stress buried pipe and joints, and ground movement around a patio slab or pool deck can strain fittings. Lines that were never permitted or recorded are the hardest to protect, because no one knows exactly where they run.
How a buried leak is usually handled
- Make it safe.Responders clear the area, and gas to the yard line or the whole house is shut off.
- Confirm the leak.The yard line is isolated from the house and pressure tested to confirm it is the source.
- Locate the line.The route is traced using tracer wire, records, or locating equipment, and 811 is called before digging.
- Expose and repair.The leaking section is dug up and repaired or replaced, often with new buried plastic gas pipe.
- Test and backfill.The repaired line is pressure tested, inspected if a permit applies, then backfilled and gas restored.
Spot repair or replace the run?
Spot repair
- Makes sense for a single dig-in on otherwise sound pipe
- Less trenching and yard disruption
- Leaves the rest of an older line in place
Replace the whole run
- Makes sense for corroded or repeatedly leaking metal pipe
- New pipe, tracer wire and a known route
- A chance to resize for future outdoor appliances
What drives the scope
The length of the run, what is on top of it (lawn, concrete, pavers or a pool deck), whether the old route can be reused, the pipe material, and permit requirements all shape the job. Rerouting around hardscape can be simpler than breaking up a patio. Ask for options in writing, and ask the contractor to photograph the new line before the trench is closed.
Ask before the trench is opened
- Has the leak been confirmed in the yard line and not the house piping?
- Will you repair the damaged section or replace the whole run, and why?
- Will the new line have tracer wire so it can be found later?
- Is a permit and inspection required for this repair?
- Who restores the lawn, irrigation or hardscape afterward?
Common questions
Is the buried line to my pool heater SoCalGas's responsibility?
No. Lines after the meter, including buried yard lines, belong to the property owner.
Could a leak be under my driveway?
If the service line from the street runs under it, call SoCalGas. If it is a house-side line, a contractor traces and repairs it.
Can I keep using the barbecue until it is fixed?
No. Once a leak is suspected, keep the yard line shut off until it is repaired and tested.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.