Why buried lines leak
Many Villa Park properties have gas running underground from the meter to a pool heater, spa, barbecue island or detached structure. Some of those runs are decades old. Steel pipe buried without a good protective coating can corrode over time, and any buried line can be hit by a shovel, post-hole digger, sprinkler trencher or tree root pressure.
Because the gas escapes into soil, the odor may be faint or only noticeable at certain times of day. The clues tend to show up in plants, water and the meter itself.
Outdoor warning signs
- A line of dead, brown or yellowing grass or shrubs that follows a straight path
- Bubbles in a puddle, a pool deck crack or wet soil after watering
- A hissing or blowing sound near the ground or near the meter
- Dust or dirt being blown upward from a spot in the yard
- A faint sulfur smell along a side yard or near the patio
- Burners at the barbecue or fire pit that seem weaker than before
How to check the meter for a hidden leak
Only do this if you do not smell gas. If you smell gas, leave the area and call 911 or SoCalGas.
- Turn off every gas appliance.Set the water heater to pilot or vacation, turn off the furnace, pool and spa heaters, and make sure no burners are on.
- Watch the smallest dial.Look at the meter's lowest-value test dial for several minutes without anything running.
- Interpret what you see.If the dial keeps creeping with everything off, gas may be leaving the system somewhere. Remember that standing pilot lights use a small amount.
- Call for help.Report movement to SoCalGas or a licensed plumber. Do not dig to look for the leak yourself.
What different signs can point to
| What you notice | Possible cause | First move |
|---|---|---|
| Dead strip of lawn along a straight path | Gas displacing air in the soil above a buried line | Stay off it; call SoCalGas or a plumber |
| Bubbles in standing water | Gas escaping below the surface | Keep people away; call SoCalGas |
| Hissing at the meter | Leak at the meter or riser | Leave and call SoCalGas from a distance |
| Meter moves with all appliances off | Leak somewhere on the house side | Schedule a plumber for leak detection |
| Unexplained jump in the gas bill | Slow leak or an appliance problem | Do the meter check, then call a plumber |
Who handles which part
Leaks on the service line up to and including the meter are SoCalGas's to repair. Leaks after the meter, on the piping that runs to the house, pool equipment or barbecue, are the property owner's responsibility and are repaired by a licensed plumber.
Expect the plumber to isolate sections, pressure test them to narrow down the leak, and then excavate only where needed. Before any digging, buried utilities should be marked through 811.
Common questions
Can a gas leak kill grass?
Yes. Gas in the soil pushes out the air roots need, so a strip of dead plants following a straight line is a classic sign of a buried line leak.
Is it safe to water the area to look for bubbles?
If you smell gas, do not stay in the area. Leave and call SoCalGas or 911. Let the utility or a plumber do the testing.
Who pays for a leak between the meter and the house?
Piping after the meter belongs to the property owner, so the owner arranges and pays for the repair by a licensed contractor.
General information for Villa Park, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.