"jhughes37" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello,

my uncle recently installed a new gas hot water heater.

A day later, I notice a slight odor coming from the furnace room - this
smell was probably there from the start, but no one noticed it. Told
him about it. He went in and sniffed around and said he knows what
natural gas smells like, and didn't smell anything. We did a leak test,
and sure enough there is a small leak at the valve. This particular
valve is old. On one side there is a bolt/screw, if not tightened
enough, it leaks. He tightened it. We did another leak test, and no
bubbles this time, and the smell has gone away.

You didnt REPLACE the valve? Cheap $3 insurance and you didnt replace it...
BTW...your nose is NOT a gas detector.


I went in the next day, and smelled around. Near the gas supply to the
heater (inside the outer door) I smelled something, but didn't know if
it was metal or gas. I did a leak test on all the connections again and
saw no bubbles. Is it normal for there to be an odor in that area? Is
it the metal I am smelling? He thought the previous leak was just the
metal smell, but it was actually gas. Don't know what to do.. all
connections pass the water/soap test. The smell is not detectable
anywhere except within a few inches of where the gas line connects to
the heater. If there is a leak, it's probably very small. Could it be
within the heater, too, where a leak test is not possible? How much gas
would need to be released to cause an explosion? If I installed a gas
detector, would it sound if any gas were present, even tiny amounts?

Leak tests are possible if you have the correct tools anywhere.
How much gas is needed to go boom? Not as much as you would like to think.
Gas detectors are helpful, but not worth a damn if you have a problem from
the start.


Also, the valve itself makes contact with the hot water heater, due to
the way the gas pipe is installed. It comes down from the ceiling
diagnally and doesn't quite clear the heater. Is that a code violation?
There is clearly some pressure on the valve.

Dont know..you guys call for an inspection when you installled the heater?


At this point I am considering calling the city to inspect the
installation and check for leaks. I know he would not be happy about
it, but I am a bit concerned. What should I do?

Ok..that answers that...no...you didnt call for inspections.

Plain English here....who gives a damn what he thinks if you have a leak and
they find it?

They will come out, use something a hell of a lot better than the soap and
water test....most use electronic detectors, and they are better at finding
all leaks than soap and water. The "soap and water"that we use to verify or
to do a quick check on leaks actually works better than most concoctions
made up at home, and has added cling incredients added to insure that we get
a good coccoon of bubbles when there is a leak.

Get it checked..if there is a leak, there is no need testing the basement to
see if its explosion proof.



James