Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Turning off the gas
• Part 2 of 3: Line plug
• Part 3 of 3: Finding a Gas Leak
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

If you are temporarily not using your home gas line and would like to drown it, this can be done with the necessary materials. As a result, you will protect yourself from gas leaks that might otherwise occur. By conserving the gas line, you will know that your home is completely safe!

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Turning off the gas

1. 1 Locate the gas meter. In private houses, the meter is usually installed near the garage or in front of the entrance. The gas meter can also stand in the basement, pantry, along with the rest of the meters.The main gas shut-off valve is installed on the gas meter.
2. 2 Find the main valve. Two pipes are connected to the gas meter. Through one of them, gas comes from a common line, through the second it is supplied to your house. The main valve is located on a pipe through which gas enters the house from a common line. This valve has a rather massive rectangular metal handle with a hole. In the open position, the handle is parallel to the pipe, in the closed position - perpendicular.
   • In a complex meter, the main valve is usually located on top of the distribution pipe. Moreover, each branch has a separate switch. Find your meter so as not to accidentally turn off the gas to any of your neighbors.
   • Ask the landlord which meter is in charge of your home.
3. 3 Close the valve. Turn the valve handle 90 degrees with an adjustable wrench. The valve often has another metal strip perpendicular to the gas pipe. When the gas is completely blocked, the holes on both strips coincide.
4. 4 Shut off the gas line to the house. Also turn the valve on this pipe to the closed position.

Part 2 of 3: Line plug

1. 1 Disconnect all accessories and pipes from the gas line. When unscrewing them, use two adjustable wrenches, carefully loosening the nuts and taking care not to damage the joints.
   • Hold the first nut in place with one adjustable wrench, while loosening the second nut and unscrewing it with the other wrench.
   • If you are unable to use two adjustable wrenches at the same time or do not have them, use pipe wrenches.
2. 2 Clean the pipe with a steel wool. Pay particular attention to the threads when cleaning them. Make sure that there are no steel fibers left at the joints.
3. 3 Wrap Teflon tape five times around the gas outlet threads. On the first turn, press the tape firmly against the pipe with your thumb. Then wind the rest of the threads on top, completely covering the threads with tape. Apply turns clockwise so that it does not unwind when screwing in the plug.
   • Use yellow teflon tape specifically designed for gas.
   • You can also use Teflon pipe paste. Apply the paste evenly to the threads of the gas pipe. Do not use paste and tape at the same time.
   • Take a suitable plug. If the pipe is brass, use a brass cap. If the pipe is made of cast iron, use a cast iron plug accordingly.
4. 4 Attach the threaded plug to the pipe. Rotate it by hand. After pushing the plug onto the pipe, take the adjustable wrenches and tighten it tightly.
   • Do not screw the plug too tight. This can lead to cracking of the plug and subsequent gas leakage.

Part 3 of 3: Finding a Gas Leak

1. 1 Open the main valve. Using an adjustable wrench, turn the valve back to the open position. In this position, the metal strip of the valve must be parallel to the inlet pipe.
2. 2 Open the gas supply. Return to the main line and unscrew the valve leading from the meter to the house. Without opening the gas supply, you will not be able to detect a possible leak.
3. 3 Check for leaks. Fill a plastic bottle with a 50/50 mixture of water and dish soap and shake it. Apply the resulting foamy solution to the plug and pipe around it. If this does not generate bubbles, the plug is installed correctly. If you see bubbles appear around the plug, then it is leaking. Reinstall it as described above and check again for leaks.
   • In addition to observing possible bubbles, listen for a hissing sound from escaping gas.
4. 4 Turn on the indicator lights. After you turn off the gas, you may need to reset the indicator lights on the gas boiler and other household appliances that use gas.

Tips

• Be sure to wear safety glasses and gloves when installing the plug.
• If you find that the line is damaged, immediately report it to the gas service.

Warnings

• When working with gas, avoid anything that can cause a fire (lighted cigarette, open sparks, etc.).
• Check with the relevant gas service if you are allowed to turn off and shut off the gas pipe yourself. If not, call the wizard for this purpose.

What do you need

• Gas plug (from the same material from which the gas pipe is made)
• 2 adjustable wrenches
• 2 pipe wrenches (if needed)
• Yellow teflon tape
• Dishwashing liquid
• Spray bottle
• Protective glasses
• Gloves