A Guide to Gas Line Repair
Twin Home Experts has been a certified gas line repair company in the greater Los Angeles area for over 30 years. As experts in gas leak detection and repairing the cause, we want to share what you will learn if you ever have to search for a gas line repair company near you.
How Are Gas Leaks Detected?
Leak Detectors: If you’re a handy homeowner and you want to find the gas leak on your own, buying a leak detector at a hardware store like Home Depot is an option. Note that this device will only work if the gas company hasn’t shut off your gas.
TWIN TIP: When hiring a professional, be sure to ask the following questions:
How Much Does Gas Leak Detection Cost?
Gas leak detection can cost anywhere from $350 to $2500. This range mainly depends on the location of the leak. Areas checked for leaks include:
- Underground
- Inside walls
- Crawlspaces
- Attics
Finding a Gas Line Installation Contractor
Most plumbers perform gas line repairs or replacements in the Los Angeles area where Twin Home Experts is located. Here are some important things to ask when searching for a gas line contractor near you:
- Are they licensed and bonded?
- Have they been a plumbing contractor for more than 7 years?
- Do they offer a 5-year warranty on their work?
- If the job is more than $500, will they get it city-inspected to make sure it’s to city code?
How Much Does a Gas Line Repair Cost?
Angie’s List posted a misleading article in March of 2018 on gas line repair & installation costs telling readers to expect to pay $120 to $1,300. This is deceiving because they don’t separate the services. Gas line installation and gas repair are two completely different tasks and services. After reading through the article, it’s super clear in our professional opinion that the real intent is to have you click through their lead generation button for their plumbers. We bet you that any natural gas line plumbers of Angie’s List will not charge those very low fees. Those are 1970 prices!
- How accessible is the pipe?
- What is the pipe size and length?
- What materials are being used?
- Is there concrete demolition & removal?
- How deep is the pipe?
- If the gas line is underground where repairs may not be feasible, a new gas pipe installation more than likely needs to occur.
The Cost of New Gas Pipe Installation
Average cost for a new gas pipe installation can range from $1200 to $10,000.
- How many feet of pipe?
- What is the size of the gas pipe?
- Is the installation outside or inside?
- How accessible is the area of the installation?
- How many fixtures is the gas line feeding?
- Get 3 Estimates. Twin Home Experts always recommends getting 3 estimates to make sure you get the best deal and (more importantly) the right natural gas installer for your job.
- Get a Warranty: Make sure you get at least a 5-year warranty from your gas line contractor for installation.
- Get an Inspection: Make sure you get a local city gas inspection to approve the new gas line installation.
Natural Gas Pipe Materials
When it comes to gas pipe material specifications, there are a few options that are available.
TWIN TIP: If your gas pipe installer uses Scotchkote for underground pipe installation, make sure they use black 20 mil gas tape to wrap and seal all the underground connections and where their wrenches scratched the pipe.
- No deterioration
- Flexible to withstand underground movement (unlike galvanized steel pipes)
- Easy to roll underground
- Cost-effective
How To Perform Gas Leak Detection & Replace Underground Pipes
Hiring a Gas Line Expert
Hiring the right gas line repair or gas line installation contractor near you is super important. Don’t forget the following 3 key actions: Get at least 3 estimates for your gas repair or new gas installation; Make sure you get (at least) a 5-year warranty for your new gas line installation. (If there is going to be an issue, it will happen within 5 years.); And always get a local city inspector to approve your new gas installation.
