Keeping Tallmadge Gas Lines in Good Shape Year After Year

A Simple Gas Maintenance Schedule

You do not need to fuss over your gas lines, but a few habits keep them safe. Here is a practical schedule for a typical Tallmadge home.

Every month or so

Glance at burner flames on the range and through the water heater sight glass. They should be mostly blue and steady. Make sure nothing is stored against the furnace, water heater or piping.

Each fall

Before heating season, check that the area around the furnace is clear, test carbon monoxide alarms, and clear plants and debris from around the meter.

Each winter

Keep snow and ice off the meter and regulator, using a broom rather than a shovel.

Once a year

Have a professional look over the piping, valves and connectors as part of an annual plumbing inspection.

What We Check During an Inspection

An annual look at your gas piping does not take long, but it catches the problems that lead to leaks. We focus on the parts of the system most likely to wear out.

If we find something, you get a plain explanation of what it is, how urgent it is, and what the repair involves. Some findings can wait for a convenient time; a confirmed leak cannot. Nothing gets fixed until you approve it.

• Corrosion on pipe near floor drains, sump pits and exterior walls
• Appliance shutoff valves that are stiff, seized or leaking at the stem
• Flexible connectors that are kinked, cracked or outdated
• Missing sediment traps at furnaces and water heaters
• Pipe supports and any piping that has been bumped or bent
• Joints and unions checked with a leak detector

Valve and Connector Replacement

Older plug-style valves can stiffen over time, and a valve that will not close is not much help in an emergency. Replacing it with a quarter-turn ball valve is a quick job that makes the system safer. Old flexible connectors, especially uncoated brass ones, are another common upgrade. We replace them with new coated connectors sized for the appliance.

Each repair is followed by a leak check and pressure test on the affected section before service is restored.

Maintenance Agreement Benefits

Our Residential Plumbing Maintenance Agreement costs $189 per year or $378 for three years. It includes an annual inspection, priority service, emergency support, 10% off labor and materials, and no service-charge minimums. Coverage is transferable and renews automatically. For Tallmadge homeowners who would rather not think about their gas piping, that annual visit is an easy way to keep it checked.

Repairs and New Lines

When something does go wrong, we repair leaks, replace damaged pipe and fix pressure problems. If you smell gas strongly, leave the house and call the gas utility or 911 first. We also install new lines for appliances, including ranges and gas fireplaces in Tallmadge. Water heater issues are covered by our gas water heater service, and more on gas piping is on our gas line installation page. Call 330-875-8003.