Natural gas smell outside house?

Question

there is a pipe that goes from the main gas line, breaks out before meter and leads to the outside. it is open on the outside of the house, with a wire mesh over it. every day i can smell gas outside and it seems that it comes from that pipe. what is it for?

thanks

Answer 1

Get out of the house immediately.  From a safe distance, call the gas company and report that you may have a gas leak.  The gas line outside is more prone to leaking since it experiences the weather conditions that could cause the gas line to rust through.

You want to be careful around it.  Any little electrical charge, even a cell phone, or turning off or on a light switch could possibly ignite the gas if there is a gas leak.  Call from a safe distance using a neighbor's phone or from your cell phone when you are a good ways away from the house.

My parents had a gas leak on their house in the same area you are refering to.  The gas company can use a detection meter to see if gas is leaking there.

Answer 2

The pipe your looking at is the vent for the regulator.

The regulator diaphragm is leaking and they will need to replace it.

It is before the meter so you cannot be charged for the gas lost and it's not been registered at the meter.

The vent is always piped over if it is too close to a window or fresh air intake.

Answer 3

If you smell natural gas you need to call the gas company right away.

Answer 4

There is a chemical agent added to all gas to alert you there is the possibility of a leak. Stop what you're doing right now and either call a friend familiar with plumbing or a qualified repair person. If you call the gas company, they are going to Red Tag and shut off your gas service with a lock until the problem is fixed.