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Getting A Gas Test To Turn On Your Gas Service
Frances Lange • Dec 05, 2019
When You Need A Gas Pressure Test By A Licensed Plumber
We get calls all the time from customers saying they called the gas company to get service turned on at their home and the gas company told them they won't set up service until a gas pressure test is performed by a plumber with the proper permit pulled and city inspection. Many people don't realize that plumbers are the ones that work on natural gas and they don't know why they need this test or what is involved.
When Is A Gas Test With Permit And Inspection Required?
There are a few different scenarios that will require a formal gas test, which is done to ensure that the gas system is safe, everything is installed to current required code specifications, and there are no leaks found. The most common reasons people call a plumber for this test are:
- New construction/Adding gas to home that did not have it.
- Additions to the existing gas system (such as a pool heater or backup generator being added).
- Gas service was turned off by the gas company for nonpayment and the customer is trying to get it turned back on.
- Gas service was cancelled by the customer and was not reinstated within a certain amount of time. (This often occurs between tenants if the home is a rental property, or when a home is sold).
HOME BUYERS:
Be sure the gas is on when you do your home inspections and that the current owner agrees to leave their service on until closing. If you set your service up immediately (so there is no major lapse between service) you won't be required to have a gas test done with city inspections to get your service set up. However, even if you are not required to have the test done to get service, it is still highly recommended
to have the system tested during your option period by a licensed plumber (home inspectors cannot do this). Gas leaks or improper installation is a safety issue, so it should not be taken lightly. The cost to do a gas test while the service is on is typically less, because you don't have to pay a permit fee for city inspection and there are less steps involved (less labor costs).
What Is The Process?
We have been doing this a long time and the process is pretty streamlined. This process is for a standard reconnect of gas service on a residential home. While it may be different in other locations, this is how it typically works in the cities we service such as League City and Dickinson (and surrounding areas, see a list of our service area):
- Call to set up the appointment. (Our company provides pricing for the test and permit over the phone when scheduling.)
- We, as the plumber, pull the required permit under our license so it is ready to call in for inspection when the test is completed. The plumber who does this must be registered with the city and hold the proper licensing. Tradesman or journeyman plumbers can't pull these permits unless they are done so through the company they work for under the responsible master license that also has the proper company insurance.
- We come out and perform the gas test by putting air on the system along with a gauge (as required) that will detect drops in pressure if there are leaks present. During this visit, our plumber will also do a walk through to check all the gas appliances and existing gas piping (visible) to be sure it all meets current code requirements.
- NO LEAKS OR CODE VIOLATIONS FOUND DURING TEST: If this is the case, then at this time, the city inspection is set up for the following day (we set up the inspection). You will need to be home when the inspector arrives, they will not call when they are in route and typically just give a window of time you must be available on site. (Most cities in Dickinson, League City, and the surrounding area will not do same day inspections on a gas test and we have no control over this.) The city inspector will then come out for the inspection to check the gauge to be sure it is still holding the proper pressure and do a walk through as well to check for any code violations. When the inspection is finished, the inspector will give a "green tag" (noting the inspection passed), and the city office will then send over a "meter release" to the gas company that same day to let them know it is okay to turn on service.
- LEAKS OR CODE VIOLATIONS PRESENT DURING TEST: If there are leaks found, the plumber would then have to locate and repair all leaks and put the system back on the air test prior to calling in the inspection. If there are repairs needed due to code violations, we go over what is involved during the initial gas test along with potential pricing. These items must be addressed if they exist in order for the city inspector to "green tag"/pass the inspection when he arrives. All leak repairs or code related repairs MUST be performed by the plumber under the permit. Once this is done, the city inspection will be set by our office with the city for the following day. You must be present for the city inspection and the city will send over the "meter release" directly to the gas company when it is completed, as noted in #4 above.
- Once all of the above is completed and the "meter release" has been sent over to the gas company, you as the homeowner (or the tenant if they are the person the account will be under) will call the gas company to see when they can get you scheduled to have your gas service turned on. Our plumber will go back out to the property (typically the same day after the city inspection is done) to pull our gauge, the customer does not need to be home for this visit for the plumber (only the city inspection earlier in the day).
While reading through this process it may seem overwhelming, however, it really is pretty straight forward. All you have to do is be home for the plumber and the city inspector, and then call the gas company to get scheduled for service connection once it is all completed. We, as the plumber, would handle everything else involved.
How Much Does A Gas Pressure Test Cost?
We have seen this range considerably based on customer feedback when they call to set up the appointment. Some customers say they were quoted over six hundred dollars just to do the test! Permit fees vary, but a typical
gas test with permit fees included when we go out runs at about $275 to $350. This would be the most common range (through our company) for a residential home. In a couple cities it can be a little higher due to their higher permit fees, but we can quote an exact price over the phone when we know where the property is located. If you are needing this service performed, give us a call and get your gas turned on ASAP!
CALL TO SCHEDULE
Mark Lange (founder) lived in League City for many years growing up and attended Clear Creek High School where he played varsity football (#23). After graduating, Mark served in the Army before returning home and establishing the company in 1973 with his wife, Cheryl. For 46+ years, Lanco has serviced many League City families who have lived in the area for generations along with thousands of our new neighbors who have moved to the community as it has grown. Lanco Plumbing has been recognized many times for giving back to the community and for providing an honest and dependable plumbing service. We are THE League City Plumber! While the current shop is located in Dickinson, League City is (and always has been) one of our main service areas, and its citizens have a special place in our hearts here at Lanco. Some years ago, our primary location was in League City before we consolidated to our larger building. Mark and Cheryl are now retired, however they are still a constant presence at the shop. Two of their six children now own the business and run the shop with the same "old school" business values that focus on community while delivering a high quality, skilled plumbing service.
With so many plumbing companies popping up, it's hard to know who to call. These are some things to compare and consider when choosing a plumber to work at your home: How long has the company been in business? A long business history will tell you the plumbing company must have at least a decent reputation, sound business operations, and good customer relations. Ask how many years a company has been in business, not just how many years experience they have. Lanco Plumbing was established in 1973, and mostly likely already service many residents in your neighborhood! Is the company operating legally? State law requires that the company must hold a responsible master license and have the proper insurance in place to offer plumbing services to residential and commercial customers. Look for the RMP license listed in their advertisements, it is also supposed to be visible on their vehicles. The RMP # for Lanco Plumbing is 7040. Are they sending out LICENSED PLUMBERS to do the work? An apprentice is NOT a licensed plumber. If you are requesting residential plumbing service, typically a tradesman plumbing license is sufficient. If this is for a commercial building, a journeyman plumber is required. ALWAYS ask to see the plumber's license when he arrives to do the job. While it is against state law, many plumbing companies (sadly) send out apprentices (without a licensed plumber), who have not completed the required training and successfully passed the plumbing exam. Lanco Plumbing is VERY serious about training the plumbers on our team and ALWAYS sends a the properly licensed plumber for the job. Affordability... While you should expect to pay a reasonable rate for the value of the plumbing service provided, be very careful about getting ripped off. Many companies won't quote pricing over the phone and you have to wait for them to show up to give "free estimates". While there is no way around this on larger jobs, it's fairly easy to gauge price ranges on most standard repairs and drain cleaning (we even quote water heater replacements over the phone). Other times scare tactics are used or customers are being told they need more done than actually necessary. It may be hard for you to gauge what is reasonable for a particular plumbing service if you are not in the industry, so be sure to do your homework on the company and be careful with too much "flat rate" pricing. A lot of "flat pricing" business models in the plumbing industry nowadays pay their plumbers on commission...we don't do that in our shop but it isn't hard to imagine the serious cons in place for the homeowner in that scenario. Lanco Plumbing provides reasonable rates for quality work and we are more than willing to openly discuss your plumbing needs by phone and what costs might be involved before you even schedule a job with us. Experience and skill level. This is a big one obviously. You don't want a plumber installing pipe incorrectly, making a faulty connection, or just flat out can't find the source of the problem. Many apprentices that hire on with companies to receive their training are actually put on their own truck to perform work (which is against the law as previously mentioned) instead of riding with experienced plumbers through their entire apprenticeship. This keeps them from being exposed to many types of plumbing problems and how to troubleshoot and repair those issues correctly. The result? Licensed plumbers that really don't have the experience necessary to perform the job well, but that were able to pass an exam after they obtained the required "hours". Another thing to keep in mind, there are many facets to the plumbing industry. Similar to a doctor or a lawyer that may specialize in certain medicine or a certain area of the law, a plumber who has most their experience in new construction many times has not had enough experience to know how to troubleshoot problems on an existing home. Every plumber on staff at Lanco must meet a certain knowledge and experience standard prior to being assigned to their own service truck.
We hear this question, A LOT. Just like any other appliance, your water heater will not last forever and at some point it will need to be replaced. It is always better to replace it before your water heater actually goes out. It's one thing to need a repair, which can be performed in most cases when the water heater stops heating. However, when the tank starts leaking it will (in many cases) cause major water damage, so avoiding the issue all together is obviously ideal. That being said, the number one sign your water heater must be replaced is...
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Tel:
(281) 337-3703
Address: 3624 Highway 3, Dickinson, TX 77539
Licensed & Insured | Master License #7040