Gas Shutoff Valve Installation

Gas shutoff valves control the supply of gas in residential homes and businesses. These devices enable owners to turn off localized gas supply to a particular gas appliance or natural gas supply to an entire property.

These devices also act as safety installations that enable turning off the gas supply if the appliance needs servicing or replacement or for a gas leak.

How To Locate Gas Shutoff Valves

Main Property Gas Shutoff Valves

These shutoff valves are typically at the gas meter. An additional shutoff valve may be in the sidewalk by the house or the main street near the property parallel to the gas line, especially in commercial properties.
Most gas companies recommend that their customers not touch this valve and call a professional to handle any gas repairs or leaks to avoid damage.

High-Pressure Natural Gas Shutoff Valves

Most newly built homes have high-pressure natural gas systems. These indoor gas shutoff valves are fed by a flexible copper pipe from the main meter into a utility room. The shutoff valve is usually near the water heater or furnace just before a device known as a pressure regulator.

Appliance Gas Shutoff Valves

Gas appliances should have individual gas lines with a hand-operated shutoff valve just before it meets the appliance.
Let’s review where the gas shutoff valves are located for common gas-fired appliances:
• Dryer: Behind the machine or, in some models, in the bottom drawer
• Fireplace: On the control panel behind the front screen
• Furnace: Directly beside the appliance
• Stove: At the back of the oven; you can access it by pulling the stove away from the wall or opening the bottom drawer.
• Water heater: At the bottom of the water heater where the inlet line supplies the appliance

What To Do in Case of a Gas Emergency

Immediately Turn Off the Gas

If you suspect a gas emergency and not a gas appliance malfunction, the first step you should take is to turn off the main gas supply. Do this by going to the house-side shutoff valve or the utility room shutoff valve and moving the lever so that it stays at a right angle to the pipe feeding it.

If you have a street-side shutoff valve instead, use a 12-inch or larger wrench to turn the valve a quarter turn so that it sits perpendicular or crosswise to the gas pipe.

Verify That the Gas Is Off

After you have turned off either your utility room, house-side, or street-side gas shutoff valve, you will need to verify that the gas is indeed off.

You can do so by listening for gas flow through the pipes. When it comes to gas-fueled appliances, you can verify if the gas supply is off by checking if the pilot lights are still on in older appliances. Newer appliances do not have pilot lights, so it’s best to call your gas company to confirm that the gas is off.

Wait for the Professionals—Don’t Turn the Gas Back On

Don’t attempt to turn the main shutoff valve back on by yourself. Instead, once you’ve contacted your gas company, wait for them to come out and inspect your gas system to determine the nature of the problem.

They will properly operate the valve to ensure that your gas system is safe without causing any damage. They will also check for possible gas leaks, carbon monoxide leaks, or other faults while mitigating the risks.

If you would like professional gas shutoff valve installation in your home or business, the experts at The Plumbing Source are ready to help. Call 877-768-7239 today to schedule a free quote to install a gas shutoff valve.