gas leak, gas leak detector, gas leaks, gas leak detection, how to check for a gas leak


Leaky Gas – How to Find a Gas Leak – How Do You Test for a Gas Leak

Learn everything about LPG from Australia’s largest LPG provider. Explore our attractive home value plans and sign up for ELGAS LPG today.

New to ELGAS? Explore great deals here

NEW TO
ELGAS?

Save this Winter! Check out our Home LPG plans HERE

Home 9 SWAP’n’GO® Blogs 9 Leaky Gas – How to Find a Gas Leak – How Do You Test for a Gas Leak

18 Apr, 2024 | SWAP’n’GO® Blogs

In this article:

How to do the BBQ gas leak test & stay safe. Detailed illustrated instructions on testing for BBQ gas leaks including areas of most concern.

Leaky Gas – How to Find a Gas Leak – How Do You Test for a Gas Leak

If you have leaky gas, you need to know how do you test for a gas leak (how to check for gas leak) in home.

The soapy water gas leak test will help you check for a gas leak on a BBQ (how to find a gas leak).

The bubbles are how you test for a gas leak in your home or BBQ.

It’s a simple way to find a gas leak when you smell leaky gas.

The soapy water test for a gas leak allows for tell-tale gas leak soap bubbles that are indicative of gas leaks in home.

To perform the gas leak test, you just coat all of the gas transmission gear (pipes, hoses & valves) with soapy water and then pressurise the system, without turning on the gas BBQ.

If you see gas leak soap bubbles or smell rotten eggs, you know you have leaky gas.

It is important to know how do you check for a gas leak (how to find a gas leak) and test every time you change BBQ gas bottles and regularly do a gas leak test on the gas BBQ, BBQ gas bottle, gas regulator and hose using the soap bubble test for leaky gas.

Gas leaks from these items are frequently the cause of gas BBQ fires.

Leaky Gas or Gas Leaks

Leaky gas or gas leaks are defined as the unwanted escape of gas.

Leaky gas can originate from a gas appliance, gas bottle, gas pipe or gas fitting.

A natural gas or LPG gas leak is dangerous because of the risk of fire or explosion.

Sometimes with leaky gas, it is hard to find a gas leak.

Knowing where to look and the methodology to check for gas leak is important.

Leaky Gas – How to Find a Gas Leak

To find a gas leak (how to check for gas leak), using your nose is the first step to find leaky gas.

The first hint would be the smell of rotten cabbage or rotten eggs.

An odourant – Ethyl Mercaptan – is added to the naturally odourless LPG and natural gas for the aid in detection of leaky gas.

Summary of Soap Test for a Gas Leak in Home

Soapy water spray

To test for a gas leak (how to check for gas leak) in home, apply soapy water to the entire hose assembly, including the gas bottle valve and regulator, using a spray bottle or sponge.

Pressurise the gas system without turning on the gas BBQ.

If you see bubbles or smell rotten eggs, you have found your leaky gas.

Soap Test for Leaky Gas – Gas Leak Check Solution

To make the gas leak solution for the soapy water test for leaky gas, simply mix dish detergent with water.

Soapy water leak testThe soap can be put in a spray bottle or placed in a bowl for sponging on.

Dish washing soap is formulated to make lots of bubbles so it works better for the soapy water test for leaky gas.

Liquid laundry detergent doesn’t work as well as dish soap, as it is formulated to be low sudsing, making it harder to see the gas leak bubbles how to check for gas leak.

Remember to cover the entire hose assembly from the gas bottle valve to the hose attachment to the gas BBQ or gas heater with soap solution to test for a gas leak (how to check for gas leak).

Open the valve to pressurise the system, without turning on the gas BBQ burners, and look for soap bubbles or sniff for the rotten egg smell.

This quick 60 second video shows how to test for a gas leak (how to check for gas leak) by performing the soap bubble test for leaky gas – soapy water test for a gas leak:

How to Do Soapy Water Gas Leak Test – How to Find Leaky Gas in Your Home (how to check for gas leak)

♦ To test for a gas leak (how to check for gas leak) in your home, start by putting some soapy water in a spray bottle or a dish.

♦ Turn on the LPG gas bottle without turning on the gas BBQ.  This pressurises the system.

♦ Next, spray the gas BBQ, valve, regulator and hose assembly with the soapy water.

♦ Alternatively, you can apply the soapy water with a paint brush, basting brush or it can even be sponged on.

♦ Soap bubbles will form if there is leaky gas and you may also smell the gas.

♦ You need to test the entire assembly from the gas bottle valve all the way to where the gas hose attaches to the gas BBQ.

♦ When done, rinse with clean water to remove the soap solution.

♦ Remember to always soapy water test for a gas leak the lot every time you re-connect your gas bottle.

If you find leaky gas, turn off the gas bottle immediately!

Do not turn back on or attempt to use the gas BBQ until the gas leak is rectified.

New to LPG? Choose ELGAS.

ELGAS is Australia’s largest LPG supplier and services the LPG energy needs of more than 350,000 homes and businesses. Whether you are looking for LPG for your home, LPG for your business, or SWAP’n’GO for your BBQ, contact ELGAS today!

How Do You Check for a Gas Leak – Common Problem Areas

 

How Do You Check for a Gas Leak on a BBQ Gas Bottle

To check for a gas leak on a BBQ gas bottle (how to find a gas leak), perform the soapy test for a gas leak around the valve and connections.

You use the same test to check for a gas leak in your home and to check for gas leak on a gas bottle.

Poor connection to the gas bottle is the most frequent cause for leaky gas.

In many cases, the main connection is just not sufficiently tightened.

Dirt or damage to the connectors are also common causes of leaky gas.

Main Connection

The standard BBQ gas regulator in Australia is a LCC27 or POL gas regulator.

An insufficiently tightened connection is a common cause for a gas leak.

O-ring seal on gas connectionThe male connector of the gas regulator, which screws into or onto the gas valve on your BBQ gas bottle, may have a rubber O-ring seal or it may rely on a metal to metal contact seal.

You should always inspect the regulator for damage, paying special attention to the connector, which screws into the BBQ gas bottle and check for a gas leak (how to find a gas leak).

If it has a rubber O-ring, it also needs to be undamaged.

The connector and the female valve opening should both be clean and undamaged.

Pieces of dirt, nicks and scratches can prevent the two components from sealing, resulting in leaky gas.

Gas Hose

Soapy water leak test on gas hoseThe gas hose is attached to the regulator on one end and the gas BBQ on the other end.

It can become damaged or deteriorate with age, causing leaky gas.

Dogs and other animals can also cause damage by chewing on the dangling hose.

Visually inspect the gas hose for cracking, splitting or other damage to find a gas leak.

You should replace the gas hose if it shows any signs of damage or degradation to prevent gas leaks.

It is good practice to replace the entire BBQ regulator and hose assembly, if it is old enough for the hose to have deteriorated, as regulators also wear with age, ending up with a gas leak.

Valve Stem

Valve stem on gas valveIn Australia, BBQ gas bottles must be tested every ten years.

The gas valve is changed upon inspection and the valves are expected to last for the full ten years.

However, occasionally the valve will fail prematurely and could develop a gas leak from around the valve stem.

This is rare but it can happen.

Please see Gas Bottle-Cylinder Testing Facts for more information on the ten year testing process.

Bleed Screw

Bleed Screw on Gas ValveThe bleed screw is a small slotted screw on the side of the BBQ gas bottle valve that lets gas vapour bleed off during the decanting refill process.

The refill technician opens it during the filling process and closes it, when done.

The screw can develop a slow gas leak if it becomes loose, so you check for a gas leak (how to find a gas leak).

When to Test

Check for a gas leak on the BBQ gas bottle, regulator & hose assembly using the soapy water test for a gas leak (how to find a gas leak) every time you reconnect your regulator to the BBQ gas bottle to the gas BBQ.

You should also use the soapy water gas leak test after any long period of non-use, such as at the beginning of gas BBQ season.

Soapy Water Solution For Soapy Water Gas Leak Test

Soapy water sprayYou will need a soapy water solution to do the soapy water test for a gas leak (how to find a gas leak).

Mixing liquid hand soap with water should work fine.

Place the solution in a liquid spray bottle.

It’s a good idea to leave the spray bottle with the BBQ, so it’s always a handy reminder to perform the soapy water test for a gas leak.

No Ammonia

Your BBQ valve and fittings are made from brass.

You must never use any soapy water leak test solution that contains ammonia, when you do your testing for leaky gas (how to find a gas leak).

Ammonia can cause brass to become brittle and crack.

Be aware that ammonia is found in many pre-prepared glass and surface cleaners, so make sure you read the label before use.

Extra Safety Tip

Do not leave gas bottles in an enclosed spaceThe best practice gas safety advice is that BBQ gas bottles should only be in a vehicle for the minimum required transport time.

When you do transport a BBQ gas bottle, you should consider one added precaution.

After making sure that the valve is firmly closed, you should do a soapy water test for a gas leak (how to find a gas leak) on the entire valve assembly to check for any possible gas leaks, prior to transport.

DO NOT leave BBQ gas bottles in enclose vehicle unnecessarily.

New Residential LPG customer?

New Business LPG customer?

Existing ELGAS customer?

Eric Hahn

Steve Reynolds

Technical Consultant

Steve Reynolds is a leading expert in the LPG industry with over 22 years of experience. As part of the national management team at ELGAS, Steve ensures the safe and efficient storage, handling, and transportation of LPG. He serves as the lead investigator for incidents and collaborates with authorities on industry developments.

Steve is a technical advisor to Standards Australia and Gas Energy Australia (GEA), and an active member of the World LPG Association (WLPGA), contributing to global standards and technical reviews. He holds a BSc. (Hons) in Industrial Chemistry from UNSW and has held senior safety and technical roles at ELGAS, making him a trusted authority in LPG safety and standards.