- 1). Place a natural gas leak detector next to the gas valve to monitor it. Tape the detector to the pipe, just above the valve, with strips of duct tape. Check the detector on a regular basis -- especially if it sets off an audio alarm or lights a warning light to tell you that it detects gas leaking from the valve. If so, leave the room -- or even the house -- and call your local gas company or the fire department.
- 2). Use your nose to detect the "rotten-egg" smell that gas companies add to the odorless natural gas. Place your nose near, but not touching, the gas valve. Take a deep breath through your nose to determine if there is a gas leak . If you smell gas, leave the room or go outside and call the gas compay or the fire department.
- 3). Locate a leak in a gas valve by using bubbles to show you that the valve's integrity has been compromised. Pour tap water into a spray bottle. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Put the spray bottle's top on, Shake the bottle for five seconds. Spray the valve. Look for bubbles appearing on the valve -- the bubbles are formed by escaping gas and alert you to the fact that the gas valve is leaking. As before, leave the room or go outside and call the gas company or the fire department.
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