When your Gas Supply Company on the Sunshine Coast exchanges an empty cylinder for you, they do the right thing by checking connections at the pigtails and the regulator. If a leak is found, they will not connect your pigtails to the cylinder(s) for safety and they will advise you to contact a gasfitter. This can be quite daunting especially if it’s late afternoon. We will endeavour to get to you the same day to get the issue rectified and your gas re-connected.
A common problem is the changeover valve above the regulator. Sometimes it’s just the glue that has dried up and so it needs to be refitted with fresh (AGA approved high pressure sealant) to make it good again. If the valve has become stiff, it may break the rubber O ring inside it. The valves are only about $25. It’s best to have them changed if you have difficulty in changing over when a cylinder runs out. We always carry valves on our vehicles as well as various LPG regulators and pigtail hoses.
Due to the gas regulator constantly expanding and contracting under the Queensland sun, the diaphragm inside can perish and the regulator either leaks at the seams or gas escapes via either the pin hole high pressure vent or the larger low pressure vent. Any smell of gas near your cylinders needs to be investigated. It may only seem like a passing “whiff” to you but if you have a leak, it will leak 24 hours a day and that’s wasting your gas. We use VFV leak detector fluid which is safe for brass fittings. If in doubt, get your gas checked out!
Quite a few gas installations on the Sunny Coast are installed without a test point at the regulator. If we can fit one we will. We also have a selection of ready-made fittings that enable us to pressure test your gas system regardless. It’s much less likely to have a gas leak at your appliance but it does happen. Gas valves can dry out on older stoves and we always carry approved gas tap grease to be able to carry out an immediate repair. The only other real issue we see is down to poor installation where an incorrect fitting has been used to make do. The only way to tell how safe your system is for sure is to have it pressure tested by a professional gasfitter. If you have any queries or doubts about the integrity of your gas installation we are only too happy to help.
For any leaks whether at home, on a caravan or camper or even commercial or industrial please don't hesitate to call!