Gas Leak Detection & Repair in Fresno, CA
If you suspect a gas leak, your safety comes first. Once you’re safe and clear, call Stedman’s. Our licensed plumbers use electronic detection equipment and pressure testing to locate and repair gas leaks throughout Fresno and the Central Valley.
Natural gas is one of the most common energy sources in Fresno homes — powering water heaters, furnaces, ranges, and dryers. When a gas line or connection develops a leak, it creates a serious life-safety hazard. Gas leaks can cause fire, explosion, and carbon monoxide-related illness if not addressed immediately by a licensed professional.
At Stedman’s Plumbing, gas leak detection and repair is one of the most critical services we offer. Our licensed technicians use professional-grade electronic gas detection equipment to locate leaks quickly and accurately, then repair the problem at its source. We serve homes and businesses throughout Fresno, Clovis, and the surrounding Central Valley.
Warning Signs of a Gas Leak
Natural gas is odorless in its raw form, but gas companies add mercaptan — a sulfur-based odorant — specifically so leaks can be detected by smell. If you notice any of these signs, take them seriously:
Rotten Egg / Sulfur Smell
The strongest indicator of a gas leak. Mercaptan is added to natural gas to produce this distinctive odor.
Hissing Near Gas Lines
An audible hiss or whistle near a gas appliance, pipe, or meter suggests gas escaping under pressure.
Dead or Dying Vegetation
Unexplained patches of dead grass or plants in your yard, especially near gas lines, can indicate an underground leak.
Bubbling in Standing Water
Gas bubbling up through puddles, mud, or standing water near your home may indicate a buried gas line leak.
Physical Symptoms
Unexplained headaches, dizziness, nausea, or fatigue inside the home can signal carbon monoxide or gas exposure.
Higher-Than-Normal Gas Bill
A sudden spike in your gas bill with no change in usage patterns is worth investigating as a potential slow leak.
How We Detect Gas Leaks
Our licensed plumbers do not guess. We use professional equipment and a systematic process to locate the source of the leak with accuracy before any repair work begins:
- Electronic gas detection: We use combustible gas detectors sensitive to parts-per-million concentrations to sweep gas lines, fittings, appliance connections, and meter areas for any trace of escaping gas.
- Pressure testing: We isolate sections of your gas system and apply measured pressure, then monitor for pressure drops that indicate a leak — an essential step for confirming buried or concealed line integrity.
- Visual inspection of connections: Every accessible fitting, flexible connector, shutoff valve, and appliance hookup is visually inspected. We also use the soap bubble test at joints and fittings to visually confirm leak locations.
- Appliance-level inspection: We inspect the gas connections behind your water heater, furnace, dryer, range, and other appliances where flexible connectors and appliance regulators are common failure points.
- Repair and retest: Once the leak is located and repaired, we re-pressurize and re-test the system before restoring gas service to confirm the issue is fully resolved.
Gas Line Services
Gas leak detection is one component of our broader gas line work. Stedman’s handles the full range of residential and light-commercial interior gas line services:
Gas Leak Repair
Once a leak is located, we repair or replace the affected section, fitting, or connector. All repair work meets California code and is retested for integrity before service is restored.
Gas Line ServicesGas Line Inspection
Pre-purchase home inspections, post-renovation checks, or periodic safety inspections — we assess your interior gas system and provide a clear report of its condition and any concerns.
Learn MoreGas Line Replacement
Corroded, aging, or damaged gas lines can be replaced with modern black iron or CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing). We handle new appliance gas runs and full line replacements.
Gas Line ReplacementCommon Gas Leak Locations in Fresno Homes
Gas leaks can occur anywhere along the gas supply system — from the meter to the appliance connection. In Fresno’s housing stock, which includes many homes built between the 1950s and 1980s, the most common leak points include:
- Water heater connections — flexible connectors and union fittings at the appliance inlet can crack or corrode over time
- Furnace and HVAC gas valves — aging pilot valve assemblies and pressure regulators in older furnaces are a frequent source
- Gas dryer connections — flexible dryer connectors behind appliances are often overlooked during regular maintenance
- Range / cooktop supply lines — the flexible connector behind the stove, especially in older kitchens, is a common failure point
- Outdoor grill and BBQ lines — buried or above-ground gas lines serving outdoor cooking areas can develop leaks from corrosion or ground movement
- Meter connections and risers — while PG&E is responsible for the meter itself, the riser and connections on the customer side can develop leaks
- Buried gas lines — underground gas lines can develop leaks from soil movement, corrosion, or root intrusion — often visible by dead vegetation above the line
When to Call PG&E vs. a Licensed Plumber
PG&E is responsible for the gas main supply and the meter itself. If you suspect a problem with the meter, the street supply line, or gas service to your property, call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. A licensed plumber handles all gas lines and appliance connections on the customer side of the meter — inside the building and on your property. If your leak is inside the home or within your property line beyond the meter, call Stedman’s.
After the Leak Is Fixed: What to Expect
Repairing the leak is only part of the job. Before we leave, we complete a full safety verification process to confirm your gas system is safe and fully operational:
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave the building immediately — do not flip any light switches, use your phone, or do anything that could create a spark while you are still inside. Once outside and a safe distance away, call 911. After emergency responders have cleared the scene and it is safe to re-enter, call a licensed plumber to locate and repair the source of the leak. Do not attempt to find or fix the leak yourself.
Licensed plumbers use electronic combustible gas detectors that can sense gas at concentrations of just a few parts per million — far more sensitive than the human nose. We also perform pressure testing on sections of the gas line to identify drops that indicate escaping gas, and use a soap bubble test applied directly to fittings and joints to visually pinpoint small leaks. This combination of methods allows us to locate leaks accurately, even in hard-to-see locations.
It depends on the severity and location of the leak. For most repairs where the gas supply to the affected section has been shut off and the space has been properly ventilated, residents can wait outside or in a separate part of the home while work proceeds. For active leaks or situations where the entire gas supply must be shut off, we advise staying outside until the repair is complete and the home has been cleared. Your technician will walk you through the specific situation.
Most gas leak repairs are completed in one to three hours. A single fitting replacement or flexible connector swap can often be done in under an hour, including the retesting process. More involved repairs — such as a section of buried gas line or a corroded iron pipe run — may require a half-day or full-day visit. We provide a clear scope explanation before any work begins so you know what to expect.
The most common causes of gas leaks in Fresno homes include corroded or aging pipe joints and fittings (particularly in homes built before 1980 with black iron pipe systems), cracked flexible connectors behind appliances, damage to gas connections during renovations or appliance installations, ground movement that stresses buried gas lines, and deteriorated seals at pressure regulators and shutoff valves. Fresno’s soil conditions and the age of much of its housing stock contribute to accelerated wear on older gas infrastructure.