Gas meter shut-off

[uglystick]

Everything I've read says that if you turn off your gas at the meter, only the gas company should turn it back on, don't do it yourself.

Is there some mechanical reason for this or are they just concerned about gas leaking in the house due to unlit pilot lights when the gas is restored?

The appliances we've got are either pilot-less or automatic shut-off.

[JR]

Well, it's both. Once you exercise the valve it can start to leak when moved back to the on position. The gas co. comes out with a gas-detecting wand to test it when they turn it on.

They do this service free of chage and are usually very responsive.

Alternatively, you could test the valve with soapy water, looking for bubbles.

JR

[newbie2wood]

There is no reason preventing you from turning your meter on or off if you have the proper wrench and if you know what you are doing. Heating contractors do it all the time.

However, most utilities consider the meter their property. Thus techically, you are required to notify them if you want the gas shut off or turned on.
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[jAngiel]

What is a proper wrench? When a tornado hit our house a few years ago the gas company rep came out and shut off all of our (ours and our neighbors) meters with a cresent wrench. I didn't even now there was a way to shut if off at the meter, he had to dig down about 4 inches in the dirt to find it. Surprised me.

As said before they were very responsive when we wanted it back on. They came out quickly and even checked all gas appliances in the house, no charge. The ones with a pilot light, he lit them up for us.

[lcm1947]

I had some gas pipes replaced by a plumber a couple of months ago and when he left forgot to turn the gas back on outside. I figured what the heck I can turn a value which I did. Wish I hadn't. Gas started coming out big time. Scared the heck out of me so I turned it back off. That didn't stop it but slowed the leak down. I was afraid I was going to blow the whole house up but luckily the gas company sent a guy out and ended up having to replace the whole valve. My advice get the gas company to turn it back on. Shouldn't be a problem turning it off - it's the turning back on that's the trick. Oh and you just can't get a regular gas company guy to replace a valve it takes one of their specialists to do it. The first guy that came out tried turning it off too but couldn't get it to stop leaking because of the valve being bad and he said that happened all the time. Anyway that was my experience.

[Jesse]

Turning on your gas meter

The reason gas companies don't want you to turn on your gas meter is because most people are not sure about lighting there appliances. If they have pilots or not. It depends what you turned your gas off for, it there was a leak you want them to come out and check. If they find everything ok they will relight all your applianances. If you turned you gas off because you where repairing some gas appliance you can turn in on yourself if you feel comfortable with it. The proper way to relight all your appliances is first shut off all gas valves to each appliance. Then go and turn on you gas meter at the main shut off valve which is usually located below the gas regulator. If you smell gas around the meter turn if back off and have gas co. come and check. Also look at the dial on the meter, no dial should be turning. If all that is ok go inside and snift around each appliance before your turn them on, if there is an oder of gas then go back out and turn the meter back off. You should start with one burner on your range if you have a gas range if you don't the next best thing would be your gas dryer. The reason you want to do this is to bleed all the air out of the line. Your burner should have a nice blue flame. Be careful with gas water heaters and furnances. Follow the proper lighting seqence for all appliances. I hope this will help you. But the most important thing is safety. Retired gas serviceman.

[uglystick]

Thanks for the info guys! You confirmed what I suspected but didn't know for sure.

Mac, incredible! I had almost the exact same experience the other night, that's why I posed the question today. I thought I could turn a valve, too. When I did, gas started blowing out the back side of the valve (on the right side in the example pic)

I was able to get it stopped by tightening the nut and thought the valve was back in the "on" position (in-line with the pipe) but couldn't get any appliances lit in the house. So, I put the valve back the way it was, in the original off position and had the gas co. come out. Everything taken care of now. And I agree Jesse, safety is the most important thing.