Look, I get it.
You like fixing things. You’ve got a garage full of tools and a solid track record:
leaky faucet? done.
clogged toilet? no problem.
garage light won’t turn on? already rewired.
But there’s one job — just one — where we always say the same thing:
“Please don’t.”
Gas lines aren’t like the rest of your house.
You can’t “eyeball” pressure.
You won’t always smell a leak.
And a tiny mistake doesn’t mean a drip — it means boom.
“I Thought It Was Just a Loose Fitting…”
One of the worst calls I ever got started with that sentence.
The homeowner had replaced an outdoor grill line and noticed a faint smell a few days later.
He tightened a connection, wiped the pipe clean, and figured it was fine.
That night, his water heater kicked on, sparked up… and lit a low-level leak nearby.
No one got hurt — but the garage wall did. And his insurance company wasn’t happy.
Why Gas Repairs Are a Different?
Let me explain something:
A gas system isn’t “just pipes.”
It’s:
- specific pressure ratings
- approved materials and thread sealants
- local code compliance
- testing requirements
- leak detection procedures
- permits in many cases
It’s the kind of job that looks simple — until it’s really not.
What You Can Do Yourself (and What You Shouldn’t)
Go ahead and fix that dripping faucet.
Replace the wax ring on your toilet.
Even swap out a garbage disposal if you’re careful.
But gas? No.
- Don’t cap lines with random fittings.
- Don’t assume “hand-tight” is good enough.
- Don’t relight anything if you smell gas.
- And for heaven’s sake — don’t use tape from the hardware store on black iron pipe.
Golden Valley Plumbing provides expert gas line repair and installation throughout Sacramento, Roseville, Elk Grove, Rocklin, Citrus Heights, Folsom, and nearby areas. We’re fully licensed and equipped to safely handle gas piping for both residential and commercial properties.
