Natural Gas Leak Detection Fountain Valley
If you’re smelling gas or something seems off near your heater, BBQ, or stove, don’t guess—call for natural gas leak detection in Fountain Valley. That rotten egg smell is added to alert you to a leak. And while it might not seem serious at first, even a small gas leak can build up and become dangerous fast.
Our team uses brand-new calibrated sniffers, pressure testers, and manometers to find where the leak is really coming from. Some leaks are out in the yard. Others are behind walls or appliances. Either way, we’ll track it down, test it properly, and let you know what needs to be done next.
We’ve handled thousands of these across Orange County over the last 40+ years. If your gas company shut off your meter, or you’re not sure if it’s safe, give us a call. We’ll find the leak and get your home cleared safely and quickly.
Story – Leak Behind the Wall Near Plavan Elementary
A few weeks ago, we got a call from a homeowner right near Plavan Elementary, off Bushard and Warner. She said the smell was faint but kept coming back in the evenings, mostly in the hallway.
The gas company said their meter test didn’t show anything major, but still told her to call a plumber. When we showed up, we ran our high-sensitivity sniffer around every line—stove, heater, and water heater. Nothing major popped. But when we pressure-tested the hallway heater stub-out, the line dropped just enough.
It ended up being a cracked valve hidden behind the wall heater cover. We swapped it out, pressure-tested the line again, and sealed the wall back up. Her kid had been getting headaches and she thought it was from school. It wasn’t—it was a leak.
Common Leak Areas and Tools We Use to Detect Them
| Leak Location | Typical Issue | Tools Used |
| Stove or cooktop | Flex connector crack or loose threads | Electronic gas sniffer |
| Water heater | Valve thread wear or rusted shutoff | Manometer and soap bubble test |
| Wall heater or furnace | Pilot line or valve body leak | High-sensitivity sniffer + gauge |
| Outdoor BBQ stub-outs | Corrosion or shallow line fractures | Pressure drop + tracer gas |
| Underground stub (yard) | Rusted riser or root-damaged elbow | Isolation testing with manometer |
Source: SoCalGas Homeowner Leak Guide
https://www.socalgas.com/stay-safe/safety-and-prevention/gas-leak
Homeowner Prep for Leak Detection Visits
Here’s what helps the most before we show up:
If the smell is inside: don’t open windows or turn on any fans. Air movement makes the leak harder to find, and some fans can spark if they’re older models. Just leave things as they are. If the smell is strong, go outside and call us.
For outdoor smells, try to keep BBQs or meter areas clear. Don’t touch any shutoff valves unless the gas company already turned it off. If pets are out back, bring them in before we start inspecting. We’ll need full access to appliance hookups, gas risers, and meters.
These small steps help us test quicker—and in some cases, save you money.
Need a Local Plumber In Fountain Valley?
Professional Plumbing provides free plumbing inspections for current homeowners during business hours. A small fee applies for homes in escrow or for sale, which can be credited toward repair costs if we're hired.
What Homeowners Try Before Calling – And Why It Fails
One homeowner told us they left a bowl of vinegar near their stove because a blog said it would “absorb gas smells.” It didn’t. Another family used incense to try and “track the scent trail” through the house. That made things worse. We’ve even seen people shut off the gas, wait a day, and then turn it back on hoping the leak “reset.”
None of that works. In fact, some of it can make things more dangerous. The gas system needs professional tools—not guesses. If your gas is off or you’re not sure it’s safe, stop trying tricks. We’ll test it the right way and explain what’s going on without scare tactics.
Other Services Related to Gas Leak Detection
FAQs – Natural Gas Leak Detection Fountain Valley
Natural gas is mixed with a chemical that smells like rotten eggs to warn you. If you smell it near appliances or the meter, you should assume it’s a leak until tested.
Yes. Many are. We use pressure tests and sniffer tools that help us find leaks without tearing up walls or floors unless absolutely necessary.
That usually means the pressure test failed, but they couldn’t see the leak location. That’s our job. We’ll isolate the lines, find the drop, and make the repair.
Most homes take 30 to 90 minutes depending on how many appliances and lines you have. Bigger homes or tricky outdoor setups may take a bit longer.
Most of the time, yes. If it’s a bad fitting or valve, we’ll fix it that visit. Bigger jobs like slab lines or reroutes may need permits or next-day work.
