Safety & seasons
Ran out of propane? Why a leak check is required before relighting
When a propane tank runs empty, the lines lose pressure and joints and valve seals can relax and start to leak, so safety codes and our insurance require a pressure check and leak test of the whole system before the gas is turned back on. Do not open valves or relight pilots yourself: call American River Gas at (530) 888-7438 for a delivery and leak check, and plan to be home so the technician can get inside.
Updated · American River Gas office, Newcastle
Why running out is more than an inconvenience
In normal use, a propane system sits at a steady pressure as long as the tank has gas. When the tank runs dry, that pressure drops away. Pipe joints and the seals inside gas valves can relax, and a system that was tight last week can have a small leak today. Pilot lights on appliances also go out, and turning the gas back on without checking every appliance could let gas flow where no flame is lit.
That is why running out counts as an interruption in service, and why a pressure check is required before service is restored. The Propane Education & Research Council puts it simply: if your tank is empty, a qualified professional must inspect your system.
What to do right now
- Call the office at (530) 888-7438. After hours, weekends and holidays, the answering service reaches our staff.
- Do not try to relight pilots or restart appliances yourself.
- Do not have someone else fill the tank and turn the gas on without a leak check.
- Plan to be home for the check. The technician needs to get inside to reach every appliance, including ones in a garage, attic or crawl space.
- If you smell gas, leave the building first, then call 911 and us from outside. Do not use light switches, phones or anything that could spark inside.
What the technician checks
A leak check is a real inspection, not a formality. It covers:
- The piping from the tank to each appliance, tested under pressure to confirm it holds.
- A shut-off valve within six feet of each gas appliance.
- Sediment traps where they are required.
- The regulators, inspected and tested.
- The tank or cylinder itself.
If something does not pass
A system found unsafe or out of code is red tagged. It cannot go back into service until a qualified technician repairs the problem and the system passes. That can feel frustrating on a cold night, especially when a fireplace or water heater was the only thing you meant to run, but it is the point of the check: finding a leak before it becomes a fire or a carbon monoxide problem. Once everything passes, the technician relights the pilots and confirms the appliances are running correctly.
If the check turns up a problem inside the house, such as a loose fitting behind the range or a missing shut-off valve, the fix may be quick. Larger repairs are scheduled, and the technician explains what failed and why before anything is turned back on.
Who pays, and how to never need one
The homeowner needs to be present for the pressure check, and there is an additional charge for it. On Keep Full, if the tank runs completely out while the account is in good standing, you are not charged for the leak test or the special trip, although certain restrictions apply.
Avoiding the whole thing is mostly about timing:
- With Keep Full, deliveries are scheduled for you. If you order your own, call when the gauge reads about 30%, and check it weekly while you are heating.
- Order early before cold snaps, storms and holidays.
- Keep Full also schedules fills from outdoor temperatures and your past use, so the timing is off your plate.
- The Budget Plan spreads the year's propane into equal monthly payments, so a big winter delivery is never a reason to wait.
Questions
Straight answers
Can I just refill the tank and relight the pilots myself?
No. After running out, the system must be pressure checked by a qualified technician before the gas is turned back on, and the technician relights the pilots.
Is there a charge for the leak check?
Yes, there is an additional charge. Keep Full customers in good standing are not charged for the leak test or special trip if the tank runs out, with certain restrictions.
I turned my tank off myself. Do I need a check?
Yes. Any shut-off is an interruption in service, so have a technician check the system before the gas goes back on.
Why do I need to be home for the leak check?
The technician has to get inside to check each appliance, its shut-off valve and its pilot.
What else requires a leak check?
New installations, new customer setups, repairs or changes to the system, shut-offs, suspected leaks and new appliances.
Related
Keep reading
Sources: Propane Education & Research Council: reading your tank gauge (an empty tank must be inspected by a qualified professional) (opens in a new tab) · Propane Education & Research Council: what to do if you smell gas (opens in a new tab) · NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code (opens in a new tab)
Newcastle yard · since 1966
Questions about propane?
Call the office and talk to a real person. Or leave your details and we call you back.
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After hours, weekends and holidays, our answering service reaches a staff member.
