Exterior Underground Gas Leak Detection & Line Location

SoCal Sewer and Water provides underground gas leak detection and exterior line locating for buried gas piping serving residential and commercial properties.

Buried gas lines may supply pool heaters, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, detached buildings, generators, commercial equipment, and other exterior systems.

Why Underground Gas Lines Leak

Possible causes include:

• Corrosion
• Soil movement
• Failed joints
• Construction damage
• Aging materials
• Improper installation
• Underground Gas Line
• Locating

Before excavation begins, determining the likely route of the gas line can greatly improve repair planning.

Depending on the system, electronic locating may be used to follow conductive piping or tracer components.

Leak Detection

SoCal Sewer and Water may use pressure testing, electronic gas detection, isolation, locating equipment, and targeted excavation depending on site conditions.

Gas line locating tells us where the buried piping runs; leak detection helps determine where that system may be failing.

Repair vs. Replacement

An isolated underground defect may be repairable.

A heavily corroded or repeatedly leaking line may deserve replacement instead of additional spot repairs.

Commercial systems can be particularly complicated because several buried gas lines may cross parking areas or equipment zones.

Accurate locating helps reduce unnecessary excavation and allows repairs to focus on the actual underground system involved.