Gas Leak Survey
As part of our commitment to regulatory compliance and safety, we routinely conduct natural gas leak surveys on the gas distribution system throughout our service area. These surveys are required under federal and state regulations and require that the gas distribution system is inspected up to the outlet of a customer's gas meter to ensure the integrity of the natural gas system.
We understand how much you rely on your natural gas service and assure you we make every effort to perform this work as quickly and safely as possible.
Q: What does "leak survey" mean?
A: The term "Leak Survey" means LG&E has trained personnel using highly specialized equipment designed to detect the presence of natural gas. To do this, our personnel walk the natural gas pipeline routes. When the equipment detects the presence of natural gas, our technicians will further investigate to isolate the location of the detected gas leak.
Q: Why is LG&E performing a leak survey on my property?
A: LG&E is committed to providing safe, reliable natural gas service, as well as regulatory compliance. Federal and state regulations require natural gas companies to conduct leak surveys of the gas distribution piping up to the outlet of a customer's gas meter to ensure the integrity of the natural gas system. We will make every effort to perform the work as quickly and safely as possible.
Q: The letter I received says I am responsible for making repairs. Why isn't LG&E responsible for doing that for me?
A: LG&E does not own the piping that extends from the property line to the building or into the building. However, LG&E will inspect the entire service line and maintain and service company-owned equipment, including the natural gas meter and regulator as necessary to ensure safe, reliable operation and service.
Q: Will LG&E replace my gas customer service line for a fee?
A: No. We recommend you contract with a plumber to have the work done. It is not necessary for the plumber to be licensed; LG&E will inspect and test the work performed to ensure the work meets our requirements.
A good strategy may be to secure several bids and select a plumber or business you feel comfortable hiring. You may want to consider using a certified professional from the Yellow Pages or contact the Better Business Bureau for details about a particular business before contracting with them to make the repairs.
Q: Is natural gas dangerous?
A: Natural gas is not toxic. It is not poisonous. Natural gas does displace the breathable air, so if someone starts to feel sick or light-headed as a result of natural gas, it is because they are being deprived of oxygen. Natural gas is lighter than air; therefore, if it is outside it rises into the atmosphere and dissipates.
Natural gas is flammable, which is how we access its energy. For natural gas to burn, there has to be a correct air/gas mixture. Our natural gas system is designed to ensure the flammable mixture does not exist while the natural gas is within our piping.
Therefore, we perform regular leak surveys to ensure the natural gas remains inside the piping to reduce any risks associated with leaking gas.
Q: Why does LG&E have to come inside my home/business to perform the leak survey?
A: There are two situations where LG&E would need to access the inside of your home or business to conduct the leak survey.
A: Generally speaking, leak surveys are performed in residential areas every three (3) years. LG&E surveys approximately one-third of its system every year. For business districts, LG&E is required to complete the survey annually. Locations along our gas transmission system are required to be surveyed once or twice a year depending on the attributes of the pipeline and the area in which it lies.
Q: I have been living in my home for a long time. Why haven't I seen evidence of a leak survey before now?
A: We may have visited your area at a time when you were not at home. We make every effort to perform the work without intruding and we only notify our customers during the survey work when we detect a potential natural gas issue that needs to be addressed.
Q: Who should I get to make repairs or replace my service?
We recommend you contract with a plumber to have the work done. It is not necessary for the plumber to be licensed; LG&E will inspect and test the work performed to ensure the work meets our requirements.
A good strategy may be to secure several bids and select a plumber or business you feel comfortable hiring. You may want to consider using a certified professional from the Yellow Pages or contact the Better Business Bureau for details about a particular business before contracting with them to make the repairs.
Q: How do I avoid damaging other buried lines in my yard when my plumber or I am digging?
A: Whoever is excavating should contact owners of buried lines to request the lines be located. This is typically done by dialing 811 to call Kentucky 811. Kentucky 811 then informs member utility companies of your plans to excavate so they know to come locate their lines. The companies will place colored flags in your yard or use colored spray paint to indicate the locations of the buried lines. Companies typically locate up to their meter or junction box even if you own a potion of the line. It can take up to 48 hours from the time you call to get the lines located.
Q: Will it be necessary to dig my entire yard to replace my service?
A: The type of work required and the impact on customer property varies from service to service. Much depends on the layout of the yard, the condition and size of the existing piping and the route of the current piping. Ultimately, this is a discussion you will need to have with the individual or company you hire to perform the work for you.
Q: Who is responsible for fixing my driveway or sidewalk if a leak is detected?
A: If the natural gas service is located under the sidewalk or driveway at your property line (the point where LG&E's facility connects to your service), LG&E will make the necessary repairs to an area roughly two feet by four feet at that connection point. If there are other areas that are disturbed as a result of the necessary repairs to your service, those are the responsibility of the property owner.
Q: How will I know when I need to be home so you can survey the piping that leads to my meter?
A: If your meter is inside and you are not at home when we visit to perform the leak survey, we will leave notification in the form of a door hanger. This hang tag will include a telephone number so you can contact us to schedule an appointment to allow us to perform the survey. Obviously, if your meter is outside, it will not be necessary for you to be home when the survey is performed.
Q. What if I have additional questions that have not been answered here?
A. We encourage you to contact us at 502-589-1444 or 800-331-7370 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. if you have questions or need additional information about the leak survey inspection.
We understand how much you rely on your natural gas service and assure you we make every effort to perform this work as quickly and safely as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does "leak survey" mean?
A: The term "Leak Survey" means LG&E has trained personnel using highly specialized equipment designed to detect the presence of natural gas. To do this, our personnel walk the natural gas pipeline routes. When the equipment detects the presence of natural gas, our technicians will further investigate to isolate the location of the detected gas leak.
Q: Why is LG&E performing a leak survey on my property?
A: LG&E is committed to providing safe, reliable natural gas service, as well as regulatory compliance. Federal and state regulations require natural gas companies to conduct leak surveys of the gas distribution piping up to the outlet of a customer's gas meter to ensure the integrity of the natural gas system. We will make every effort to perform the work as quickly and safely as possible.
Q: The letter I received says I am responsible for making repairs. Why isn't LG&E responsible for doing that for me?
A: LG&E does not own the piping that extends from the property line to the building or into the building. However, LG&E will inspect the entire service line and maintain and service company-owned equipment, including the natural gas meter and regulator as necessary to ensure safe, reliable operation and service.
Q: Will LG&E replace my gas customer service line for a fee?
A: No. We recommend you contract with a plumber to have the work done. It is not necessary for the plumber to be licensed; LG&E will inspect and test the work performed to ensure the work meets our requirements.
A good strategy may be to secure several bids and select a plumber or business you feel comfortable hiring. You may want to consider using a certified professional from the Yellow Pages or contact the Better Business Bureau for details about a particular business before contracting with them to make the repairs.
Q: Is natural gas dangerous?
A: Natural gas is not toxic. It is not poisonous. Natural gas does displace the breathable air, so if someone starts to feel sick or light-headed as a result of natural gas, it is because they are being deprived of oxygen. Natural gas is lighter than air; therefore, if it is outside it rises into the atmosphere and dissipates.
Natural gas is flammable, which is how we access its energy. For natural gas to burn, there has to be a correct air/gas mixture. Our natural gas system is designed to ensure the flammable mixture does not exist while the natural gas is within our piping.
Therefore, we perform regular leak surveys to ensure the natural gas remains inside the piping to reduce any risks associated with leaking gas.
Q: Why does LG&E have to come inside my home/business to perform the leak survey?
A: There are two situations where LG&E would need to access the inside of your home or business to conduct the leak survey.
- The natural gas meter serving the property is inside the building. State and federal regulations require us to complete the leak survey to the outlet of the gas meter. To accomplish that, we must survey all of the piping up to the meter regardless of where the pipe is located.
- If the property is commercial or industrial, has a basement and is within a business district, state regulations require that we check the basement. This is to ensure the natural gas is not migrating through cracks in the wall, etc. and accumulating inside the building.
A: Generally speaking, leak surveys are performed in residential areas every three (3) years. LG&E surveys approximately one-third of its system every year. For business districts, LG&E is required to complete the survey annually. Locations along our gas transmission system are required to be surveyed once or twice a year depending on the attributes of the pipeline and the area in which it lies.
Q: I have been living in my home for a long time. Why haven't I seen evidence of a leak survey before now?
A: We may have visited your area at a time when you were not at home. We make every effort to perform the work without intruding and we only notify our customers during the survey work when we detect a potential natural gas issue that needs to be addressed.
Q: Who should I get to make repairs or replace my service?
We recommend you contract with a plumber to have the work done. It is not necessary for the plumber to be licensed; LG&E will inspect and test the work performed to ensure the work meets our requirements.
A good strategy may be to secure several bids and select a plumber or business you feel comfortable hiring. You may want to consider using a certified professional from the Yellow Pages or contact the Better Business Bureau for details about a particular business before contracting with them to make the repairs.
Q: How do I avoid damaging other buried lines in my yard when my plumber or I am digging?
A: Whoever is excavating should contact owners of buried lines to request the lines be located. This is typically done by dialing 811 to call Kentucky 811. Kentucky 811 then informs member utility companies of your plans to excavate so they know to come locate their lines. The companies will place colored flags in your yard or use colored spray paint to indicate the locations of the buried lines. Companies typically locate up to their meter or junction box even if you own a potion of the line. It can take up to 48 hours from the time you call to get the lines located.
Q: Will it be necessary to dig my entire yard to replace my service?
A: The type of work required and the impact on customer property varies from service to service. Much depends on the layout of the yard, the condition and size of the existing piping and the route of the current piping. Ultimately, this is a discussion you will need to have with the individual or company you hire to perform the work for you.
Q: Who is responsible for fixing my driveway or sidewalk if a leak is detected?
A: If the natural gas service is located under the sidewalk or driveway at your property line (the point where LG&E's facility connects to your service), LG&E will make the necessary repairs to an area roughly two feet by four feet at that connection point. If there are other areas that are disturbed as a result of the necessary repairs to your service, those are the responsibility of the property owner.
Q: How will I know when I need to be home so you can survey the piping that leads to my meter?
A: If your meter is inside and you are not at home when we visit to perform the leak survey, we will leave notification in the form of a door hanger. This hang tag will include a telephone number so you can contact us to schedule an appointment to allow us to perform the survey. Obviously, if your meter is outside, it will not be necessary for you to be home when the survey is performed.
Q. What if I have additional questions that have not been answered here?
A. We encourage you to contact us at 502-589-1444 or 800-331-7370 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. if you have questions or need additional information about the leak survey inspection.
