Fast Plumbing Answers: How to Detect a Gas Leak?

You’ve got a leak, or you’ve been told you probably do. Either way, you're trying to figure out what happens next and how a plumber actually finds a gas leak.

Don’t worry: we’ll answer all your questions in 2 minutes or less.

We’re Mother, a Dallas-Fort Worth plumbing company that provides dependable, hassle-free modern plumbing for homeowners who value quality. If you need proper gas line installation and sizing advice, we’re here to provide you long-term plumbing solutions that last. 

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Gas Leak Testing: What Happens When You Call a Plumber

Gas leak detection in DFW starts with one goal: find the leak without causing more headaches. At Mother, we do that by running a pressure test on your gas system. Here's how our licensed tradesman plumber Colton Staley explains it:

“We open up the gas system at the meter, hook up a test hose and gauge, pump the whole system up with air, and then walk every fitting and every section of pipe to find out where the leak’s at.”

We pressurize the entire gas system with air, usually at 3 PSI, and use a test gauge to monitor for any pressure loss. We then inspect every accessible fitting, joint, and line—in your attic, crawlspace, and wherever else gas is run to find the exact spot where air is escaping.

Why It’s Not Just “One Little Leak”

Leaks in gas systems are almost never isolated.

“I’ve seen it over and over. You fix one leak, and five feet later there’s another,” says Colton. “I’ve found five, six, even seven in the same system.”

That’s why we don’t just test the spot that looks suspicious. We test the whole system, because if you miss even one leak, you’re right back where you started—only now you’re doing the job twice and paying more.

What Happens After the Leak Is Found

Here’s exactly what you can expect when you work with Mother:

1. We locate the leak with a full-system air test.
2. We quote the repair clearly and honestly—whether it’s one joint or a full reroute.
3. We make the repair, using high-quality pipe, fittings, and sealants.
4. We retest the line after the repair. If it holds pressure, you’re good to go.

If your gas hasn’t been shut off yet, you’re ahead of the game. Getting this fixed now keeps the city and ATMOS out of it no disruption, no red tape, and no going days without hot water or heat.

Quick Note About ATMOS and Permits

If your gas has already been shut off — either by ATMOS or due to a failed inspection — you’ll need a licensed plumber to pull a permit, perform a gas test, and schedule a city inspection before service can be restored.

In that case, we handle the entire process for you. We work directly with city inspectors and know exactly what standards your city requires (Dallas, for example, mandates a 3 psi test for 15 minutes with no pressure drop source).

Once the repair is made and the test passes, we schedule the inspection, get it signed off, and only then will ATMOS restore service.

Can You Do This Yourself? No, and You Don’t Want To.

Gas work is regulated. You must be a licensed plumber to legally test, repair, or modify a gas system in Texas. You also need to provide documentation and pass inspection if any part of your system is shut off.

Even if you're handy, this isn’t the job to experiment on. You’re dealing with combustible gas in enclosed spaces. That’s why we treat it with the seriousness it deserves.

“It’s definitely not an easy process, but it’s a simple one. Find the leak, fix it, test it again. And make sure every fitting in the house is safe before the gas gets turned back on.”

Call Mother Modern Plumbing

We don’t do half measures. We test your full system, give you a straight answer, and get it fixed right the first time whether that’s one leak or a full replacement. If you’re in Dallas-Fort Worth and you even think you have a gas leak, call us before it becomes a bigger problem.

📞 Call now or visit callmother.com

 Honest plumbing. No fine print. No BS.

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