please check your gas meter valve!

[doublemint2]

I recently tried to turn my gas meter valve as a good CERT student might. I found that I could NOT turn it. Apparently it had been "frozen" open by age and non-use. The Gas Co. came out the next day and rebuilt my meter, which is easy to turn now. I told a friend who checked both her meter and a neighbor's. The neighbor's meter had the same problem! In three families, that's a 66% failure to close rate! Please do not assume that you can turn off your meter in an emergency--just go check by turning just a centimeter, just enough to see if the valve moves. If not, the Gas Co. will help you if you just call. Not only could this quick check save your home, it could save our town.

[Bob C]

Excellent advice.. .thanks

[snwbnny]

I haven't gone out to actually try it, but is it relitavely safe to assume that since a contractor recently added a gas line to our kitchen that our valve is ok? He had to turn the gas off when he did it right?

[doublemint2]

snwbnny,
If your valve has been turned off recently, I'd think it would be fine. My home is 31 years old and the gas has not been turned off for many years. Do you have a wrench near the meter for quick use?