Fortunately, I've been stupid-free for a while now. However, my next door neighbor came running over this last saturday in full on panic. He was removing an old spa and cutting off the supply lines etc when one white PVC pipe he cut began spewing natural gas. I already knew the answer to my question but I asked anyways, "Did you turn off the supply valve at the meter?"....No. Got the valve shut off and let the area clear. Amazing how much NG a 3/4" line will put out. Sure enough it was schedule 40 white 3/4" PVC pipe. A little cursory dig with a shovel found this line supplied his NG hotwater heater. Seems his brother in law installed this water heater and gas line a couple years ago for him...as a favor. I explained this was highly illegal, dangerous and needs to be properly fixed. His response was, "Ok, I'll call the gas company and they will fix it". Uhmm....no, they are responsible to and including the meter. Homeowner is responsible from there. He came by this afternoon and told me he got a quote of $1200 for the repair. Told him that it sounds about right and to just bill his brother in law.
