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Did you know that gas is run to your home in plastic pipes?

On more than one occasion I have had buyers ask me what the wire coming out of the ground next the gas meter is---and whether it is "Live" or whether it should be connected to something. On first glance it does look like it ought to be connected to something. I have even heard of other inspectors call this out as a defect that needed "further evaluation" by an electrician. The wire I am talking about can be clearly seen in the following photograph. gas meter

This wire is merely a tracer wire that the utility installs so that they can find the gas line, if they need to, with electronic equipment. Because the gas line is plastic the wire allows them to find the wire. There is nothing that you should do with this wire and please DON'T connect it to anything---or cut if off!

Charles Buell

PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed) all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.

Posted by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector on 05/02/2008 09:32 AM

Comments (3)

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3 Comments on Did you know that gas is run to your home in plastic pipes?

Hey, energized that baby so it stays thawed out in the winter, right? Or maybe it should be in a water proof junction box with a proper cover, right?

Great info again Charles, as usual.

05/02/2008 02:14 PM

by David Holden DRH Home Inspection Akron, Ohio Summit (DRH Home Inspection Akron, Ohio Summit County Home Inspector)

Hi David, I am always amazed at how "insistant" people can be that there must be something wrong with this wire just hanging out minding its own business:)

05/02/2008 08:17 PM

by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com)

Good post as usual Charles. I get concerned if I do not see that wire on newer construction. I tell my clients to call the gas company.

05/03/2008 02:48 AM

by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)

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