So the other day one of my neighbors called the gas company down because they thought they may have a gas leak. They didn’t, but once the gas company was there anyway, they snooped around and found that my gas meter was leaking (they replaced it). But I, in turn, said once they’re there anyway, maybe they can step inside and test my appliances.
What they found at the oven was what the guy described as “minor leaking” at the brass fittings on the regulator. (I was there when he stuck his tester there - the readings were in the 50s, versus 2-3 elsewhere, but I don’t know what those numbers mean.)
The gas company doesn’t fix that - my appliance repairman needs to fix that. But when I called my regular repair guy he was very blasé about it. He said most or all ovens leak a bit at the regulator and it would cost about $350 to fix it, and he didn’t think it was worth his time or my money.
But this guy is an appliance repairman, not an expert on the dangers of gas leaks. So I wonder.
This leak detector lists a minimum detection limit of 50 PPM of methane, and so does this one (“natural gas” is mostly methane), so I would guess that when your guy was reading 50 and calling it “minor leaking,” his numbers were PPM. The lower explosion limit for methane in air is 5%, which is 50,000 PPM, so you’re not in any danger.
If a repairman is quoting $350 to do the work for you and telling you it’s not worth wasting your money, then it’s probably not worth wasting your money.
That one by the stove should be easy for you to attempt to fix on your own if you’re comfortable with tools. Likely you can tighten it yourself with a couple of wrenches. You can use soapy water on the joint to help detect the leak. Youtube videos can show you how.
One problem with leaks is that it might cause you to fail a city inspection. Sometimes they do a pressure test as part of any gas work you have done. If it shows that there is a leak, you have to track it down. You know about the oven one, but there might be others you don’t know about. If there are others, you’ll have to get them found. Those leaks could be anywhere (behind walls, ceilings, floors). It can be costly to have someone find the leak, fix it, and repair any damage they caused trying to find the leak.
The location of a leak makes a big difference. In the kitchen with a large space, decent air circulation (and presumably a fan on from time to time), 50 ppm isn’t a big deal. For a water heater in an enclosed closet that never gets opened, it could be a very big deal.