Written on: October 6, 2020
Don’t panic. A hissing noise could be a sign of a leak, but it could also be caused by other harmless aspects of your propane tank.
Here’s how to tell if the hissing sound is a leak and how to react.
Have you recently received a propane delivery? If so, an open bleeder valve or fixed liquid level gauge could be to blame. Delivery technicians open these valves during the propane refilling process and, in some cases, they are not completely closed when the refill is finished. Turn the bleeder valve clockwise until it is completely closed and you can no longer turn it. If the hissing noise persists, continue reading.
Is it a hot, sunny day? Check to see if the cap on your relief valve is open. If so, the valve is doing what it’s designed to do on hot days; slowly release pressure built up by the propane that expands when subjected to heat. The cap may have blown off due to the pressure. This safety feature is in place to protect against ruptures or explosions from expanding gas. If you see the cap open, do not look into the relief valve or tap it with anything. That can cause the valve to open all the way and release more pressure than is necessary. You can cool the tank by spraying water from your garden hose onto the tank’s surface. That should cause the relief valve to close. If the hissing noise persists, you may have a propane gas leak.
Hissing can also be a symptom of a propane gas leak. If you smell gas, immediately evacuate the area and contact Lakes Gas. If you do not smell gas and have tried both above options and still hear hissing, you can easily check for a small leak yourself by spraying a solution of dish soap and water onto the gauge or other areas of the tank where you suspect a leak. If you see bubbles, you have a leak. The larger the bubbles, the larger the size of the leak. If you do find a leak, contact Lakes Gas to arrange for repairs.
Additionally, if you are looking for a new residential propane provider in Minnesota or Wisconsin, Lakes Gas can help.
