Gas plumbing pipes, just like plumbing pipes for water, will eventually break down and need repairs. You may not think of natural gas as actually corroding pipes and connectors but it does happen, and of course pipes can corrode or otherwise need maintenance or repair simply due to age. Note a few quick troubleshooting and repair tips for your home's gas plumbing, and as with all home repairs, be sure the gas and electric are shut off before beginning any repairs. You also want to leave repairs to gas plumbing to a professional if they're outside your area of expertise.

1. Joints and connectors 

Many gas plumbing problems are caused by corrosion around the joint connectors. This is usually the first place to look; note if you see signs of rust or any stains along these areas. If so, the protective layer of these connections has probably worn out and the pipes are not fitting as well as they should, and gas could even be leaking. Typically it's good to simply replace these joints and connectors once they're worn or you see any signs of corrosion.

2. Spigot

If the gas plumbing in your home has any type of spigot, the seals on this spigot may get damaged or just dry out over time. In turn, they may shrink, crack, shred, or otherwise become ineffective. This too can cause a gas leak or interrupt the natural flow of gas through the spigot. You can check for leaks by dripping soapy water around the area of the spigot seal; if you see bubbles form, this typically means a gas leak. It can be sufficient to just change out the seals of the spigot rather than the entire spigot itself.

3. Cracks in the pipes

If there are minor leaks because of cracks in the gas pipes, you can usually address these with what are called repair sleeves. These are made of fiberglass and are meant for gas pipes. They are applied with an epoxy-based resin that keeps them in place, and they cover over these minor leaks and cracks.

Note that these sleeves are not meant to hold pipes together and can get stretched out of place, so if the crack is so severe that the pipe has become enlarged, you want to replace the pipe altogether. However, for very minor cracks caused by corrosion or age, the sleeve can adhere to the pipe and keep it functional.