Seismic Gas Shutoff Valve Installation Cost

Keeping your family and your home safe should always be your top priority. There are different ways to go about accomplishing that as a homeowner. Sometimes, the addition of a seemingly minor item can make a huge difference in that regard.

A seismic gas shutoff valve can be a valuable addition to many homes. The aforementioned item can potentially save your home in the event of a disaster. If you don’t have one already, you should definitely consider installing one.

The average cost to install a seismic gas shutoff valve is $600. Homeowners spend an average of $400 on labor and $200 for the seismic gas shutoff valve itself. You may have to spend an additional $6 per linear foot to remove and replace gas lines and up to $2,600 for a full gas line overhaul.

Installing a seismic gas shutoff valve could very well be a necessity for your home. Find out how much it will cost to get that important piece of safety equipment installed by reading on.

Let’s get to know what a seismic gas shutoff valve is before discussing all the expenses related to it. First off, you should know that this item is also sometimes known as an earthquake gas shutoff valve. Those names should already clue you into the importance of this particular item.

The job of the seismic gas shutoff valve is to prevent the effects of a disaster from getting worse. When an earthquake strikes, various items inside your home may fall over, crack open, or shatter. Important connections such as electrical wires and gas lines may also be damaged by the impact of an earthquake.

A busted gas line becomes especially dangerous in that scenario. The continuous flow of gas into your home can easily lead to a fire. Of course, it can also get significantly worse than that. There’s also a chance that the accumulation of gas inside your home can trigger an explosion. You can imagine just how disastrous such an occurrence could be.

The seismic gas shutoff valve’s job is simple. In the event of an earthquake, it will automatically stop the flow of natural gas into your home. The earthquake may still devastate your home, but at least you’ll stop from it catching on fire due to the gas. The damage will not be as bad as it could have possibly been.

Earthquake gas shutoff valves are incredibly valuable because of how helpful they are during an emergency. You may not always have the presence of mind to shut off the gas in the middle of an earthquake. With the valve installed, that’s one fewer thing you’ll have to worry about.

Whether or not you’ll be required to install an earthquake gas shutoff valve will depend on where you live. Places where earthquakes are relatively common often require residents to install seismic gas shutoff valves.

Many municipalities throughout the state of California have those laws. You can understand why given the state’s history when it comes to earthquakes. It’s best to check with your local government and ask about the requirements pertaining to shutoff valves.

Should you skip out on installing a seismic gas shutoff valve if it’s not required in your area? That’s for you to decide. It’s difficult to deny the value of that valve if you live in an earthquake-prone area though.

The main factor that will affect the price of your seismic gas shutoff valve is the size of your gas line. We’re not talking about the length of the gas line here. The diameter of the gas line is what you need to know if you’re buying an earthquake gas shutoff valve.

Numerous homes throughout the country use gas lines that are about 3/4 of an inch thick in terms of diameter. The appropriate valve for pipes of that size will cost about $100.

Your gas line may be slightly thicker, measuring at a full inch in terms of diameter. In that case, the valve you’ll need may cost $200. A more expensive valve – one priced at close to $300 – may be required depending on the pressure in your gas line.

It’s worth noting here that there are thicker gas lines and valves that correspond to them on the market. Some gas lines will measure up to four inches in diameter and some are even double that in terms of thickness.

Those gas lines are usually reserved for commercial establishments. They are not really needed for residential settings. You don’t have to worry about paying for the valves that can fit those larger gas lines.

The shutoff valves we’re talking about in this article are the ones that will control the main source of natural gas. That’s part of the reason why they are so expensive.

Notably, though, you can also find gas shutoff valves for individual appliances. Those valves are way more affordable. Even the most expensive appliance valves cost around $40 tops. You can find some appliance valves that are sold for $15.

Given the potential savings, should you consider using an appliance shutoff valve in place of a seismic gas shutoff valve? Wanting to save money is understandable, but this is not the area where you should try to do that.

Going with individual appliance valves is risky. One of them can malfunction and still cause an explosion inside your home. It’s better to go to the source of the gas and cut off the supply right there.

Also, you may not be able to save that much money even if you opt for the individual valves. Equipping multiple appliances with a shutoff valve can lead to costs piling up in a hurry as well.

You cannot just pick up any seismic gas shutoff valve and expect it to be a good fit for your home. Doing so could lead to you wasting money. Homeowners must first gather some information before making a purchase. Start by getting in touch with the relevant authorities in your area.

Usually, the Department of Building and Safety is the one you must contact if you have questions regarding gas shutoff valves. Reach out to them and ask about their requirements for shutoff valves. They should be able to tell you what size and type of valve you should purchase.

After finding out the specific kind of gas shutoff valve you need, you can start looking for it. Look online or in hardware stores for the gas shutoff valve. If you’re busy, you can also talk to the installer as they may have a valve suitable for your home already. You can just pay them extra for the valve and for the installation.

How much will you have to pay to get a seismic gas shutoff valve installed? That will depend on which service you hire. This is where scouting the service providers in your area will be crucial.

Some installers will take on this job for $250. In exchange for that fee, they will handle the installation from start to finish and also supply certain items. They will also handle the tasks needed prior to installation.

That $250 fee will not include the earthquake gas shutoff valve though. You will have to pay extra if you’re getting that item from them as well. You can also find services that will charge $300 to $400 for the installation. The more experienced installers are the ones who usually charge extra.

Seismic gas shutoff valve installations aren’t especially pricey, but saving money on them whenever possible is still ideal. So, is it possible to get a discounted deal on your installation? That will ultimately depend on which service you’re working with.

Take the time to search for installers who offer package deals. The package deals often entail getting multiple earthquake gas shutoff valves installed at the same time. Package deals are great for apartment residents or for those who live in homes that are clustered together. You can pool money together with your neighbors and secure a pretty good deal.

Discounts for multiple appliance installations are less common. You may have to pay full price for those installations. That’s another reason why going for the seismic gas shutoff valve can turn out to be the better choice.

Assuming the spot where the valve needs to be installed is accessible and in good condition, the job won’t take long. The installation could be finished in about two to three hours. You’ll be able to use your gas-powered appliances on the same day you get the valve installed.

Remember the estimated completion time for the installation if you’re still looking for a service to hire. Some of the installers in your area may prefer to go by an hourly rate instead of a fixed fee. Note their hourly rate and the expected completion time for the job to figure out if you’re getting a good deal.

The installers will inspect your gas lines before they proceed with the job. Upon doing so, they may find that your gas lines are in poor condition. They may suggest removing and replacing your gas lines prior to installing the shutoff valve. You’re in for a way larger bill if that’s the case.

Removing the gas lines is going to cost a lot of money. Professionals will typically charge around $6 per linear foot of gas line removed. You could be looking at an expense of $600 once all the damaged gas lines are removed.

Installation is going to be even more expensive. Don’t be surprised if you’re given a bill of close to $2,000 for your new gas lines.

Homeowners are potentially looking at an additional $2,600 being added to their expenses. Keep in mind that the valve installation is still not included in that total. Avoid paying for gas line replacement earlier than expected by properly maintaining them.

Related Questions

How Do You Switch Open the Seismic Gas Shutoff Valve?

If the shutoff valve cut access to your natural gas supply due to an earthquake, you will have to reset it. Before resetting the valve though, you should first inspect your appliances and gas lines. Check the appliances and connections for any signs of leaking.Assuming that you’ve spotted no signs of leaking, you can proceed with resetting the valve. The owner’s manual will provide instructions detailing how to do exactly that.Alternatively, you can also hire professionals to work on the valve following an earthquake. They can inspect your appliances, connections, and the valve itself before resetting anything.

What Are the Other Benefits of Installing a Seismic Gas Shutoff Valve?

Beyond making your home safer, installing a seismic gas shutoff valve also offers other benefits. For instance, the value of your home may increase due to the newest installation.Insurance companies may also offer discounts on their policies if you get a seismic gas shutoff valve installed. They may become more amenable to offering a better deal after seeing how invested you are in home security.