Should I be worried about the corrosion? (painting, gas, leak)

[Jayerdu]

Hey all,

The base of my water meter seems to be corroded. Should I be worried? If so, is this my responsibility or the city's?

[elnina]

This looks like a gas meter to me.
Around here the gas company is responsible, although the pipe from the meter into the house is technically the homeowners.
I think, this is just surface rust and all gas pipes will do that. Very common. Those pipes are made from black iron and they will still be here after we are gone.
You can wire brush the loose rust and then paint the piping with Rustoleum primer and a Rustoleum top coat.
However, give your gas company a call and see what they recommend, because depending on your gas company's policies, painting the gas meter could be a violation of your customer agreement with them.

[JonahWicky]

The utility company typically owns up to the outlet of the meter. The corrosion doesn't look too bad, but call them and they'll check it out. Tell them you're concerned about a gas leak and they'll be there pretty quick.

[Jayerdu]

Thanks. I will call the GAS :-) company tomorrow am.

[davebarnes]

If water is flowing thru that meter, then you are in deep doodoo.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by Jayerdu

Thanks. I will call the GAS :-) company tomorrow am.

I'd be careful with calling the gas company - the rusty pipe is on "your" side of the meter & looks like it was added after the house was built & inspected (because it isn't painted like everything else) - they aren't going to paint your pipe for you, but they may shut down the meter & notify the city if they think you have unpermitted/unsafe gas connections on your side of the meter. In particular, the rusty pipe doesn't look like it's properly supported.

[Jayerdu]

Op here. Bizarre. I did end up calling the gas company. They came by today. They completely ignored the bottom part. I guess I don't need to worry then. He just replaced or repainted and then left.