Faulty equipment should be taken out of service at the first sign of a leak or a mechanical problem. Keeping an eye on regulator gauges often reveals defects before they become serious. If the pointer on a regulator's low-pressure gauge creeps upward when the downstream line is closed, the regulator is defective. If the pointer fails to move from its stop pin when the regulator is pressurized, the gauge if faulty. If the pointer fails to return against the stop pin when the pressure is released, the equipment is defective and should be repaired.

Have defective equipment repaired only by properly qualified and authorized personnel. Even some welding distributors are not authorized to do this work. Playing amateur mechanic on high-pressure equipment is dangerous.