Inside my gas lamp post is a screw to turn gas on and off my question is do I turn the screw left or right for on?

 

That depends on whether or not it's a screw or a valve. If it's a quarter turn valve it can only go one of two ways. If it is a screw then it's lefty loosey (open) righty tighty (closed).

 

Try lighting it. If it lights then the valve is on. After it's lite, turn the screw or valve in the other direction to turn it off. Now you know. Also typically if it's a lever style the direction of the lever will indicate the flow of gas. Perpendicular to the pipe is off, inline with the pipe is on.

 

It is likely a straight through full flow valve.

if it is the scredriver slot indicates flow direction.
In line with the pipe would be full open, crosswise would be full closed.

 

Thanks, I think I understand this a little better now with your answer.

 

Nicor said my outdoor gas lantern has air in the line and needs to be blown out with an air compressor.where can I find someone to do this?

 

Who's Nicor?

Search your area for someone to do it. You could also post in the local marketplace section on Facebook what you are looking for.

 

Natural gas or propane should push out any air that is in the line even at the low pressure that the gas is running at. Are you sure there isn't debris in the line and that is what needs to be cleared?

 

I agree with Tolyn that there is more than just air blockage. But rather than hire someone to do the job, you'll spens as much if you just buy a $100 pancake compressor and do it your self. Then you have an air compressor for other things.

 

Thanks for all the options. Nicor is a gas company in my state that sent a supervisor out and he is the one who told me that there is air in the line That I needed a gas plumber to blow out the line. He disconnected the gaslight line from the gas pipe and gas does come out that is how he came to the conclusion that it was air in the line. I do have an air compressor but I am a little leary to fool around with gas. I can't find a gas plumber anywhere.

 

Check with your local gas company. They might be able to provide you with names of contractors in your area. You can also check with propane suppliers as their service people should be able to work on your line as well.

 

If gas was coming out of the line..... air is not the problem. Allowing the gas to flow will purge the air out. If you connect an air compressor you'll just be blowing the gas back out of the line.

Maybe the gas flow is low ?
That wouldn't be from air in the line.

 

Blowing air out of a gas line with an air compressor is nonsense.
You obviously had the wrong person look at this for you.

A gas lamp operates at the same pressure as any other appliance.
The very small flame requires there to be an orifice in the lamp with a very small hole to deliver gas to the mantle.
It is likely plugged.
What you need is a gas appliance repair person who knows how to check and clean an orifice.

If you are not familiar with gas appliances this would not be a DIY repair.
You could look inside the lamp to see if spiders or other insects built a home inside of it.

 

Thanks for all the help. I still can't find anyone to fix the gaslight so I am looking for a new mantel to replace the orifice.

 

Have you verified that you are getting gas to the fixture?

 

I'm afraid mantles are the last thing you'll need.

I posted a picture of a gas post light. The two mantles are the white envelopes up top.
In this type of light the orifice is in the base where I highlighted.
The silver tube gets lifted out exposing the top of the orifice. Then you clean the orifice.
Yours has the same parts but possibly in a different location.

 

I have to say that there have been several suggestions on how your lamp works and how you can fix it.

I would suggest that even though a gas lamp is one of the most simple gas appliances there are still potential hazards if you make a mistake when trying to fix it.
I strongly suggest that you put your efforts into finding someone who knows how to fix it..

In our area it would be a licensed gas fitter that would be qualified to make repairs on gas appliances and you would need to find one who has experience repairing gas furnaces, stoves and other gas fueled devices..

A place to start would be your gas supplier..
They will have either a service department or access to contractors that can help their customers with exactly the problem you have

 

It's the gas supplier that has caused this problem. They move my gas meter and then my light went out. They told me I have to find someone to fix it. I have been trying to find someone for well over a year and a half.

 

I will look for a gas fitter. Thanks, I appreciate the advice.

 

A gas fitter is many areas would be a plumber.

 

In some areas a plumber could be licensed to run gas lines but would not necessarily have experience servicing them.
A search term that should result in many hits would be "gas furnace repair in "my city".
Not sure why this is so difficult.