Gas leaks happen, and they can be very dangerous. Fortunately, there are specific signs that should alert you to a gas line leak in your home or office. Scheduling regular maintenance with a qualified Coral Springs plumber will help ensure that your gas lines are in safe working order. And remember that it’s always in your best interest to err on the side of safety when it comes to gas leaks.
First Things First
If you enter your home or office and notice the smell of sulfur of if there is any other indicator that gas may be leaking, there are certain steps that you should take immediately:
- Get everyone – including pets – out of the house.
- Open the doors and window before leaving your home.
- Do not smoke, light a match, or ignite any other flame inside your home.
- Don’t flip any switches on or off.
- Call the utility company as quickly as possible, but make the call from outside your home.
Always take a suspected gas leak very seriously and call an experienced Coral Springs plumber.
Signs of a Gas Leak
If you have a gas leak, you may notice the smell of sulfur upon entering your home. Natural gas has no odor, so this sulfur smell, which resembles the smell of rotten eggs, is added as a warning sign. Besides this distinctive odor, there are additional warning signs:
- If you hear a hissing or whistling sound near a gas line – or coming from a gas line – it may be indicative of a leak.
- If one of your gas pipes is visibly damaged or worn, it could be leaking.
- If you see a cloud of dust or a white cloud near a gas line, it likely means you have a leak.
- If your houseplants are dying for no apparent reason, a gas leak could be the cause.
- If your gas bills have been higher than expected, it could be due to leaking gas.
The gas that powers our appliances is highly flammable, and as such, increases the risk of dangerous fires and explosions. Because a leak in your gas line can be extremely dangerous, it’s important to take any indication of such a leak very seriously.
Physical Symptoms of a Gas Leak
As gas leaks into the air, the oxygen we breathe becomes less plentiful, which can lead to specific physical symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue and/or drowsiness
- Headaches
- Changes in mood
- Nausea
- Eye and/or throat irritation
A slow gas leak can lead to mild symptoms that may disappear when you leave the house. Take note of any symptoms that seem to show up only when you and your family members are at home.
Causes of Gas Line Leaks
A leak in your gas line can be caused by any number of issues with your gas pipes, but these leaks are often caused when the gas lines into your appliances are poorly fitted and/or poorly maintained. If the fittings that connect gas pipes to the appliances they power aren’t secure, are damaged, are inferior in manufacture, or are severely worn, it can lead to a gas leak. Further, if the gas pipes themselves are wearing out, damaged, punctured, or otherwise deteriorating, the gas can leak directly from the pipes. Whatever the cause, a gas leak requires a professional Coral Springs plumber.
Regularly Scheduled Maintenance Is Important
You likely don’t give your gas pipes much thought – until a problem arises. Gas leaks, however, aren’t uncommon, and engaging an experienced plumber for yearly maintenance checks is a sensible preventative measure. Plumbing emergencies are no laughing matter, but regular maintenance can help ward off future problems, pinpoint where problems could arise, and provide you with valuable information related to keeping your plumbing – including your gas pipes – in excellent working order.
Scheduling regular maintenance with a professional Coral Springs plumber is an important mechanism for helping to prevent gas pipe leaks and other plumbing emergencies.
