Gas leaks can be extremely harmful to your health and also cause a high increase in energy bills. Larger gas leaks are usually detected easily, due to the unpleasant smell that they produce. Smaller gas leaks can actually go undetected for a long time.
Gas leaks are dangerous as they harm your health by adding to the air pollution indoors. Overexposure to gas leaks can lead to adverse effects like vomiting, respiratory problems, headaches, and many other issues.
It becomes very important to fix gas leaks due to the harm they can have. Gas line repairs in Fountain Hills can inspect your home and fix any issues that your home may have. There are some ways you can check for gas leaks yourself, as well.
Why Do Gas Leaks Occur?
Gas leaks can occur due to a number of reasons:
- Poorly-fitted pipes can become loose, which causes gas to escape from between the joints
- The pipe fittings can also be of poor quality, which causes them to deteriorate faster
- Badly maintained appliances can also develop broken components which cause gas to escape faster
If you have old appliances, make sure they are serviced often so they don’t leak.
What Are Some Signs That You Have Gas Leaks?
It doesn’t matter whether you have installed above ground or underground gas lines; they can corrode or deteriorate over time. It is important to get gas leaks fixed as quickly as possible, which is only possible if you detect it on time. There are some symptoms or signs that you can look out for which will help you ascertain if you have a gas leak. They are as follows:
1 - Hissing Sounds
When the gas is escaping the gas line, it can emit a hissing sound. If you are actually able to hear this sound, it means that the gas leak is actually quite big. If you continue to ignore this sound, it can cause damage to property, as well as the health of you and your family. Call for a gas line repair service in Fountain Hills at once to fix the issue.
2 - Rotten Egg Smells
For safety, gas companies add this unpleasant odor to gas so it can help you detect any gas leak that may occur. Otherwise, detecting the odorless and colorless gas would be an issue. People describe this smell as sulfurous or rotten eggs. Upon noticing this smell, make sure to call gas line repair services at once to prevent a problem.
3 - Dead Plants
If you have underground gas lines installed in your house, gas leaks can actually be harder to detect. However, gas leaks can have adverse effects on plants causing them to wither and die. It blocks the oxygen from reaching the plant.
If you notice the color of vegetables or fruits changing, or plants dying without any obvious reason, then call a gas line repair service. They will inspect your gas pipes and let you know what the problem is.
4 - Fog or Mist
Natural gas can create unusual clouds of fog or mist around the house. If the gas line is completely ruptured, it creates differences in the atmospheric pressure which can cause this mist to form. If this fog appears, it means your gas line is completely broken which can be very dangerous.
5 - Low Pressure
Gas leaks mean that not enough gas will actually get to your house. If you find that your stove is not working properly or your heating system is malfunctioning, it means a gas leak has occurred.
6 - Bubble Test
Experts on gas line repair also recommend doing the bubble test which can let you know if there is a gas leak in your house. To perform this test, all you need is a little dishwashing soap and a large container of water. Dip a cloth or sponge in the soap mixture and turn on the gas. Wipe the area on the pipes that you suspect of having the gas leak. If bubble start to form, it means that you have a gas leak. If this is the case, call a gas repair service to properly inspect your gas line.
7 - High Energy Bills
Gas leaks can cause more demand for energy in your house than normal. Getting higher than normal bills can be a sign of gas leaks, especially if your consumption is the same as before.
8 - Health Concerns
Health issues can arise if you are exposed to natural gas for a long time since it prevents oxygen from getting to your body. The natural gas is also toxic so if you are experiencing some health issues without any apparent reason, it could mean gas leaks. Some health concerns that you may begin to exhibit are:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Chest pains
- Drowsiness
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Difficulty in breathing or irregular breathing
- Flu-like symptoms
If you begin to show more than one of these signs together, without explanation, than it can mean overexposure to natural gas.
What to Do If You Detect Gas Leaks?
If you do find some of the above signs in your home, it is better to follow the steps below at once to prevent damage to your property and health:
- Make sure all the windows and doors are open so that the area is properly ventilated.
- Remove yourself and family members from the vicinity at once to prevent health problems.
- Do not attempt to locate more leaks or fix the gas line as you may make the situation worse.
- Switch off any electrical equipment or appliances at once. Electrical sparks may cause an explosion. Do not use any matches or lighters as they may cause fires. Make sure to alert everyone in the vicinity so they avoid using any such things as well.
- Call a gas line repair service at once and wait for them while being away from the affected area.