The constant use of gas lines in homes and commercial buildings means they corrode and deteriorate over time. It doesn’t matter whether they are underground or above ground, like any pipes, they are susceptible to leaks.
For your safety and of those around you, it’s important to know how to tell if you have a gas leak.
Rotten Egg Smell
The natural gas that we use in our homes may be invisible, but it certainly isn’t odorless. Utility companies actually use an additive called Mercaptan to give the otherwise odorless gas a distinctive smell—rotten eggs.
For some, it may smell like smelly socks, rotten cabbages, or even sulfur. Mercaptan is added as a safety measure. So, the next time you smell rotting eggs, check your gas line before your refrigerator.
Hissing Sound
Gas escaping from a small puncture in a pipe tends to make a hissing sound. If you can hear a hissing someplace close to your gas lines, you may have a leak. A big one.
A hissing sound near your air conditioning unit may indicate a refrigerant leak, a faulty compressor, or a leaky valve. Shut your unit off immediately and have it dealt with promptly.
Dead Houseplants
A leaking gas line will likely cause the plants in your home to brown, wither, and die. Plants can’t survive in an environment where the air isn’t clean and lacks sufficient levels of oxygen.
Physical Symptoms
In the case of a carbon monoxide leak, you will need to take immediate action and hire a professional plumbing service to take care of the matter. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas that is extremely harmful to human beings.
If you or any of the people sharing the same space as you exhibit any of these symptoms, you may potentially have a CO gas leak.
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Difficulty breathing
- Lightheadedness
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Nosebleeds
- Headaches
- Eye and throat irritation
Try a Bubble Test
A bubble test can always be a reliable method to detect a gas leak. You may have noticed mechanics performing a bubble test to check for a puncture in a tire or an inner tube. Similarly, bubble tests are used to detect leaks in propane tanks as well.
All you need to do to perform a bubble test is:
- First, mix a little dish soap into a tub or similar container of water.
- Ensure that gas is turned on.
- Wipe down the suspected leak area with a sponge or cloth.
- If bubbles start to form, you definitely have a leak.
Stay safe and contact a professional plumbing service to repair your gas line swiftly and securely.
We have been providing the people of Fort Worth, Arlington, and other areas in Texas with expert gas line repair services for 15 years! Drop us a message today to get an estimate and an appointment. Or call us at 817-244-0614.
