This post covers how to know if you have a gas leak in your home because recognizing early warning signs could help protect your property and keep your people safe.
Al Coronado Plumbing‘s emergency plumbing services take care of gas leaks in and around Tucson, Arizona. How can you stay safe against gas leaks at home? Keep reading.
Why Residential Gas Leaks Can Be Dangerous
Generally, natural gas presents a safe fuel source that’s efficient. However, for health and safety reasons, any leak will demand a plumber’s immediate intervention. Things like cracked gas lines or improperly maintained pipeline materials are not risks to ignore.
Since natural gas is also highly flammable, one electrical spark or heat from an open flame could make it explode. More importantly, excessive or long-term exposure can cause short-term and long-term health complications, or even death.
Learn How To Identify the Signs of a Potential Gas Leak
Do you have a gas leak? Review these five tips for clues.
1. Listen For Gas Detector Alarms
Every home should have a gas leak detector. The devices sound when they detect natural gas or propane. Hearing the siren should make everyone jump to attention and immediately evacuate.
2. Notice the Typical Gas Leak Symptoms
Suspect carbon monoxide poisoning? Symptoms like these need medical attention right away:
- Headache
- Breathing difficulty
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- Loss of concentration
Always get medical attention right away.
3. Check Your House Plants
Have house plants suddenly started to appear wilted, discolored, or dead? If so, don’t overlook the potential for gas exposure. Like people, plants inside and outside your home will respond to the presence of gas.
4. Use Your Senses
Natural gas is an odorless, colorless fuel. To help with natural gas leak detection, gas supply companies usually add a sulfuric or rotten egg odor to make leaks more noticeable. Hissing from the damaged gas line and foul odors are also problems.
5. Inspect the Flames on Gas Stoves
Gas stove burners should produce blue flames. If the flame turns red, orange, or yellow, the surrounding air has more of another gas than pure oxygen.
What Do You Do About a Gas Leak?
Seeing the signs of a gas leak? Evacuate, and as you and your family leave the building, push open doors and windows for maximum ventilation. Once you’re a safe distance away, contact your gas company to shut off the gas, local emergency personnel for immediate assistance, and a decent plumber to repair the leak.
You and Your Family Need Quick Help From Expert Plumbers With Any Natural Gas Leak
That’s how to know if you have a gas leak and what to do about a gas leak for the sake of your health and safety. Everything from detecting a gas smell in your home to pilot flame colors matters in the gas safety arena.
Al Coronado Plumbing’s comprehensive gas line services include repairs and installations. If you have a plumbing emergency in Tucson, Arizona, such as a suspected gas leak, don’t hesitate to call the team at (520) 834-8400 for solutions that keep you safe!