6 Symptoms Of A Gas Leak
Not sure whether there’s a gas leak or you’re overthinking? The most important thing you should know is how to detect gas leaks quickly and what to do if one occurs.
Suppose, one day, while cooking lunch, you start to feel lightheaded and lie down to rest.
This is a natural thing to do, and most people think they may be overworked. Your immediate reaction would be to have a glass of water and doze off to recharge mentally and physically.
But what if there’s nothing wrong with you but something wrong with the gas lines? That’s right! What you had passed off as stress could easily be dizziness due to carbon monoxide poisoning. And, as you must know, gas is highly flammable, which means an increased risk of fires or explosions.
There’s only one way to be sure - read our guide as we discuss the six common symptoms of a gas leak.
When a gas leak occurs, you must know what signs to look out for to protect yourself and your property. You or your family may notice some changes when a gas leak occurs. So, we have listed the six suspected gas leak symptoms you should be aware of:
Can you hear a whistling sound coming from your gas lines? The best way to be alert against a gas leak is by relying on your senses, particularly smell and hearing. You should know that gas operators add ethyl mercaptan to natural gas, and thankfully so, because natural gas is odourless. We wouldn’t be able to smell a leak without the added smell.
Most Australians have compared the smell of leaking gas to rotting cabbage or rotten eggs.
You may also hear a whistling or hissing sound from your gas pipes for your natural gas safety. In either of these circumstances, leave the area immediately and contact a professional gas plumber.
Do you have a beautiful garden in front of the house or live in an area with many trees? You might wonder what this has to do with natural gas leaks, so let us explain.
The gas company supplies natural gas through underground pipes that reach your home and connect to different appliances. But when there is a leakage in the underground pipeline, it wipes out the vegetation in the vicinity.
Plants are sensitive to even minor changes, and if you notice dying plants, it might be due to a gas leak. A buried gas line in the area could rupture due to corrosion or deterioration with age.
If you think you have an underground gas leak, contact a licensed gas plumber ASAP or call your local gas supplier.
Higher gas bills are a significant giveaway that something is not right with the gas lines.
But why didn’t you hear, smell, or notice any fault with the gas lines? This is because some leaks are tiny, and the slow leakage goes undetected. It finally shows up in the gas bill, so call a gas servicing company once you have confirmed the leak.
Sometimes, cold climates, house guests, and extra appliances add to the cost, but you won’t receive an extravagantly high bill, barring a leak.
Checking the pilot light is a simple yet effective technique to detect gas leaks or issues with the supply line. When the pilot lights keep going out, or the flame isn’t as bright as it used to be, it’s best not to take any chances and call a gas plumber.
A blue flame indicates your gas stove is working correctly. Check the flame colour since red or yellow flames cause concern and indicate a leakage. Sometimes, a change in flame colour is synonymous with carbon monoxide leakage, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If you notice a red or yellow flame - call a plumber, your local fire department or your gas company, and if you’re lucky, cleaning the burners or servicing various gas-burning appliances will resolve the issue.
The best way to ensure a gas leak is when you fall sick for no apparent reason. Some of the physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
Carbon monoxide leaks usually occur due to incomplete combustion, and the safest thing would be to step away from the gas appliances before calling a professional.
If reading our guide worries you about the timely detection of gas leaks, we have a solution. Go online and buy electronic gas detectors for detecting natural gas, carbon monoxide, and LPG. You will find handheld devices and stationary units, which you can install near appliances or the main supply line.
Gas and carbon monoxide detectors sound an alarm (like a smoke detector) when gas leaks from a pipeline.
There’s no substitute for maintenance, and it’s essential to get all the gas appliances serviced at least twice a year, if not more, based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. This involves cleaning the various appliances, checking the connections, and ensuring the gas pipes are in good condition. We suggest speaking to a gas fitter for professional advice on maintenance.
If there’s a natural gas leak, the first thing would be to alert everyone in the house and evacuate to a safe location.
Send someone to alert the neighbours if it’s a significant leak, and have the contact details of a licensed plumber or gas fitter on your emergency speed dial. We know it’s difficult, but stay calm and narrate the problem to the person concerned.
The best plumbing companies respond to emergencies within hours and have a 24/7 helpline number for consumers’ convenience. WP Plumbing offers round-the-clock services for emergency gas leaks in Melbourne. And we have the best tools to quickly and safely detect a gas leak. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
But we hope it won’t come to that because after reading our guide, you will spot gas leaks before they escalate into a big issue.
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