Many homeowners are surprised to find out that gas line repair, replacement, and maintenance can be handled by the gas company or more often – your local plumber. If you suspect a gas leak or some other type of problem with your gas line, you should call for assistance immediately. When you add a gas line to your home, you should familiarize yourself with the signs to look for when there’s a problem. Knowing the signs means you will be prepared in the event of a system malfunction.
Warning Signs that a Gas Line Repair is Needed
- Unpleasant Odor of Leaking Gas: A nontoxic chemical called mercaptan has an extremely noticeable and unpleasant odor that is often compared to rotten eggs is added to natural gas. The chemical was added for safety reasons. The goal was to make gas leaks in homes or businesses easily identifiable by occupants. So, if you ever notice the odor of rotten eggs, contact your local gas service provider immediately.
- Your Lawn is Dying: When you are maintaining your lawn, you may notice dead plants and flowers; it could be a sign of a current gas leak. Your plants and flowers need oxygen for their roots to grown, and if gas displaces this necessary requirement, if the plant and flower deaths are in the areas of your lawn closest to your gas line, you need to call a gas line repair specialist for an inspection.
- Malfunctioning Appliances: If you have gas appliances and they’re malfunctioning, you need to determine if the problems are isolated to a single appliance. If you have problems with more than one gas appliance, then it could be a problem with the gas line. So, one appliance may be an isolated issue, but multiple appliances are indicative of a larger gas-related issue.
- Yard Bubbles: Yard bubbles may sound cute, but they could also be a sign that you have a gas leak. If you’re watering the lawn or there have been heavy rains, you may notice bubbles forming on the lawn. The bubbles can sometimes be accompanied by other sights and sounds, like hissing.
- Utility Costs: Following the money seems to apply to many parts of life. If you notice that your gas utility costs are increasing without an increase in usage on your part, that’s a sign to begin investigating where the money is going. If you know you’ve not used the additional energy, then you may have a gas leak that’s being wasted into the ground. There’s a quick informal test you can try before calling in a professional. Shut off all your gas appliances, then check the gas meter. If your meter is still moving, you likely have a leak.
- Are You Feeling Ill?: Long-term exposure to a gas leak can make you ill. If you’re not picking up the odor of leaking gas, then there are also signs and symptoms associated with gas exposure. The side effects are serious and are usually a sign your exposure has been happening for a while. It’s important to take note if you’ve been feeling ill and the illness hasn’t been associated with anything else, or it doesn’t seem to be improving. The symptoms of gas exposure are dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.
A compromised gas line is dangerous to you and your home. Natural gas is odorless, so without additives and signs, you may never know you have a leak, which can be a safety and health hazard. If you think there the gas line repair specialists at All City Plumbing, Air & Electrical so that we can help.