Gas leaks are very dangerous, especially if they go untreated for a long time. Fixing gas leaks quickly is imperative to keep your home and family safe.
By keeping your HVAC system properly maintained and knowing how to spot a leak, you can help protect your family and your home from any gas leaks.
Signs You Have a Gas Leak
Many people discover gas leaks by smelling them. They often have a distinct and foul smell of sulfur or rotten eggs.
These smells come from the gas itself and are due to the strong-smelling compound mercaptan, which is added to gas in homes. Otherwise, gas is odorless, so the smell of this compound is added to alert homeowners to a gas leak very quickly.
Another way to look for any potential gas leaks in a house is by inspecting the state of any plants inside the home.
If plants are dying all around the house, it could be due to a gas leak. Dead plants could simply be due to poor care, but if it seems sudden or without obvious cause, it may be caused by a gas leak.
A constant hissing noise from a home’s furnace is a common sign of a gas leak. This hissing noise is the sound of the leak itself, as gas is leaking out into the home.
What to Do if There’s a Gas Leak
Once a gas leak has been discovered, ensure that everyone in the building or house evacuates immediately. Exposure to gas leaks can be very harmful, and in some cases, these leaks can ignite and cause a fire or explosion. It may be necessary to alert any nearby neighbors to the leak.
When you and your family exit the house, make sure to stay a safe distance away from it to protect yourself from a possible fire or explosion.
It’s important to call 911 to report a gas leak. Though a gas leak may not seem appropriate for 911, emergency services need to know about a gas leak to correct it and keep you and your neighbors safe.
Once you and your family evacuate, don’t go back inside the house until the authorities say it’s safe to do so. You may wish to go in to collect valuables or mementos, but you could find yourself stuck inside during a fire or explosion.
Consequences of an Untreated Gas Leak
An untreated gas leak can have disastrous consequences for a household. Untreated gas leaks can ignite instantly, leading to a fire or explosion. This can happen suddenly, without warning, which is why evacuation is crucial once you know of a gas leak.
Even without a fire, an untreated gas leak can harm those who come into contact with it, especially if they are exposed to it for a long time. Gas leaks harm people by reducing the amount of oxygen available in a space. This lack of oxygen leads to many people having health problems, including breathing issues, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. If you have pets, you may see similar symptoms or notice that they want to be outside and away from the noxious air.
Gas leaks can be very dangerous because some people may be exposed to them for very long periods without even knowing. In some cases, gas leaks can be fatal if someone is exposed to them for too long.
How to Prevent a Gas Leak
A great way to prevent a gas leak in a household is by keeping the home’s HVAC system in good condition. HVAC maintenance is an important part of keeping any home safe, and professionals are always ready to help out.
Professional HVAC technicians can analyze the system’s combustion gasses for possible leaks, which is one of the main aspects of an HVAC unit.
With proper knowledge, however, anyone can check for gas leaks in their home. To start, you will need to turn off all of your appliances that use gas. After this step, you can check your gas meter.
If the meter is spinning after all the appliances have been shut off, you have a possible gas leak into the house. If this method reveals a leak, you and your family should evacuate before contacting emergency services.
Replacing old gas fittings is also an important part of preventing gas leaks. Calling a professional is always a good idea when replacing fittings, as they will make sure to do the job safely and correctly.
Gas leaks can happen suddenly and can have dangerous consequences for you, your family, and your home. If you’re concerned about a gas leak in your home, schedule an appointment with JW Plumbing, Heating and Air today and make sure your home is protected from the threat of gas leaks.
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