Identifying and Responding to Dangerous Gas Leaks
Gas leaks are extremely dangerous and are more common than homeowners realize. Natural gas leaks typically arise from pipelines and infiltrate areas where they normally shouldn’t be. These dangerous leaks can then build into an explosive concentration, increasing the risk of explosions and fires.
In addition to the risk of explosions and fires, gas leaks can also harm vegetation and trees and produce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which can harm the environment. But what are the signs of gas leaks, and how should homeowners treat them? We’ll be discussing these questions and more in this article.
Gas Leak Symptoms
Homeowners should be aware of a few common signs of a gas leak. Since these signs point to a possible gas leak, a professional must be contacted immediately if any of these signs are present, as gas leaks can be very dangerous and should not be ignored.
The most common symptoms of a gas leak include:
- Foul smells such as rotten egg odors
- Hissing noises coming from the gas chamber
- Air bubbles, especially outside of the home and in puddles and mud
- Plants that are in the process of dying or have already died
- Higher gas bills
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and trouble breathing – are symptoms of gas poisoning, and anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their healthcare professional immediately
Responding to Gas Leaks
If any of the abovementioned signs are present in the home, homeowners should take extreme caution and immediately evacuate all residents, people, and pets, from the home. Once everyone is out, it is important to contact a professional immediately.
Additionally, homeowners must be careful not to make any flames or turn on lights or electrical devices while exiting the house. If a gas leak is present, an explosion can occur should homeowners do any of these things before leaving their homes.
Professional Responses
Professionals are experienced and trained to find and resolve gas leaks. Homeowners should leave it to the professionals and not try fixing the leak themselves because gas leaks are extremely dangerous and can even be fatal.
Qualified professionals will use a gas leak detection system to determine if a gas leak is present and where the leak is coming from. Once diagnosed, the professional can then repair the gas leak.
Gas detectors can be installed in the home to provide a preventive measure to detect gas leaks as soon as they occur. Homeowners should note that carbon monoxide detectors are not the same as gas detectors and will not detect gas leaks. However, some models may come with both a carbon monoxide and gas leak detector and will state so on the packaging, so homeowners should ensure that they read the packaging to see what device they have or are about to buy.
About Shamrock Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Inc.
Shamrock Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Inc. have nearly two decades of experience serving the residents of Orlando, FL, and the surrounding areas. They provide friendly customer service, 24/7 emergency response, and no overtime charges. Call them today for plumbing services in Orlando, FL.