A gas leak must always be considered an emergency. If you believe you have a gas leak, you need to open the windows and doors, evacuate your home, move at least 300 feet away from it, and call the utility company and an emergency plumber right away. But how would you know that you have a gas leak? Here are four immediate signs that gas is leaking in your home.
1. You Smell Gas
The smell of gas is an obvious indication of a leak, but this was not always the case. The natural gas and propane used to provide energy for your appliances and HVAC system actually don’t have a smell. Since 1937, a chemical called mercaptan has been added to natural gas to alert people to the presence of a leak. In March 1937 a gas leak led to an explosion in a Texas school that killed hundreds of children and their teachers. The gas was allowed to accumulate because no one could smell it.
2. You Hear Hissing Sounds
A gas leak, especially a large one, might make hissing noises. Sometimes in the hubbub of daily life, you might not hear them. That’s why it’s important to check your gas lines on a regular basis. Listen for hissing noises, and take the appropriate action. By the way, you’ll hear hissing noises even if the stove, washing machine, or other appliance is off.
3. You or Members of Your Household Feel Sick
Breathing in even low levels of natural gas can make you sick. You may have bouts of nausea or tiredness and might even have times when it’s hard to breathe or feel dizzy. Your skin and eyes may be irritated. These symptoms can be so mild and sporadic that you dismiss them, but then you notice that other members of your household, including your pets, are having them as well. Higher levels of escaping gas make these symptoms more intense. If this is the case, you’ll need to seek medical help along with finding and fixing the gas leak.
4. Bubbles Appear in Standing Water in Your Yard
Natural gas and propane come into your home via underground pipes. If you see bubbles in a puddle over where the gas line is buried, it’s probably a sign of a leak. One interesting way to find out if there’s a leak in your internal pipes is to paint a joint in the pipe with soapy water. If bubbles form, there’s a gas leak.
Other, longer-term signs that you have a gas leak are houseplants or shrubbery that are wilting and dying even though you’ve been giving them the proper care. Even your lawn can be affected if the gas line runs beneath it. The grass in the area might turn yellow. Another sign that there’s a leak is unusually high energy bills even though your usage of energy hasn’t increased. Another thing to realize is your carbon monoxide detector won’t tell you if there’s a gas leak. It’s important to be vigilant about these signs, as gas leaks can pose serious safety hazards.
