Gas lines are essential for powering many appliances in your home, such as stoves, water heaters, and furnaces. However, if they are damaged or leaking, they can also pose a serious risk to your family's health.
Gas leaks can cause fires, explosions, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and even death. Therefore, it is important to know the signs that your gas lines need to be repaired and to act fast if you suspect a problem.
Here are some of the common signs that your gas lines need to be repaired.
Sulfur Smell
Natural gas does not have an odor. However, gas companies add mercaptan, a smelly chemical, to ensure that natural gas has a distinctive, recognizable smell.
If you notice a rotten egg smell in your home, it could mean that there is a gas leak somewhere. You should immediately turn off the gas supply, open the windows, and call a professional plumber to inspect and repair the leak.
Hissing or Whistling Sounds
If you hear a hissing or whistling sound near your gas appliances or pipes, it could indicate that there is a crack or hole in the gas line. This sound is caused by the high-pressure gas escaping through the opening. You should turn off the gas supply immediately and contact a professional plumber.
Changes in Appliance Performance
Another sign that your gas lines need to be repaired is if you notice any changes in the performance of your gas appliances. The changes could include low or uneven flames, yellow or orange flames instead of blue, or soot or carbon deposits on or around the appliance. These signs indicate that your gas system is not working properly and could be leaking gas or carbon monoxide into your home.
Dead or Dying Plants
Gas leaks can affect the health of your plants, especially if they are near a gas line. The gas can deprive the plants of fresh air and nutrients, causing them to wilt, yellow, or die.
If you notice that your plants are dying or showing signs of distress, you should check for other signs of a gas leak.
Higher Gas Bills
If your gas bills are suddenly higher than usual, it may mean that there is a breach in your gas line, wasting gas and money. A small leak may not be noticeable at first, but over time, it can add up to a significant amount of gas loss. You should compare your current gas bills with those from previous months and seasons. Be sure to look for any unexplained spikes.
Physical Symptoms
Gas leaks can affect your physical health and well-being. Exposure to natural gas can cause CO poisoning, resulting in headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, breathing difficulties, and even loss of consciousness. If you or anyone in your household experiences these symptoms, you should seek medical attention and check for gas leaks in your home.
Visible Pipe Damage
If you notice any physical damage to your gas pipes or appliances, such as cracks, corrosion, rust, dents, or bends in the metal, your gas lines should be repaired. Many of these issues occur as your gas plumbing ages but could also indicate that the lines were poorly installed. Damaged gas pipes or appliances could leak gas or CO into your home and pose a fire, explosion, and health hazard.
Gas lines are essential to your home's comfort and safety. However, they can also pose serious risks if they are damaged or malfunctioning. If you suspect a gas line issue in your home, contact Lewis Plumbing. We can inspect your lines and make any necessary repairs.