Let’s get this out of the way: if you can smell gas, you’re in a very bad place. Gas leaks in the 21st century are still unfortunately common, and can happen to absolutely anybody. Faulty fixtures, old appliances, or incorrect installation can all cause gas leaks (amongst many more causes). Gas is crucial to the comfort of your home, as it heats your water, helps cook your food, and even warms the entire home. While having a leak happen is easy, having them fixed is never easy. A good plumbing company is able to take all necessary precautions prior to starting a repair, but it never hurts to take some safety tips into account.
The number one safety tip we have for anyone (gas leak occurring or not) is to regularly check your systems. The common areas where there might be a gas leak, such as a hose connecting to your dryer or the pipe leading into your stove, should be regularly inspected by an expert to ensure there are no issues. You can also check yourself for any corrosion, damage, or wear. Simple aging can wear out pipes, and rubber hoses tend to not fare too well in Las Vegas. Just like the rubber tires on your car, heat dries out and cracks rubber, leading to potential gas leaks. If you notice anything seems amiss, don’t hesitate to call on it.
Use all your senses when you think there might be a gas leak. Natural gas actually doesn’t have an odor, so companies add in a compound that makes it have that awful rotten egg smell we associate with something bad happening. Smell is usually the first indication that you have a problem, so one of our safety tips is to not be afraid to sniff. Should you smell something bad, give a quick listen for any hissing or banging that could indicate there’s a leak somewhere in your gas system. We won’t ask you to listen for too long – if even the slightest smell is prevalent and you can’t find its source within a minute or two, call someone. Gas leaks are not to be taken lightly.
If you do suspect a gas leak, the safest thing to do is… Leave. Give us a call from outside the home using your mobile phone, and don’t touch anything before you do. Turning on or off any electrical appliances could cause a spark, which could result in a fire. Left unchecked and unignited, gas won’t do any damage to your home – but it could do damage to you. Gas leaks do include carbon monoxide emissions, which doesn’t have any smell. Companies can’t add anything to carbon monoxide to make it stink because it’s a naturally occuring gas that happens when fuel isn’t burning completely. Just like with any gas leak, if you suspect carbon monoxide (for example, you’re getting dizzy inside your home), call an expert and leave the premises. Get fresh air inside the home as much as you can without endangering yourself.
Gas leaks should never be taken lightly. If you have even the slightest concern that you have a leak, don’t hesitate to call someone. While there’s a certain amount you can do for prevention (such as by checking your hoses regularly), repairing them takes time and knowledge. Don’t attempt to DIY a repair by hitting YouTube and breaking out the tool belt – the cost, instead of a few bucks and peace of mind, could be death.
