Whether your gas lines are above ground or underground, they can corrode and deteriorate over time. Gas and plumbing leaks can be detected before they occur simply by scheduling routine professional plumbing maintenance. Even so, it’s important that you stay vigilant to potential gas leak signs at all times.
Gas leaks will not only spike up your energy bill, but they’re also extremely harmful to your health. And, while you can easily detect a large gas leak by the smell, smaller leaks can often go undetected for lengthy periods of time. They’ll then be silently adding to the air pollution in your home and also slowly harming your health. Negative effects of slow-leaking gas line exposure are respiratory issues, vomiting, headaches, and more. So, it’s critical to get a gas line repair in San Jose, CA if you suspect any leaks.
6 Signs Your Home Needs a Gas Line Repair
Some signs that your home may have potential gas line leaking include:
1. Unusual Smell
Natural gas has no odor. But, mercaptan is added to gas to give it a pungent odor. The odor is frequently compared to the smell of sulfur or rotten eggs. So, smelling this faintly when you use your appliances is normal.
Now, if you smell a strong odor of rotten eggs, this can be a sign of a gas leak. You’ll want to call in a professional to inspect the situation and make an immediate repair to avoid any further issues.
You should familiarize yourself with this strong odor in advance. This will help you identify a potential gas leak so you can call the professionals in a timely manner.
2. Health Concerns
Gas leak overexposure also increases the potential for health problems. If you’re noticing the following symptoms and you don’t have a clear explanation as to why, you may have potential gas leak. If you suspect that you do, call for help immediately. These symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Flu-like symptoms
- Irregular or difficulty breathing
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Light-headedness or dizziness
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should really consider scheduling a gas line repair in San Jose, CA.
3. Pipe Corrosion
Your home’s gas lines have a limited lifespan. They’ll start corroding at some point and this can produce a gas leak if they’re not replaced before the end of their lifespan. While you may feel it’s simple to check the gas lines yourself, there are many pipes underneath your home that you can’t access and that only a professional can.
A hole or crack can also occur on a new gas line under your home due to tree root growth. If you notice any gas line leak signs, you should evacuate your home immediately and call in an experienced and licensed plumber to come to your home to diagnose and resolve the problem.
4. Hissing Sound
When gas lines make a hissing sound, it’s an indication of a gas leak. In fact, if you can actually hear a hissing sound, it means there’s a substantial leak in the gas line, and neglecting it can lead to serious harm to your property and to you. This is why it’s crucial that you call a professional to come check the situation out and make a gas line repair.
5. Dead Plants
Gas leaks underground are more difficult to detect. However, if you have plants that are near a gas line and you notice that they’re dying, it could mean that your gas line is leaking. While plants can absolutely die all on their own for various reasons, if they’re dying for no apparent reason, it could be a sign of a gas leak.
Excessive amounts of natural gas can block a plant’s oxygen source. Vegetables and fruits that come in contact with gas tend to change color. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important that you contact a professional for a gas line repair.
6. Small Bubble Test
A quick and easy method to see if you have a gas leak is to perform a bubble test. Bubble tests also work well for anything that has pressurized gas, such as tubes, tires, and propane tanks. To perform a bubble test:
- Mix a small amount of dishwashing soap into a large container of water
- Ensure the gas is on
- Dip a cloth or sponge in the mixture you made and wipe the suspected area down
- If you notice any bubbles form, it means there’s a gas leak
If you notice any bubbles form in wet areas around your house, you may have underground gas leaking. Either way, call in the professionals to come take a look.
What to Do If You Suspect a Gas Leak
If you suspect a gas leak, it’s important to follow these steps:
Step One: Open some doors and windows and exit the area right away. Don’t attempt to turn the gas off as doing so could cause a spark or it could cause damage to appliances and pipes.
Step Two: Don’t attempt to locate the source of the gas leak. Schedule an appointment so a plumber can find the leak and make the repair.
Step Three: Don’t use any matches, lighters, electricity, or appliances. You don’t want to even start your vehicle — even a small spark can lead to a big explosion.
Step Four: Evacuate all members of the house, including pets, and give your local gas company a call. Call your local fire department if you can’t reach the gas company.
Step Five: Don’t attempt to turn the gas back on by yourself if it was turned off. Always let the professionals do this.
Step Six: Call a professional, licensed plumber to come repair the leak.
Most individuals don’t think of a plumber when they think of their gas pipes. But, there’s a big link between piping for natural gas and plumbing systems. Actually, in most jurisdictions, it’s illegal for just anybody to work on an appliance or pipe that’s connected to the gas main unless they’re licensed to do so.
Professional plumbers are not the only experts skilled and experienced to do this job, but they’re also the only individual allowed to do this job. And, this is for good reason since gas line leaks can be serious health hazards. To ensure your safety, always call in a trusted and licensed plumber to deal with your gas line services.
Contact the Professionals for Your Gas Line Repair
The plumbing system in your home is a complex design with various parts that range from the gas lines and main water coming into your house to the appliances and plumbing they’re connected to. You never know when you’ll have a plumbing emergency occur. Plus, there’s never a convenient time for it to occur. Along with the inconvenience and stress, a plumbing emergency can cause property damage from water, overflowing toilets, or a burst pipe. Or you can have other nightmares like a gas line leak.
No matter what your plumbing emergency is, whether it’s clogged drains, burst pipes, broken water heaters, or a gas line leak, let our team of professional plumbers at Plumbtree Plumbing & Rooter handle the job and provide you with a quick response and timely repair. Contact Plumbtree Plumbing & Rooter in San Jose, CA today if you require a gas line repair or other plumbing services.
