what causes gas leaks

Signs of a Gas Leak in Your Home

Gas leaks, especially inside of your home, can be very dangerous. It’s important to know the signs of a gas leak to ensure it doesn’t go unnoticed for very long. It’s important to note that if you experience any of these signs, it doesn’t automatically mean you have a gas leak. If you notice any of these, it’s still important to be safe and find the potential leak.

gas leak

You smell gas

Anytime you smell gas, you should investigate. It’s never a good sign to be able to smell gas inside your home or near your water heater with no explanation to why. The smell of gas is actually infused into it for this specific reason. Because of how dangerous a gas leak can be, gas companies add the scent so people will know if something is wrong. This is one of the most common signs of a gas leak.

Water heater with a gas leak. Taken from 1-Tom-Plumber job site.
Gas leak from a water heater

You hear a hissing sound

Do you hear a hissing sound coming from somewhere in your house? Go check your pipes to see if you can find out where it’s coming from. A hissing sound can mean many things in your home, but it’s still not a good sign in the majority of cases. This can mean you have any sort of leak, whether it be gas or water. Neither of these are things that should go unnoticed. Even if it’s a sign of a water leak, it’s also one of the signs of a gas leak.

Damage to your pipes

If your pipes are damaged, it’s likely they have a leak or will have one in the near future. Damaged pipes are always a sign that something is wrong. It’s really important to get these things taken care of before they lead to even bigger problems. Damage can happen for many reasons. The first thing you should do to help the longevity of your pipes is to take care of them as well as your gas appliances. It’s dangerous to use your appliances for anything other than their intended purpose. While not all homes are equipped with gas appliances, many homes are. These include; water heaters, dryers, fire places, and stoves.

Damaged pipe, which is one of the signs of a gas leak.
Damaged pipe

Physical symptoms

Being exposed to gas can have physical effects on your health. You may feel dizzy, short of breath, nauseous, or experience headaches. Usually if you are sick you think it’s anything other than one of the signs of a gas leak. It’s dangerous to your health if you let the leak affect you like this. It’s not the end of the world if you experience these symptoms, but it’s definitely worth getting checked out by your doctor to ensure you weren’t exposed to too much gas. We strongly recommend having a carbon monoxide alarm in your home to ensure you aren’t being exposed to gas. 

Dead plants

This is definitely a rare situation. If your plants are dying suddenly for no reason, it’s a good idea to investigate. Gas can cause plants to die when exposed to a heavy amount. This is when you really know something is wrong. If the leak is bad enough to kill your plants, it can really impact your health. It’s also possible an explosion might occur if it gets bad enough. Make sure to take care of the leak before it gets to this point! You should notice the other signs of a gas leak before it gets to this point.

Dead plants, which can occur from being exposed to a large amount of gas

Higher Gas Bill

It’s common for your gas bill to go up in certain situations. When it starts to get cold outside, you’ll use your heater more which will result in a higher gas bill, if you have gas appliances of course. It’s important to monitor not only your bill, but how much gas you are using to ensure the reason for the bill increase. If your high gas bill isn’t due to leak or anything of that sort, there are ways to effectively lower your bill

Final Thoughts

Make sure to look out for these signs in your home! Gas leaks can be very dangerous and should be taken seriously. Taking care of your appliances and knowing the signs of a gas leak will help you substantially. Always be cautious and contact a professional if you feel you may have a gas leak. It’s not just about your gas bill, it’s about your safety.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you have a leak in your gas lines for your gas appliances. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.

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