Smell Gas In Your House? Here’s What to Do!
Do you smell gas in your house? This is most likely caused by a gas leak in your home from one of your appliances. Gas leaks may not always be really serious, but it’s still important to get it taken care of before it gets that way. A small leak in your gas line can be more serious than you may realize.
Is It A Gas Leak?
If you suspect you have a gas leak, it’s important to make sure you shut off your gas. There are many signs that could indicate you have a gas leak. While these don’t always mean you have a gas leak in your house, they are still important to take note of to be safe.
Signs of a gas leak;
- You smell gas
- You hear a hissing sound
- Damage to your pipes
- Physical symptoms
- Dead plants
What Causes Gas Leaks?
Gas leaks can be caused by many things. One of the most common reasons for a gas leak in your water heater or other appliances is the seal wearing down on the connecting pipes. Every so often, pipes require a new seal for their connecting parts. This is something that happens naturally, but shouldn’t happen very often. It’s important to get thee appliances fixed right away once you smell gas in your house.
Another reason you could have a gas leak is faulty installation or faulty pipes. If the gas line wasn’t installed properly or cheap and unreliable pipes were used, this could quickly lead to a gas leak. It’s important to make sure you call a professional you can trust to get the job done and get it done right. You will end up paying more money in the long run if you have to have your gas lines redone.
There are many ways your pipes can become damaged. The main thing to pay attention to is how you use your gas appliances. If not properly taken care of, your gas lines can wear down and become damaged. Not only could this lead to gas leaks, but it could also lead to gas explosions.
If one of your gas appliances is cheaply made or has an underlying issue, it could lead to issues within your gas lines. Your appliances malfunctioning can lead to damage in your gas lines. These damages can lead to leaks and explosions, as with the other possible causes of damages.
What happens If You Don’t Fix The Leak?
Not getting a gas leak fixed can have many dangerous outcomes. If you continue to use your water heater or other gas appliances with a leak, serious damage could be caused. If you are exposed to the gas for too long, you may notice some physical symptoms. These include but are not limited to; dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. While these may be more on the rare side, it’s still important to look out for these symptoms.
The worst case scenario is an explosion. This is rare, especially for a leak in a water heater line, but it’s still a possibility. This is why it’s not safe to put off getting a gas leak fixed. It’s important to get it taken care of right away so something like this doesn’t happen.
What To Do Next
If you have a leak or smell gas in your house, make sure to turn your gas off. It’s not worth it to risk the dangers of a gas leak. As mentioned above, the effects of a gas leak can be extremely dangerous. Not only would you be wasting gas by letting the leak continue, you would also be risking the health of you and your home.
It is possible to fix the problem yourself, but that can be risky. As mentioned previously, faulty parts or installation can lead to even more damage. We highly recommended hiring a professional to make sure you’re safe and all your appliances work properly.
How A Gas Leak Is Repaired
In the majority of cases, gas lines just need to be repaired or resealed. That is the best case scenario. If the damage is bad enough, you might require a whole new gas line. Because this is dangerous if done incorrectly, it’s recommended to call a professional to help.
If your pipes just need a new seal, the process is not too complicated. To do this, the pipes need to be taken down and completely taken apart so they can be resealed. A putty resembling glue is used to reseal the pipes. This can be a long process if there are many leaks involved. Many people have gas lines in their home that run more than just their water heater. Gas can also be used to run stoves, dryers, refrigerators, and heat. If there are multiple leaks within all of these lines, the damage could be very costly as well as dangerous. Gas appliances aren’t as common as they used to be, but they are still out there in many places and should be monitored for any potential damages or issues.
Call your local plumber to get the leak taken care of. They will inspect the lines and make sure they find each and every leak. It is common for them to find more leaks than what the client originally thought there was. Once they locate the leak, they’ll be able to access the situation and determine if they need to repair or replace.
Final Thoughts
As you may be able to tell, it’s very important to be cautious with your gas appliances. If you smell gas in your house, take action right away! Obtaining more knowledge about how to maintain gas appliances and what to look out for could save your money, your home, and your health. Make sure you take care of your appliances, have your gas lines installed professionally, and keep an eye on the state of your gas lines. If you are ever in doubt about how to handle a situation with your gas lines, call a trusted professional for help.
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.
