A gas leak: This term, when spoken out loud, is enough to cause a scare. Whether you’re breathing in an obvious gas smell or hearing a hissing sound in your residential or commercial property, noticing these warning signs can make all the difference in protecting the people living there or exposing them to life-threatening dangers.
How Can You Tell if You Have a Gas Leak?
Detecting a gas leak as soon as possible ensures your safety and the safety of the people living on your property. To help you out, here are the most common signs to look out for:
1. Smell
Natural gas is odorless, and the leaks might have gone unnoticed if the utility companies had not added a chemical called Mercaptan in it to give it a particular rotten egg smell.
So, if you come into your home or visit your commercial property and notice this smell, there is a high chance you have a leak.
The problem is most people get accustomed to this rotten egg smell over time, which makes it hard for them to notice. Also, if the leak is slow, this smell might not be strong enough to even consider it as a threat. Therefore, you may need to look for other signs to be sure of a leak.
2. Sound
Gas often produces an unusual hissing or whistling noise from where it is leaking. These can be from corroded pipes, their joints, or appliances. Therefore, be weary when you listen to this sound and pay attention to fixing it.
3. Physical Symptoms
If you or anyone in your home or business experiences unexplained physical symptoms, it could be because of a gas leak. But the severity of these symptoms depends on how much gas has been inhaled and for how long. Some common signs are:
Mild Exposure:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Eye and throat irritations
High exposure:
- Loss of consciousness
- Suffocation
- Pale or blistered skin (from direct contact with compressed or liquid gas)
Note: All of the above symptoms can be due to other medical conditions. However, if you suspect the gas leak to be the culprit, evacuate the area at once.
4. Higher Gas Bills
If you notice that your gas consumption is the same as before, but there is a sudden increase in the current bill, a hidden leak could be the issue.
5. Appliance Issues
It’s possible the gas appliances won’t work the way they used to due to a leak. One such example is the pilot lights regularly going out or burning with a yellow flame instead of blue.
How Do You Check for a Gas Leak?
If you notice any of the above signs and suspect a gas leak, there are a few ways to confirm this:
Use a Gas Leak Detector
You can buy a gas leak detector to discover small leaks that might not be easily noticeable otherwise. It triggers an alarm when concentrations reach dangerous levels.
Combustible gas detectors are the most common type and work best for detecting natural gas. You can also invest in carbon monoxide detectors to catch other forms of gas leaks, but they are not as reliable as the combustible ones.
It is best to place the detector near stoves, ovens, and water heaters because their joints are more prone to leaks.
Tip: Regularly check batteries and test the alarm to make sure it’s working.
Visibly Look for Leaks
Any visible damage to gas pipes or connections can result in a leak. To verify this, mix dish soap (small quantity) and water in a spray bottle and spray it onto the pipe or joint you suspect is leaking. If you see bubbles forming, the gas is escaping from there and needs fixing.
A telltale sign of an underground gas leak is bubbles in puddles or plants on your property that suddenly die or turn brown for no apparent reason. You can also confirm this by mixing the soup and water solution in a bowl and applying it over the area where your plants sit.
However, it’s a reality that gas leaks in underground pipes or behind walls can escape notice since they are not easily visible.
How Long Does It Take for a Gas Leak To Harm You?
The time it takes for a gas leak to harm you depends on:
- Concentration of gas
- Type of gas
- Duration of exposure
- Ventilation
- Immunity in your body
But if you are interested in stats, the rule of thumb is at 75% exposure, you can immediately incapacitate and may die in a matter of minutes.
On the flip side, slow exposure can lead to many waning symptoms, but again, this can cause a lack of oxygen, resulting in unconsciousness and becoming fatal. Not to mention, there is a very high risk of fire or explosion if you accidentally ignite a lighter or other flammable object near the leak.
When To Call a Plumber?
If you think there is a gas leak but cannot locate it, contact a professional plumber to accurately detect it and take the necessary measures to fix the problem. The technician may recommend repairing or replacing an appliance if the leak is originating from it.