More than anyone, but as a homeowner, you are the sole responsible for everything closer to your house. You have probably been inspecting your appliances for gas leaks; yet, you should also take a closer at the natural gas pipeline that runs into your property.
5 Natural Gas Safety Tips: Indications, Signs, and Necessary Actions When a Gas Leak Happens
It is estimated over 177 million American homes utilize gas in their homes. You can enjoy the benefits of the following steps if you follow the safety gas tips.
Learn to diagnose indications and warnings of a gas leak in your house.
Appliances and pipes powered by gas can form leaks, which can have possible harmful effects. It is vital to identify the symptoms and signs to know what steps you need to take if there is a gas leak. If you notice the following indications below or suspect your house has a natural gas leak, call 911 right away.
- Rotten eggs smell
- Whistling noises
- The appearance of air bubbles outside your home
- Dying or dead plants.
- Observe gas poisoning through physical symptoms
- Increasing gas usage
Always check your appliances and devices that use natural gas.
Regular inspections of your home devices and appliances help avoid and recognize potential natural gas leaks in your home. Read the instructions for each device and home appliance to know what to examine and how frequently for safety usage.
Typical gas-powered appliances comprise furnaces, water heaters, electric clothes dryers, electric generators, and stoves. Most of these devices have a pilot light, and that is something you must inspect, too. If the device has a pilot light, the flame of it should have blue with a yellow tip and small. Contact the manufacturer of the appliance if you believe something is wrong with it.
Keep your kids away from sources of natural gas.
Do not let the small children come near your appliances like heaters, stoves, and other possible exposure to natural gas. Educate your kids to spot and recognize the smell of natural gas. Teach them the signs of natural exposure and ensure they know what they need to do if there is a gas leak.
Install carbon monoxide and natural gas detectors in your home.
Slow gas leaks may not release enough natural gas smell, and even leather spread of leaks may not be noticeable with a limited natural gas smell. For this case, expert plumbers suggest homeowners in Texas install carbon monoxide and gas leak detectors in their homes.
These detectors do not identify natural gas leaks; but, they can warn you when appliances poorly burn kerosene, gas, and other fuels. For safety reasons, think about installing a CO alarm.
Learn how to turn off natural gas in your house.
Each house that utilizes natural gas has a gas shut-off valve; typically, it is outside the home. When making a list of what to do if there is a gas leak, ensure that every family member knows where they find the shut-off valve and how to utilize it. Closing the gas supply to stop inhaling additional gas from leaking prevents the family from exposure to natural gas.
Even if you shut off the gas valve, it is essential not to go back into the house if there is still a gas leak. Wait for help, and let the professionals do their job.
Be Ready For a Formal Inspection
Aside from your inspection, it is required that gas utilities perform periodic leak surveys and rust inspections on all meters. If it is located inside, you have to provide access to your property so the examiner can check your meter, pipes, fittings, and wires. If you haven’t learned it from your utility company, schedule an inspection time that works best for you.
Know Before You Dig
If anyone is digging your property, it is your job to know where the pipes and power lines are embedded first. Inform our utility company in advance. They will send utility operators who will mark the lines for free. Then, you must leave the lines intact and dig with your hand tools within two feet of them.
If You Smell Gas, Get Out Then Contact your Plumbing Company
When you smell natural gas or signs of leakage, vacate the property and call your utility company. Also, to the well-known rotten-egg smell, another indication is a whistling and hissing sound, fog, and bubbles in idle water. If you experience any of the signs, do not attempt to fix the problem on your own. Leave the area and contact a professional right away.
At Lex’s Plumbing, we have expert plumbers and the right equipment that you can trust and rely on to make sure they will help you stop the gas leak. We deliver quality plumbing services in Frisco, Little Elm, McKinney, Plano, and surrounding cities. We ensure to locate the gas leaks as we follow safety protocols in time of the pandemic. We also offer other plumbing services.
Call us at any time if you suspect a natural gas leak in your house or if you need other plumbing services.
