A gas leak is one of the most dangerous issues that can occur in your household. Unfortunately, this insidious problem can also be hard to stop, as the signs a gas leak has occurred in your home may not be readily apparent. Fortunately, our experts at All Pro All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric are here to help you learn how to detect a gas leak before it’s too late. Keep reading for what you need to know, and remember that for all the gas line services you need, you can always count on our experienced team.
5 Common Signs of a Household Gas Leak
- A Sulfuric, Rotten Egg Smell: Perhaps the most common sign of a household gas leak is the smell of sulfur, often known as “rotten egg smell,” which comes from a chemical called Mercaptan. Mercaptan is typically added to gas-using appliances to let homeowners know they are experiencing a leak. You and your family should immediately leave your house if you detect this odor in your home, as this smell likely means the Mercaptan is working, and you’re dealing with a gas leak somewhere in your system.
- Dead Plants: Has that fern or peace lily in your house suddenly withered and died? It could be because a gas leak is sucking the Oxygen from your home, thus making it difficult for your plants to breathe. If this has occurred in your house, it means a gas leak may have been going on for a sustained period of time, meaning it is extremely important to evacuate promptly and call a professional. The same can also be true for plants outside your house, when a gas leak occurs in a pipe underground.Watch out for yellow leaves, dead grass, and dried-out bushes, and if you notice plants dying in your yard or garden, have someone come out to look at your gas line.
- Health Problems: It should go without saying, but a lack of Oxygen in your home won’t just affect your plants. If a gas leak has started to build up in your house, you may find yourself feeling nauseous and light-headed. You may experience severe headaches or have trouble breathing. In some cases, a carbon monoxide leak can even lead to blistering, numbness, or skin discoloration. Bottom line: a spike in health issues should never be ignored, and if these symptoms sound at all familiar to you, get out of your house right away and call for emergency assistance.
- Strange Noises: If there is a hissing sound coming from your gas furnace, it could be because your system is experiencing a gas leak. Granted, there are many things that can cause furnace noises, but you should still call a technician if there is a hissing sound emanating from your furnace, just to be safe. This is even more true if you have noticed any of the other signs mentioned above.
- Discolored Flames: Another issue with gas furnaces that should not be ignored is a discolored flame. At all times, you want that little flame – aka the “pilot light” – in your furnace to be blue. A yellow flame indicates that there is a ventilation issue in your system, possibly due to a lack of Oxygen which, as we’ve established, points to a gas leak. Once again, make sure to contact a professional to determine if a gas leak is causing this issue within your system.
If you believe there is a gas leak in your home, call All Pro All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today at (909) 500-8193. For other inquiries, fill out our contact form online.