Is a tiny gas leak dangerous?
Natural gas is one of the cleanest sources of energy available to us today. It burns cleaner and hotter, one reason why restaurants prefer gas in their kitchen. It can also be a dangerous when there is a gas leak, which is why a gas line repair is an urgent matter when a gas leak is discovered.
Hearing the words ‘gas leak’ causes most people a little panic and worry, but a gas leak in the middle of your yard isn’t a dangerous problem. The chances of a natural gas leak killing you is very slim.
In fact, less than 20 people die from gas explosions or gas leak in one year. You have a better chance of dying from falling out of your bed. In 2014, over 25 people dies from lightning strikes. Regardless how much gas companies police gas leaks, they will always exist.
With all that aside, should you suspect you have a gas leak, take a moment to make sure it isn’t something as simple as a burner was left on or a pilot light blew out. Then, if you have found an obvious reason, it is better to err to the side of safety and call for gas line check and gas line repair by a professional.
What are signs of a gas leak in your home?
There is at least one, maybe two gas appliances in most homes today. Those appliance could be the cookstove, oven, or water heater, even a heater for the hot tub or swimming pool. At any point and time, one of these, or the gas line going to them, could develop a leak and need a gas line repair. Depending on the severity of the leak and where it is located, it may be best to have the gas line repair done by a professional.
Some indicators that are telling you that there is natural gas leak are:
- Rotten Egg or Sulfur Odor: Natural gas itself is odorless, so gas supplies add Mercaptan, a chemical that gives a rotten egg or sulfur odor. So anytime you smell rotten eggs or sulfur, evacuate the area immediately. Once you’re safe, call plumber that is certified for gas line repair, then call the gas company.
- Dying Houseplants: When you’ve had a small gas leak for some time, it will zap the oxygen out of your home. This is obvious when you have dead, dying, or unhealthy houseplants. If the gas line repair isn’t done sooner than later, it can be come deadly to you and your family.
- Fatigue & Sickness: Natural gas exposure can cause deadly symptoms that include headaches, nausea, sickness, suffocation, and weakness. If anyone in your home has an abnormal or sick feeling, call 911 for an ambulance and advise your home may be exposed to natural gas poisoning and needs a gas line repair.
- Dead Bushes & Grass: Under your home are large number of natural gas pipes that are providing the gas to your appliances. If the ground cracks, a gas line will sometimes release gas in the air, absorb the Oxygen and suffocate the bushes and grass around our home. You should call a plumber that is certified to do gas line repairs immediately before this becomes a bigger problem.
- Irritated Skin: Skin irritations are sometimes noticed by people when they have been exposed to a natural gas leak. When a gas leak located in the ceiling or behind a wall, it can create a large abundance of natural gas and cause blisters, numbness, skin discoloration, and other physical issues.
- Discolored Flames: If your gas furnace or any gas pilot lights are burning blue, you don’t have any gas leak at that appliance. However, a yellow flame indicate a gas leak and you’ll need to call a plumber that has gas line repair certification.
Who is responsible for gas line repair?
Typically, a gas line repair between your home and the meter will be your responsibility. A gas line repair on the other side of the meter will be the utility company’s responsibility. However, if you suspect you have a gas leak, safety is the top priority for the gas company, and they should be notified ASAP so they can disconnect the gas until the gas line repair is complete on either side of the meter.
Who do I call to fix a gas line?
You would call a plumber, verifying they are certified for gas line repair and installation. There are easy gas line repairs that a homeowner with wrench and a little DIY ability can do when it is a tiny leak. One example would be if you’ve moved an appliance to install new flooring, you’ll need to disconnect and reconnect your gas cook stove. With gas line repair tape and the proper, well working gas line repair fittings, this can be done is few minutes.
You can test your gas line repair with a spray bottle with dish liquid and water. Simply spray the water on where you connected the gas and if you see bubbles, then you a gas leak. Undo what you’ve installed, use new gas line fittings, and reconnect. If you make three attempts without any luck, call a professional plumber, and turn the gas off at the appliance.
Yes, as a homeowner, you want to get as much from the insurance company as possible after paying them monthly premiums. From the foundation to the roof and beyond. So, does homeowners insurance cover gas line repair?
The same answer as always, or so it seems, the answer is it depends. If you have a gas leak that causes an explosion, then yes, your homeowner’s insurance will pay for this because it would be considered a covered peril.
What if you have a gas leak from an appliance that is old and beyond what is considered safe, and an explosion results? Nope your homeowner’s insurance will see that a homeowner neglect and responsibility. Call (817) 476-9963 today for your gas line leak repair in Fort Worth, TX.