Natural gas is a convenient energy source that over half of the world's homes depend on for cooking food, heating water, and keeping their homes heated.
It is usually safe, but under some circumstances, such as when it is installed improperly or isn't maintained, a gas leak can become a major problem for your health and home.
Keep reading this blog, and you will get to know how to detect gas leaks, repair simple leaks, and help prevent the dangers caused by gas.
How Does A Natural Gas Leak
Natural gas is a fossil energy source from beneath the Earth's surface. It is a mixture of methane, non-hydrocarbon gases, and other natural gas liquids. A natural gas leak happens when a gas line or appliance springs a leak.
The natural gas inside the pipeline drips out and leaks into open areas. Natural gas leaks happen whenever exposed old gas lines start to wear and tear. Over time, the outer material of the pipe starts to wear away until small hairline fractures occur.
The Danger That Comes With Gas Leaks
The methane that is present in natural gas can cause many problems. As we know, natural gas is non-toxic, but in some conditions, natural gas leaks can result in:
● Dizziness or asphyxiation occurs whenever high concentrations of natural gases gather in small spaces.
● Flammable mixtures that are about to explode whenever exposed to open air.
● Dead vegetation, trees, and houseplants.
● Expensive gas bills for you.
● High-costing damages to your property.
Just know the basics of checking for gas leak detection at home.
Detecting Gas Leaks
Read about these ways that you can follow to check for symptoms of gas leaks in your house:
Checking For A Smell
Since most gases are colourless and odourless, natural gas companies usually add an additive called mercaptan to give natural gas a unique smell.
The odour smells like Sulphur or rotten eggs, which you can easily detect in your home. If you ever smell this particular odour, it may be best to inspect and look into the source of the leak or to get in touch with a plumber as soon as possible.
Listening To The Whistling or Hissing Noise
If you hear a hiss or whistle from your gas lines, you might have a gas leak. Pay attention to where the noise is coming from. If you hear a hissing sound near your A/C, it could be your freezer line, a leaking valve, or a damaged compressor.
Checking The Stove Or Range Top
When first turned on, gas stoves typically emit a blue flame. If your stove burner emits orange or red flames, gas in the air removes oxygen.
Using Gas Leak Detectors
The best way to determine if your home has a gas leak is to use a gas leak detector. Several gas leak detector options are available on the market.
Always choose the one from the list of people's choices. This will help you detect the problem quickly.
Going For A Soapy Water Test
A teaspoon of soap mixed with a cup of water makes a concentrated solution. Pour the soap and water solution into the area you think is leaking and see if bubbles start to appear. This indicates that gas is escaping from that area.
Fixing Gas Leaks On Your Own
After detecting a leak, it's best to get it fixed immediately. Read about these tips that you can follow to fix the leak:
Turning Off The Gas And Removing The Outer Covers
Working with gas is highly dangerous. Ensure the gas is turned off before you start the safe repair process.
Once you turn off the gas, take out the gas line covers so you can see the gas pipes. Wear a mask to protect yourself from inhalation and gloves to protect your hands.
Taking Out The Gas Line
Gas line leaks occur because of high pressure inside the pipe. To repair the leak, you must remove the gas line from the gas regulator.
Removing The Residue Of Gas Pressure And Cleaning The Line
There is a high chance that your gas lines contain gas residue. To remove it, you'll need to crack the line fittings on the high-pressure line. A wrench would be ideal for this task.
After this, you can use acetone to clean the high-pressure line. Just remove the contamination that can result in another gas leak.
Attaching The Gas Line
Whenever you are attaching the gas line, ensure it fits loosely to save it from causing new leak points.
You can apply rubber tape to hold the grip firmly in place and ensure the leak is sealed well.
Have a look at the angles of the gas lines to make sure that they're right so the high-pressure line doesn't disrupt the low-pressure line.
Applying Epoxy
Follow the package directions to apply epoxy to the gas line. Let the epoxy dry overnight. Once this is complete, tighten the high-pressure gas line's fittings. Then, install the low-pressure gas line.
Testing Gas Lines
Don't think the gas line repair process has succeeded, and go about your regular routine. Test the gas lines first.
Switch on the gas and inspect for leaks. A gas leak detector or the detection method that you prefer would come in handy.
You can repeat this sealing process until you are sure there are no more gas leaks. After repairing the leaks, put the covers back on the gas pipes.
Getting In Touch With Professionals
If you can't find the true source of your gas leak or believe it is more serious than you originally thought, call a professional plumber to repair gas pipes. Speaking of professionals, JCON PLUMBING can help you with gas fitting services at your home.
A professional plumber will handle the gas leak problem, and you can rest at night knowing that no harmful gases are seeping into your home.
How To Prevent Gas Leaks In Your House
If you don't want to experience gas leaks in your home, make sure that you perform routine maintenance on all gas-using equipment, including stoves, fireplaces, and furnaces.
Occasionally, check for signs of deterioration, breakage, warping, and damage on your gas lines.
This helps to limit the chances of experiencing a gas leak, as you'll go for repairs before a full gas leak occurs.
Another option to prevent gas leaks is to inspect your home's gas system. Professional plumbers will give you expert advice for your home's gas system and recommendations for any repairs or installations you may need.
Final Thoughts:
Whenever there is a gas leak in your home, make sure that you detect it as soon as possible using the methods we told you.
If your home has a gas detector, that’s good. If the problem becomes too much for you to handle, contact the professionals as soon as possible.
The best thing that you can do is to keep the pipes and the gas equipment at your home well-maintained and get them checked up regularly.
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