How Dangerous is a Gas Leak?

A silent, but hazardous threat, a gas leak in your home or office can lead to serious threats to both your property and loved ones. A gas leak can

lead to an explosion that can cause significant property damage or even pose significant risks to your health and safety. This is why it’s so important for everyone to understand how gas

leaks are caused and what to do in the event of a leak.

In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at the causes and warning signs of gas leaks. We also discuss just how dangerous this threat can be to you and your property and offer some practical advice on what to do if you suspect that there’s a gas leak in your home or office.

Safe Gas Services is your best choice for detecting gas leaks and completing gas repairs. We also specialize

in earthquake valve installations and retrofitting services. We offer full plumbing services including hydro jetting, sewer camera inspections, water heater replacement and copper re pipes. Our certified technicians have the tools and experience to safely assess your gas, plumbing, and heating needs, as well as installing or repairing your systems to ensure safety and compliance. Allow our team of trusted and experienced technicians to handle all your gas, heating, plumbing and retrofitting needs in order to keep your space safe and functional.

What Can Cause a Gas Leak?

Whether in your home or office, there are many different issues that can lead to gas leaks. This is why it’s so important to have your property checked by a team of industry professionals. Not only can they ensure that your gas lines are up to code and safe, but they can also respond to any problematic issues and make immediate repairs.

Some of the top causes of gas leaks include:

1. Faulty piping: piping throughout your home or office can degrade with time as seals wear off or break. When this occurs, a gas leak may occur. In some cases, the construction team, in charge of installing the piping, may utilize poor methods that lead to faulty piping.

2. Incorrect materials: There are different types of piping designed for different applications. Installing the wrong pipe can cause accelerated corrosion or damage. Underground piping must be polyethylene, scotch coat or fletcher coat gas pipe and have a coating to protect the pipe from the elements. Piping installed on the exterior of the structure above ground can be galvanized steel pipe. Piping under the structure or in the walls can be black steel or galvanized pipe. Installing the correct pipe to meet local code requires is our specialty. Local code requirements can vary and you can rely on Safe Gas Services to ensure your gas system meets local building and safety code requirements.

What are the Signs of a Gas Leak?

While it may be difficult to identify small gas leaks, larger ones may have telltale signs that you should certainly be on the look-out for to protect your property. With early detection, you can mitigate some of the potential hazards of a gas leak—protecting both your health and your property.

Some of the common warning signs of gas leaks include:

• Damaged or broken gas pipes.
• Bubbles in your water.
• Dead or wilting house plants or grass
• A distinct smell of sulfur or rotting eggs.
• A white cloud or a cloud of dust near your gas line.
• A hissing or whistling sound near a gas line.
• Hardened or blackened soil.

Additionally, warning signs of a gas leak may not always be physical. For example, some homeowners or property owners may notice that, for no identifiable reason, their gas bill has increased. When there’s a gas leak in your home, this may lead to an increase in your monthly energy bill.

How Dangerous is a Gas Leak?

While a small gas leak may not initially seem like a huge deal, they can actually prove to be a significant danger to both your health and your property. A gas leak is dangerous for many different reasons, including:

• May cause fires and explosions: natural gas is highly combustible. If a gas leak comes in contact with even a small spark, such as from an appliance, it can spark an explosion or fire. These may cause significant damage to your property.

• Harmful to your health: in addition to property damage, a gas leak can pose a serious threat to your own health. Exposure to natural gas can cause headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it may even cause tissue damage or prove to be fatal.

• Kill plants and vegetation: a natural gas leak can even damage to your household plants by creeping into the soil and killing plant cells in a process known as necrosis.

• Harmful to the environment: methane, which is a primary component of natural gas, is also a greenhouse gas that can harm the natural environment. Much more potent than carbon dioxide, methane is able to absorb even more energy and keep it trapped in our environment, adding to the widespread effects of climate change.

What Should I Do if I Suspect There’s a Gas Leak?

If you suspect that there’s a gas leak in your home, act immediately. Natural gas is highly flammable, which means that it could ignite suddenly and without warning. If you suspect that there is a gas leak in your property, do the following:

• Stop using all electronic devices: using an electrical device could potentially ignite the gas leak and cause an explosion.
• Evacuate immediately: evacuate everyone (including pets) from the building as quickly as possible. Don’t worry about grabbing important items as every second counts.
• Call Safe Gas Services, your gas leak detection specialists: standing outside of your property and at a safe distance. You can also call your local gas utility provider to investigate. Also, you should leave the door open as you exit as this will allow the gas to seep out, which minimizes the risk of a fire.

After you’ve gotten to a place of safety and called Safe Gas Services, SGS will complete a thorough gas leak investigation and identify the source of the leak. SGS has specialized in gas leak detection for over 30 years and has the experience you need. Safe Gas Services is equipped with the most up-to-date technology and equipment to complete the necessary repairs efficiently. Call Safe Gas Services for 24/7 emergency response or book an appointment now.

Conclusion – How Dangerous is a Gas Leak?

While difficult to detect, a gas leak can pose a serious hazard to your property and loved ones. Without a prompt response, a gas leak can cause a fire, explosion, or pose a danger to your health. Exposure to a gas leak can cause headaches, blurred vision, nausea, dizziness and loss of consciousness. In some cases, prolonged exposure to a gas leak could even prove fatal. This is why it’s so important to know the warning signs of a gas leak and what you should do if you suspect there is one in your building.

It is best to call Safe Gas Services  or a local gas specialist when a leak is first detected. Owners may also call their local utility provider; however, the only thing they will be able to do is shut off your gas and tell you to call a plumber or gas specialist. They’ll put a lock on the meter and the owner will then have to call utility company back out to take off the lock and restore gas appliances. Utility company can always check gas system to see if theres a potential leak.

At Safe Gas Services, we offer our clients 24/7 emergency service for gas and plumbing emergencies.

Contact us today to schedule a free inspection to determine the best path for protecting your home or property.