Preventing & Detecting a Gas Leak – 4 Things You Need to do to Keep Your Family Safe

Gas leaks can be very dangerous for you and your family, so it’s important to understand how to prevent and detect any potential issues with the gas system in your home.  We’ll review issues that can cause leaks, as well as how to detect and prevent list – here are the top four things you need to do to keep your family safe.

Learn What Causes a Leak

The most common reason that gas leaks occur is from poorly fitted pipes around appliances that use gas.  Improper installation is one of the top causes of gas leaks, and it’s a cause that can be prevented. Pipes that are poorly installed can easily allow dangerous gas leak into your home, specifically around the pipe sealing – it’s also common for older appliances to have gas leaks, so you should think about getting regular maintenance on your appliances to keep you and your family safe.

Understand How to Detect a Leak

Detecting a leak is vital for keeping your home safe from gas leaks.  There are a few simple tips and tricks that you can follow to detect gas leaks and get them fixed as quickly as possible.  The first and probably most obvious sign that there’s a gas leak in your home is the smell. Most gas leaks cause a smell similar to rotten eggs, which is fairly easy to detect.  However, if there’s a carbon monoxide leak there won’t be a smell, so you need to look for other signs.

If you notice that you’re feeling dizzy or lightheaded, get outside immediately.  If the symptoms get better when you’re outside, you may be experiencing the effects of carbon monoxide, which is extremely dangerous.  Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it is more difficult to detect because it has no odour.

There are a few other ways to detect a gas leak, including hearing a hissing sound – if you hear a hissing sound in your gas lines, chances are there’s a crack in the line or the seal’s integrity is compromised.  Check your appliances for any physical signs of a gas leak such as scorched areas around the piping.

Stop the Leak

If you’ve detected a leak, you need to take steps to stop the leak before it becomes dangerous.  The first thing you should do if you’re able to is cut off the gas supply to your home. That will stop the leak from getting worse or spreading.  If you’re not able to locate where you can turn off your gas supply, the next step is to open all of your doors and windows to get as much fresh air into the home as possible to clear out the gas.  

As soon as the gas is turned off and the windows and doors are opened, get out of the house as quickly as you can.  The longer you are in your home during a gas leak, the higher the likelihood of serious health complications. Avoid using electricity or open flames while your home is airing out to prevent potential fires or gas explosions.

Prevent Future Leaks

Gas leaks can become very serious very quickly, so it’s important to take steps to prevent gas leaks from happening in the future.  The best way to prevent gas leaks is to make sure that your appliances are installed by trained professionals, like the experts at Murphy’s Plumbing.  We also recommend regular inspections as your home and appliances age. We can provide a thorough inspection to make sure your appliances are safe for your home and family.