Natural gas is one of the safest and cleanest fossil fuels for the environment, but it can be extremely harmful if a gas leak occurs. Here are the most common signs of a gas leak in your home.
Smell
Gas and propane do not have a color or a smell, but companies include a highly recognizable odor to the gas so you can spot it. If you begin to smell rotten eggs or a sulfur odor, this is a common sign that a gas leak has occurred.
Hissing
If you start to hear a faint hissing or whistling noise near the gas line, this is another sign of a gas leak. This is considered an emergency due to high amounts of gas escaping. If you start to hear a gas line leak, you would have also smelled it. Immediately call your plumber or electrician to fix the situation.
Dying Plants
If your plants begin dying, this could be a sign of a gas leak before you even have the chance to notice it. Also be mindful of plants becoming discolored. Plants are extremely sensitive to gas build up and cannot live easily once its natural source of oxygen is blocked. If your plant life is near a gas line and begins to wilt and die, you have an easy source of a gas line leak detection.
Unusual Pet Behavior
If your animals, such as dogs, cats, reptiles or birds, start to show signs of lethargy, vomiting, not eating or just acting unusual, it may be a gas leak. Very high levels of gas can cause unconsciousness or death to your pet, so be aware of symptoms like heavy breathing, constant sleepiness, changes in behavior and red or watery eyes.
Physical Symptoms
Just like your pet, you can start to feel the onset of a gas leak. If you frequently experience lightheadedness, headaches, fatigue, nausea and chest pain, this all may be the cause of the lack of oxygen in the air. Ingesting large amounts of natural gas may lead to asphyxia, a potentially fatal condition where your body does not receive enough oxygen.
If any of these signs have shown in your home, call Mission AC and Plumbing today for a gas line leak repair or gas leak detection services.
