Natural gas is a powerful, plentiful, and relatively clean resource, which makes it an appealing option for all kinds of domestic and commercial applications. If you live in a home or work in a building with active gas lines, then there are a few things you should know if you want to be safe and responsible. If you can recognize when your gas line has gone bad, then you can respond quickly and solve the issue before it causes any permanent damage.
Foul Aromas
Natural gas has no natural smell, which is why manufacturers add a chemical called mercaptan to the gaseous mixture. This is what gives the gas its characteristic sulfur odor that is often compared to rotten eggs. Any whiff of this smell around the home or office should prompt a closer investigation. This is the only built-in safety measure to protect you from gas leaks, so be sure to make full use of it.
Losing Your Plants
Plants are another one of the first real warning signs of a leak if there aren’t any gas detectors installed. Even a modest contamination of natural gas in the air can kill sensitive plants by inhibiting their normal rate of photosynthesis. Any gardening enthusiast is probably used to losing plants though, so this warning sign can be easily overlooked if you don’t connect the dots to the other clues.
Faint Hissing Sounds
With the symphony of smartphones, televisions, dishwashers, and all the other appliances, you can easily miss any sounds associated with a leak or other gas line problem. However, if you happen to catch it in a particularly still moment, the leak may sound like whispering or the hissing of air out of a balloon. Gas stoves make a similar sound when burners are turned on without a flame.
Changes in Gas Usage Rate
Usage rates change from season to season and from year to year, so tracking the underlying causes behind these trends can be incredibly complex. However, you don’t have to be an accountant to recognize an unexplained spike or jump in usage rate. Any kind of break or disconnection in the line can allow a lot of gas to escape, which you are likely to notice on your bill.
Get a Grip on Gas Line Problems
Gas is incredibly useful, but it’s also very dangerous. Don’t play around with leaks, even if they are small or intermittent. Residents of Fountain Valley, CA can rely on Carlson Plumbing for all kinds of local plumbing services, so contact us today for all your gas line servicing needs.
