A lot of homes in the U.S. today aren’t equipped with as many gas appliances as the older homes, but there are still many homes out there that are. Natural gas or some sort of liquid propane is commonly used to power appliances in the home like furnaces, stoves, water heaters, ovens, and many other appliances. While gas appliances are not as common in the home today, it is still extremely important to know what gas appliances your house is equipped with, and it is even more important to recognize the signs of a gas line leak.
Foul Odors
One of the biggest indicators of a gas leak is the smell. More specifically, the smell of rotten eggs or sulfur. If you begin to smell an unusual smell of rotten eggs or a sulfur-like smell in your house, that’s a sure indicator that you have a gas leak somewhere. Natural gas does not exude any specific odor, so a substance called mercaptan is added to natural gas appliances, so it gives off the rotten egg smell if there is a leak. Once you begin to smell the odors, it is smart to get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible and immediately call an HVAC company in your area.
Sickness or Fatigue
Another sign of a gas leak could be getting sick or feeling extremely fatigued while at home. Symptoms such as weakness, nausea, headaches, and suffocation could be signs that there’s a gas leak in your home. If you have maybe been noticing light signs of a gas leak and you’re feeling sick at a usual time of the year or not quite sure what it could be coming from, it is safest to call an ambulance to confirm if gas poisoning could the cause.
Unhealthy and Dying Houseplants
When a gas leak goes undetected for a long amount of time, it could start to negatively affect your houseplants. Since there’s not enough oxygen in the air, the plant begins to suffer by wilting away. This should be an indicator that there’s something wrong in the air, and if there is, it’s going to soon be affecting you as well.
How Dangerous Is A Gas Leak?
Gas leaks are extremely dangerous to you and anything else living inside the home. The gas that is leaking into your home is killing the oxygen that you breathe, so it can become dangerous very quickly. Not only is it dangerous for your breathing, but it also presents more of an opportunity for a fire to catch.
What To Do If I Have A Gas Line Leak?
If you notice one or more of the signs of a gas leak inside of your home, it’s time to take action. As soon as you suspect a gas leak is in your home, stop what you’re doing, grab everyone inside of your home, and go outside immediately. Once at a safe distance away from the house, call your gas company or an HVAC company in your area to come as soon as possible to inspect for leaks.
It’s better to be safe than sorry! Asphyxia, the potentially fatal condition that affects you when your body is deprived of oxygen, is not something you want to take lightly. If you are noticing any gas leak smells or any signs of a gas line leak, call the professionals immediately. The professionals at Norman Air are dedicated to making sure your home is a safe place to be. For assistance with any HVAC or plumbing needs, contact Norman Air.
