Water leaks can cause a lot of damage in your home, but they're generally not life or death. Gas leaks are another matter. They can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and greatly increase the risk of fire or explosion.
Don't overlook a gas leak until it's too late. The best means of preventing a gas leak is being able to identify the warning signs, so you can call a plumber you can trust for gas line repair in Springfield Missouri.
Dead Grass Patches
Gas isn’t just deadly to humans, but plants as well. If you see a patch of dead grass in your yard, it may be due to gas leaking out from an underground pipe and killing the vegetation above.
Air Bubbles
This is another sign you might notice outdoors. Gas leaking out of an underground pipe can travel up and escape through the soil. You may notice air bubbles forming in standing water or mud, which could indicate the presence of escaping gas.
Hissing Sounds
If you ever hear air escaping from your gas line or a gas appliance, even if it is turned off, then it’s best to err on the side of caution. Immediately turn it off, open the windows and contact someone to check on things.
Bad Smell
Natural gas doesn’t actually give off an odor in its natural form. Rather, a chemical called mercaptan is added to give it that distinctive smell of rotten eggs, making it easier to detect.
Higher Gas Bills
Just as water leaks can lead to higher water bills, the same can be true for gas. Are you paying more for gas despite not using more than you usually do? Contact your local gas company to make sure there wasn’t a price increase. If there wasn’t, then you might have a gas leak on your hands.
Gas leaks can be extremely dangerous, in ways that traditional water leaks are not. Pay close attention to any warning signs and take them seriously.
If you ever notice anything out of the ordinary, err on the side of caution. Don’t hesitate to call a plumber you can trust to properly diagnose the problem and perform any necessary gas line repairs or gas line replacements.
United Plumbing can handle all types of plumbing problems, whether it's water lines or gas lines. We'll always do whatever we can to keep your family safe.