“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.” This is a famous quote from Benjamin Franklin, the founding father of the United States. Such a saying goes true among households using natural gas to power their appliances. A small gas leak can cause devastation and severe damage. It can even kill lives. It is, therefore, very important to check and maintain your household gas plumbing system regularly. At the same time, you can avoid big problems if you know how to detect gas leaks in your home. Here are some pieces of advice from licensed gas fitters Sydney households depend on in times of gas plumbing emergencies.
How Dangerous is a Gas Leak?
A natural gas plumbing system is generally safe when installed correctly and maintained properly. It gives the household a lot of convenience by powering up the air conditioning, cooking, heating, and washing systems. However, gas fitters in Sydney have warned that gas leaks may pose dangers to a household.
Prolonged exposure to gas leaks can cause carbon monoxide poisoning which is fatal to both animals and humans. Carbon monoxide (CO2) is a by-product of improper combustion among furnaces, heaters, ovens, or stoves. Inhaling too much CO2 can result in asphyxiation or death, especially in enclosed and tightly sealed spaces.
Gas leaks are also heightened than risks of explosions and fires. Natural gases are highly flammable. Any small spark from candles, match sticks, or ignition switches can cause it to burn and burst into flames.
If you rotten eggs or gassy odour inside your house or if your house plants commonly wither, these may be signs that you probably have gas leaks in your home. Alternatively, unexpected high bills from your gas consumption can also mean the same.
How to Detect Gas Leaks in Your Home?
Here are 5 ways on how to detect a gas line leak in your home:
Bubble Test
If you suspect a gas line or pipe is leaking, the best way to check is through a bubble test. Get a dry sponge or rag and soak it in a mixture of liquid soap and water. Wipe the solution on the line where you suspect a leak. If bubbles or soap suds start to appear, then you have a confirmed gas line leak. The bubbles are caused by gas depleting the mixture’s oxygen.
Dead Plants
Dead plants and dried grasses in your garden can indicate a gas leak. Leaking gas pipelines that run on the ground can deplete oxygen sources within the surrounding. This causes plants and grasses to wither and die. If you notice such a scenario in your home, it may be wise to consult gas fitters in Sydney to verify the cause.
Gas Meter Check
Turn off all appliances and equipment using gas in your household. Then observe your gas meter if the gauge is still moving. The movement of the gauge indicates that there is a leak in your gas pipeline. This means that gases are freely coming out on leaks instead of the valve units connected to your gas line.
Smell Test
Natural gas is odourless but a foul-smelling gas was added to it for safety purposes. Once there is a leak in your gas line, mercaptan starts to smell like rotten eggs or sulphur. You may experience smelling them while a gas appliance or equipment is on. Be sensitive; try to check if it could be possibly caused by a faulty gas line. If the smell becomes pervasive, you all need to quickly go out of the house for safety. If possible, shut down your gas supply valve and call gas fitters in Sydney for help.
Unreliable Pilot Light
A pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas on your appliances and equipment. It is commonly kept lit on furnaces, gas fireplaces, and water heaters. If the pilot light of such units is frequently snuffing out, there is somewhat a fuel disruption in your gas line. This can be due to a leak.
