Can you smell the scent of gas around your home?

Most common fixtures related to hot water and heating systems run on natural gas. All the gas lines used for such systems are mainly situated underground. They corrode over time, and often plumbing maintenance service is required every year by professionals to maintain the gas lines. Our pool of experts also detect plumbing defects and gas leaks well before the time they occur. However, one must always be aware and vigilant towards such things, including the sounds and smells that could cause havoc if not identified in time.

This is why natural gas has a distinctive smell. For safety reasons, we use additives in the gas that is used during the installations of heating systems. It gives odourless and colourless gases a scent that you just cannot miss. If a leak ever occurs, you will notice it by the smell and be aware of the leak immediately. When you identify the smell, you can describe it as a strong sulphur smell or a smell close to sewage.

Here are a few other ways to identify a gas leak –

1. The plants above the leaking gas pipe rot, and the patch is noticeable enough for you to figure out that something is wrong.
2. Focus on a hissing sound near your gas lines. When you hear a hiss-sound, there is a possible gas leak around. The higher the hissing, the more serious the gas leak. Call a professional to check the leak as soon as possible since hissing sounds are never a good sign.
3. During a gas leak, there is a substantial smell similar to how rotten eggs smell. Whenever you smell something that is uncontrollable for you to handle or is odd, immediately call a plumbing expert for further gas leak assistance.
4. Another way to tell if there is a gas leak is through the bubble test. The bubble test works in situations where there is pressurized gas like inner tubes, tires, propane tanks and more. Here is how you can perform the bubble test yourself –

• • Mix some dish soap in a large water container
  • Switch on the gas
  • Use a sponge (or cloth) and wipe down the entire area with the soap solution where you suspect a gas leak
  • If any bubbles form, it indicates a gas leak

An underground gas leak is identified when bubbles form in wet areas. Other signs include a presence of mist, fog or dirt in the air as soon as you wipe the affected area.

Overall, gas leaks are extremely hazardous. If you suspect a leak, the first thing you should do is open as many windows and doors as possible and get out of the area. Do not try to close the gas on your own, as that can lead to a spark. Get in touch with a trained professional to fix the leak for you and ensure that no electric appliances are used at any cost.

If you are in need of a professional service call us today.