Jerry’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is your local, go-to gas leak detection company. We’ve served homeowners throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties for over two decades with top-rated repairs and outstanding customer service. Whether you need gas leak repair or routine plumbing service, you can count on us.
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When to Call for Gas Leak Repair
Many homeowners in Santa Maria rely on gas to power appliances like water heaters, washing machines, and furnaces. And while most people use gas safely for years, there’s always a danger that something could go wrong, causing a disaster.
To protect your family and home, you must familiarize yourself with the signs of a gas leak so you can call for help immediately.
Here are the most common signs that signal a gas leak.
Rotten Egg Odor
Natural gas has no odor or color, so suppliers add a chemical that gives it its distinctive rotten egg or sulfur odor to alert people of leaks. If you smell this in your home, evacuate as soon as possible and call a gas leak detection company for help.
Dying Houseplants
Sometimes, a minor gas leak can’t be detected by odor, but there are other signs there might be a problem. As a leak continues, it removes oxygen in the house, which can cause your plants to suffer. If your otherwise healthy plants start dying for no apparent reason, it could be a gas leak that’s to blame.
Physical Symptoms
Exposure to carbon monoxide from gas leaks can cause physical symptoms like fatigue, nausea, weakness, and headaches. If these symptoms disappear when you’re out of the house, it could mean you have an undetected gas leak.
If you notice any of these signs, you must call a professional plumber to diagnose the problem and fix it.
How to Check for a Gas Leak
As mentioned, in most cases, your nose will alert you to the presence of a gas leak. However, that isn’t always the case, and you’ll have to use other methods.
Whistling Noise
If you hear a whistling noise near a gas line, it usually means there’s a leak.
Check the Stove
If you use a gas stove, turn on the burner and check the flame. A healthy flame should burn bright blue, which means there’s enough oxygen for proper combustion. However, if the flame is red, orange, or any other color, it usually means there’s a leak in the system.
Call a Gas Leak Detection Company
If you suspect that you have a gas leak but don’t know where it is, call a professional for help. Professional plumbers have advanced tools and years of experience to quickly identify gas leaks to keep you and your family safe.
You can rely on Jerry’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for expert drain cleaning.
What to Do if You Have a Gas Leak
Because gas can quickly spark into an explosive fire, it’s essential to know the warning signs of a gas leak. Even if you can’t smell a gas leak, there are still potential risks because not all gases have a smell or toxic fumes. Some adverse effects of a slow-leaking gas line include headaches, dizziness, or nausea. Other indicative signs are dead plants, a rotten egg smell, or a hissing sound. Because natural gas is a colorless, odorless gas, utility companies add methyl mercaptan or thiols for safety reasons to give it a distinctively putrid smell that most people assimilate to rotten eggs or sulfur.
Here are the steps you should take if you suspect a gas leak:
- Open all doors and windows.
- Call the qualified professionals at Jerry’s Plumbing at (800) 697-8875 who specialize in gas leak detection and repair.
- Call your local gas company. If unavailable, call your local fire department.
- Do NOT smoke; use any lighters, matches, appliances, or other electrical devices.
- Evacuate all members of the household or office, including pets.