The smell of gas is not immediately detected by human senses, this is why many professionals encourage homeowners to install gas leak detection for homes. However, before you call a professional for help, there are some key methods to check if you have a gas leak.
How can you find there is a gas leakage
If you do not have a gas leak detector in your home, then you might need to find other ways to check for gas leaks. Before it can get complicated, always make sure to contact a professional. Try to catch the leak earlier so that you can deal with the issue quickly and safely. Here are a few key methods to detect a gas leakage in your home.
- Put your senses to the test
When there is a gas leak in your home, you will start smelling the scent of sulfur or rotten eggs around your appliances or the rooms.
The next thing you must search for is the hissing sound that comes from a leaking gas pipe. You can listen around for any weird sounds, it might be the gas escaping from its pipeline. Lastly, watch how your gas stove flames, if there are yellow or orange flames rather than blue then the gas is not combusting properly.
- Monitor the gas usage level
This step is pretty obvious.
Your gas bills can give you a hint if there are any problems with your gas pipes. Monitoring the gas usage can help you detect a gas leak on time.
If you are aware of how much your gas bills add up to each month, then an unusual level of gas usage in your home with no justifiable reason indicates that there is something wrong.
This method of detecting a gas leak is uncertain, however, it can be a good start for you to investigate whether you have a gas leak or not.
- Applying soapy water in your gas pipes
Finding a gas leak without a gas leak detector tool can be difficult. Gas escaping a pipe with just a hissing noise is not enough to confirm the exact location of the leak. Applying soapy to test your gas pipes is one way to detect if there are any gas leaks.
A cup of water and a spoonful of dishwashing soap will work perfectly fine to test a gas leak. When you apply the solution onto a functioning pipeline then there should be no change, but if there is a leak in the pipe then the solution will start bubbling indicating a leak.
What should you do after finding a gas leakage?
If you are aware of how much your gas bills add up to each month, then an unusual level of gas usage in your home with no justifiable reason indicates that there is something wrong.
This method of detecting a gas leak is uncertain, however, it can be a good start for you to investigate whether you have a gas leak or not.
- Applying soapy water in your gas pipes
Finding a gas leak without a gas leak detector tool can be difficult. Gas escaping a pipe with just a hissing noise is not enough to confirm the exact location of the leak. Applying soapy to test your gas pipes is one way to detect if there are any gas leaks.
A cup of water and a spoonful of dishwashing soap will work perfectly fine to test a gas leak. When you apply the solution onto a functioning pipeline then there should be no change, but if there is a leak in the pipe then the solution will start bubbling indicating a leak.
Do not attempt to fix the gas pipes without any experience. Depending on whether your gas leak is minor or major, your gas company or a licensed plumber can assist you to fix the issue.
When you detect a gas leak, there are some things that you must never do for your safety.
- Do not use a cell phone near the leak
- Do not open any electric doors or garage doors
- Do not turn light switches.
- Do not stay inside your house when you strongly smell the gas scent
- Do not smoke, light matches or have an open flame in the area.
- Do not use any type of dispersing fans to send the gases outside, by doing this you might ignite flames.
- Do not start your vehicle near the leak area.
Gas leaks are dangerous, poisonous and harmful for you and your family. When there is a gas leak, your local gas company will come in to check, test and repair the leak once they find it. Inspecting the area is important to avoid any future problems in your house.
Install a gas leak detector for gas leak detection
Gas detectors for homes are the best tools that are useful to keep you safe in case there is a gas leak in your house. It is reliable, quick to act and ensures that your family is safe before any catastrophe. Installing a gas leak detector is the best investment for your home along with a smoke detector, here are some gas leak detector tools that you must use at home:
Carbon Monoxide Detectors (CO detectors)
Carbon Monoxide is highly dangerous and poisonous, it doesn’t smell, taste or show any colour. It can be difficult to detect a CO leak which is why a detector is the best tool to use.
Natural Gas Leak Detectors
Compared to carbon monoxide, natural gas does not have a poisonous threat. You can detect natural gas leaks in your home with a scent similar to rotten eggs. It is easier to detect, which gives you time to react and act quickly as possible when you smell gas in your home.
Radon Gas Detectors
Carbon monoxide and radon gas are quite similar, they both do not show any colour or odour to detect any gas leaks easily. However, radon gas is much denser than air. Radon gas detectors help to detect gas leaks that are in the lowest levels of your property.
Chlorine Gas Detectors
Chlorine gas leaks are most common in industries and it is dangerous. If there are any leaks then the right precautions must be taken along with a cleanup kit. Exposure to chlorine gas can be extremely harmful.
As a homeowner, you must be educated more about gases and how to detect any gas leaks or issues in your property. Many professionals recommend asking important questions to be prepared and act quickly. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions by homeowners:
Can a gas leak cause a high gas bill?
Yes, one of the many ways to start investigating any gas leaks in your home is to keep an eye on your gas bills. When there is a leak or an issue the bills will change unexpectedly.
Can a gas meter show if there's some kind of leaking?
Yes, a gas meter will show if there are some gas leaks in your property. When you are suspicious of a gas leak, you can call a professional licensed plumber to check for any leaks. They will first monitor the meter with a tool named manometer to detect if there is an issue.
How to know the gas leak source in the kitchen?
When there is a gas leak in your kitchen, the first thing you will notice is the scent of rotten eggs in the room. If in case, you cannot smell the gas then you can use a soapy water solution and find the leak. Or if you have a gas detector installed in your home, then it will show exactly where the leak is coming from.
Do not attempt to further investigate your gas pipes in the kitchen before consulting a professional.
Should people open windows if they smell gas?
Yes, It is highly advised by professionals to open all the windows and doors in your house when you start smelling gas.
Is it okay to fix a leaking gas pipe with duct tape?
When you first detect the gas leak in your pipes, you can use duct tape to mark the spot until the professionals arrive to fix the issue. However,
duct tape cannot be used as a permanent repair for leaking gas pipes, the adhesive will dissolve.
How does a plumber find a gas leak?
- A professional plumber will start investigating every possible option before fixing anything. They start by following the smell of gas leaks in your home. Sniffing out the sulfur can help them find the gas leak.
- The next thing a professional will look for is the hissing sounds in the pipe, any unusual or weird sounds coming from your gas pipes will help the professional to detect the leak. The plumber closely listens to the sounds to check whether it is a gas leak or a plumbing issue.
- By inspecting the flames in the kitchen stove they can be sure that there is a gas leak in the area.
- With the help of technology and tools, professional plumbers can easily detect a gas leak with gas leak detectors including carbon monoxide alarms, explosive gas detectors, or natural gas detectors. Installing these tools in your house will be effective and beneficial for you.
Why should you hire a plumber to fix the gas leak?
- Safety is one of the main reasons why you must always contact a licensed plumber to check your gas pipes. A trained professional is fit to install and repair any gas leaks without causing any harm. Attempting to repair a gas leak can cause immediate danger or long term problems for your property.
- A licensed professional has the experience, expertise and knowledge to fix, repair or install gas pipes in your homes. They will ensure that you and your family are safe by protecting your property and fixing the issue.
- A professional plumber will know exactly what kind of materials and pipelines to use when they are doing repairs on your property.
- It may be required by the law or codes to hire a professional licensed plumber when it comes to repairing, installing or detecting any gas leaks in the property.
What are the reasons for installing a new gas pipe?
There are many reasons why you need to install a new gas pipe. We have listed some of the most common reasons why homeowners install a new gas pipe on their property.
- Installing a new gas pipeline to update the existing one.
- Replacing the old one with a new one or replacing an appliance.
- If the gas pipe has been damaged.
- When constructing a new gas line.
- If the owner is building a new structure in the property.
- When switching from using oil to gas-powered appliances.
Whatever the reason maybe it is best that you take the safety precautions necessary and contact a professional plumber to fix, repair or install gas pipes.
