Gas Leaks: What Are The Risks and What Can You Do About It?

Gas is a remarkably safe fuel source when handled correctly. But leaks do still happen, and it’s important that you know how to identify when there is a problem. Read on here to learn more!

Before we dive in, if you believe you have anything more than a minor leak to deal with, get outside and get in touch with professionals immediately.

In this article, we’re going to talk a bit about where you might expect to find a gas leak in your home and what risks are involved.

 

Identifying a Gas Leak

First, let’s take a quick look at identifying gas leaks.

When there is a big leak, smell will be the first thing you notice. But lower volume leaks can fly under the radar in some households. Often, it’ll be things like wilting plants, hissing or whistling sounds near gas lines that let you know you have a problem. If you have noticed anything like this, it’s important that you act fast to resolve the problem.

We’re all familiar with the smell of gas. But what you might not know is that the gas we use to cook and heat our homes doesn’t actually have a smell or taste all on its own. What you’re actually smelling is a harmless compound called Mercaptan, this is added to the gas we use to make it easier to detect leaks by the smell of rotten eggs or cabbage.

 

 

The Health Risks Associated with A Gas Leak 

Mild exposure to gas for a brief period poses virtually no risk to an otherwise healthy person. But there certainly are risks associated with prolonged exposure that you should be aware of. In enclosed spaces, a gas leak can induce symptoms of hypoxia. These symptoms include fatigue, light-headedness, nausea and flu-like symptoms that are all commonly reported in cases where there has been a severe gas leak.

 

 

Financial Risks of a Gas Leak

Beyond posing a risk to our health, a gas leak can be bad for the wallet too. Gas tends to be a pretty cost-effective way to fuel the home – but an undetected leak can change that completely. If you’ve noticed an unexpected jump in your gas bill, or checked your meter to see that your usage has spiked, you will want to check your home to see if there are any gas leaks that are pumping unused gas out into the air. If you’re unsure as to where to find your meter, or how to read the meter itself, you can learn more in our blog Do You Know What Your Gas and Water Meter Looks Like?

 

 

Get in Touch with Expert Plumbing & Gas Services

If you’re at all in doubt, we encourage you to get in touch with us or your local gas plumbing experts immediately. It’s essential that you don’t prolong your exposure to gas, and that you get a qualified professional in to establish the source of the leak and resolve the problem.

You can reach out today by calling (03) 9486 5907 or leaving an enquiry via our contact form.