In most residential and commercial properties in the United States, natural gas is a convenient energy source commonly used for drying clothes, cooking food, heating water, and other commercial purposes.
Natural gas is usually safe, but under particular occurrences, like improper installation or inaccurately maintained gas lines, gas leaks can become major problems for your health, home, and commercial spaces.
Identifying and repairing simple gas leaks is vital as it helps you be safe from danger. In this blog post, we will teach you about some examples of gases, when to call gas leak detection services and the threats of gas leaks.
What is a Natural Gas?
Natural gas is a fossil energy source from under the Earth’s surface. It contains different compounds, such as methane, non-hydrocarbon gases, and other natural gas liquids.
What is a Natural Gas Leak?
A natural gas leak occurs when equipment, specifically a gas line, leaks. The natural gas in the pipeline of the appliance seeps out and leaks into open areas.
It is more likely to happen when old exposed gas lines begin to wear down. The external material of the pipe erodes over time until minor hairline fractures occur.
What is Butane Gas?
Butane is a hydrocarbon. It is a highly flammable, colorless, odorless, and easily liquefied gas.
What is a Butane Gas Leak?
Butane is heavier than air and will sink. This means that if you’re storing butane gas, people exposed to it are at the most risk from breathing in a butane gas leak.
Like all gas, butane is safe if the proper storage precautions are taken. It would help if you tried to store your gas and butane gas-operated devices where possible and adequate ventilation meets lawful regulations.
What is Propane Gas?
Propane, liquefied petroleum gas or LPG, is a gas compressed and stored as a liquid. It is non-toxic, colorless, and virtually odorless.
What is a Propane Gas Leak?
Propane is highly flammable, with a high risk of explosion. If you suspect a propane leak in your premises, you mustn’t start any electrical equipment that might spark and capture light, especially avoiding naked flames.
What is Liquid Nitrogen Gas?
Liquid nitrogen gas is the liquefied form of nitrogen gas.
What is Liquid Nitrogen Leak?
Liquid nitrogen gas leaks can be deadly; odorless and invisible, they are easily missed. Luckily, liquid nitrogen is not combustible, so you don’t need to worry about an explosion due to a liquid nitrogen leak; however, it is an asphyxiant.
5 Signs that You Need to Call Gas Leak Detection Services
When You Smell Sulfur or Rotten Egg Smell
As most gases are colorless and odorless, gas companies usually use an additive called mercaptan in natural gas, so it has a distinct smell that can be identified for gas leak detection.
Most of the time, its odor smells like sulfur or rotten eggs. Its distinct scent can easily be detected in homes and commercial areas. If you smell this odor, it may be best to investigate the leak’s source and contact a professional gas leak detection services.
While waiting for the professionals to arrive, open all doors and windows to ventilate your home or business properly.
When You Hear a Whistling or Hissing Sound
If you hear a whistling or hissing noise, do not ignore it. Trust your instincts that there might be gas leaking. Be wary when you hear a whistling or hissing noise from your airconditioned units, dryers, gas range ovens, stoves, and other gas equipment.
Pay attention to where the noise comes from if you hear the hissing sound near your air-conditioning unit. It may also mean a substantial gas leak or a malfunctioning compressor. Contact a professional electrician, plumber, or gas leak detection services.
When There’s Gas in the Air
When you first turn on the burner, gas stoves typically give off a blue flame. If your gas range stove gives off orange or red flames, there may be gas in the air that’s taking away oxygen.
When Bubbles Appear in a Soapy Water Test
How does a soapy water test work? Stir a teaspoon of soap into a cup of water for a concentrated solution. After mixing, wet the area you suspect is leaking using a damp cloth or paper towel with the soap and water solution. When bubbles show up, it indicates gas escaping from that area.
Once you have confirmed that natural gas is detected in the air, you need to contact a professional or your trusted gas leak detection services immediately.
Use Your Gas Leak Detector
If you have a gas leak detector and its alarm has alerted you before a potentially hazardous situation arises. Gas leak detectors are the most effective way to determine if you have a gas leak. Call your gas leak detection services instantly when this happens.
5 Threats of Gas Leaks
Methane in natural gas can drive several problems for you, your family, or surrounding areas. And although natural gas is non-toxic, in particular situations, gas leaks can result in the following:
- When you inhale it, it may cause dizziness or asphyxiation. This happens when high concentrations of natural gases gather in confined spaces.
- Explosive mixtures can flare up when exposed to open air.
- To your crops, it may cause dead vegetation, garden, trees, flowers, and houseplants.
- Costly gas bills.
- Excessive and high-cost property damages.
How to Prevent Gas Leaks In Your House
Prevention is critical to saving lives and money. Routine gas line maintenance and yearly inspections can catch problems before they become more costly and pervasive.
You should also regularly maintain your furnaces, gas fireplaces, and stoves and check for corrosion on the gas lines. Having experts fix your problems is the best way to prevent a gas leak. Professionals will ensure that nobody is at risk when gas range appliances exist. When they inspect your home, they can also give you specific details on what to watch out for.
Professional detection services offer affordable gas line inspection services. Minor repairs and inspections are often less expensive than repairing a gas line after a full gas leak.