A gas leak in the house, workplace, or in any building can result in drastic consequences. If you are absolutely certain of a gas leak in a place and where it might be coming from then it is advisable to call for a gas line repair in Fort Worth, TX immediately unless measures are already in place to take care of the situation.
It is said that in the past three years, there have been more than a 1000 injuries and 31 deaths due to incidents that were related to a gas leak. In order to prevent such situations where gas can harm human lives, it is important to get gas line repair in Fort Worth, TX before it is too late.
What causes a gas leak?
Piping that is defective
Gas is supplied from the outside and to your house through a piping system that allows the gas to travel to where it might be required, e.g. for cooking, heating, and lighting, etc. If you have been living in a place for quite a long time without a gas line repair in Fort Worth, TX, then your piping system can get old and affected. The pipe can even break or cause leakage for gas to enter the home.
Ventilation is not up to par
It is not just natural gas or propane gas that can leak into different parts of the house, it can also be carbon dioxide. The leakage of carbon dioxide can be due to exhaust fans that can malfunction or if the place has ventilation that is poor.
Items that use propane and natural gas for heat, many of them comprise of carbon dioxide as their by-product. This gas that might be produced as a resulting consequence but can be vented off by means of an exhaust fan or chimney.
Carbon monoxide can leak into places in case of a clogging in the chimneys. Where natural gas and propane have a unique odor, there is no smell when it comes to carbon dioxide. If inhaled in large quantity, it can lead to tiredness and even for the affected person to fall asleep, who in extreme cases may never wake up. That is why it is important to prevent such situations from happening and get a gas line repair in Fort Worth, TX at the right time.
Household appliances
Whether it is stoves in the kitchen, fireplaces in the study or sitting room, water heaters, dryers, or any other household appliances, they might make use of propane or natural gas to create heat. If these appliances are being used for a very long time and have become old, then it is possible that seals used for connecting the piping can corrode without a gas line repair in Fort Worth, TX. This in turn may lead to gas leakage.
Laundry machines, stoves, and other appliances of the like that for the purpose of igniting the gas use a spark, can become defective and may not ignite the gas.
Gas can also leak into the house if someone who has used the stove or any other appliance that uses gas, forgets to turn the knob off. This can lead gas to escape into the house. It is preferable to thoroughly check that the knobs are off when not in use, especially when you are done cooking or done using the appliance.
Detecting a gas leak
Regular inspection and maintenance of gas lines and getting the necessary gas line repair in Fort Worth, TX will prevent leakage of gas. The following signs can help you determine a possible gas leak:
1. Dead vegetation
Plants can help you indicate a possible gas leak. If you have plants above the site of gas lines and you notice a dead vegetation patch there, then there might be a gas leak below. You are in need of immediate gas line repair in Fort Worth, TX.
2. You smell something similar to a rotten egg odor or sulfur
Unless it is actually a rotten egg that you are smelling, you might have a possible gas leak if a similar smell is hanging in the air. This might also call for a gas line repair in Fort Worth, TX. Propane and natural gas, which are otherwise colorless and odorless, contain mercaptan that is added to the gases by utility companies. This gives these gases a smell you might find hard to miss in the case of a gas leak. Most people classify that smell into resembling that of rotten eggs, sulfur, and even sewage.
3. The air has become foggy or you see white mist
A cracked gas line that has been neglected gas line repair in Fort Worth, TX can cause fogging in the affected place or even a cloud of mist to form that might seem unusual.
4. Perform a bubble test
In order to identify a gas leak and determine whether you need gas line repair in Fort Worth, TX perform a quick bubble test:
In a large container of water mix a small amount of dish soap. Turn the gas on. With the help of a sponge or cloth, wipe the area suspected to have a gas leak. If you see bubbles forming, then you have a gas leak.
You may also see bubbles forming in areas that are damp around the house that might indicate a gas leak underground.
Possible symptoms caused by a gas leak
A gas leak can be a health risk and the less oxygen you breathe, there are chances you might experience symptoms that may be abrupt and unexplained. These symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, irritation in the eye and throat, fatigue, if you are having problems breathing, pale skin or blisters that only emerge when your skin has made contact with compressed or liquid gas.
Gas that is burnt incompletely can release carbon monoxide which can be dangerous for your health.
If you are in need of a gas leak repair, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.