Whenever a gas line leak happens inside or outside of your home, it is an emergency situation that can endanger the lives of you and your family if you do not take it seriously.  Whenever you detect a gas line leak in or outside of your home, you need to gather your family and leave your home and get within a safe distance away from the house. As you exit the home, leave the door open to allow gas to escape if the leak is coming from inside of your home. Once you are a safe distance away, call 911 and your gas provider. Once the authorities have declared that it is safe to return to your home.

Luckily, gas line leaks are not that common of an occurrence. However, as gas leak of any size should never be ignored and you should immediately seek help in resolving it. Gas operated equipment such as furnaces and hot water heaters should receive annual maintenance and inspections to ensure the safety of you and your family.

Before you ever start on outdoor projects that will require excavation and you are not certain where your gas lines are located, you will need to contact your gas supplier, or dial 811 and request that they mark the location of the gas lines. Additionally, if you do accidentally damage a gas line, do not attempt to repair it. Vacate the vicinity immediately, once at a safe distance contact 911, your supplier and Benjamin Franklin plumbers for their assistance in gas line repair.

Gas Leak Safety Tips

  • If you smell nature gas, gather your family members and leave the home immediately. Once you are at a safe distance from your home, leaving the doors open behind you, contact 911 and your natural gas supplier. The tiniest spark can ignite the gas and cause an explosion. Do not use any appliances, electronics, or even flip switches. Once it is determined that it is safe to return to the home, contact Benjamin Franklin plumbers in Arlington, Texas for help.
  • Whenever you use gas logs in your chimney, if the gas logs are not vent free you will need to open the chimney flue in order to allow the carbon monoxide to escape.
  • Never place combustible containers or other materials near gas appliances. This includes items such as paper, plastic, kerosene, boxes or other items that could be combustible. As a good rule of thumb never place anything near gas appliances.
  • Do not attempt to heat your home or dry clothes by turning on your gas stove. Whenever you do use your gas stove, ensure that the exhaust fan is on to help ventilate and remove the carbon monoxide.
  • Do not place space heaters or any type of heater directly on carpet, tile or linoleum. Space heaters require a metal pad beneath them to ensure your safety from a possible fire. You should also leave enough clearance between a space heater and other objects and walls, there should be a minimal amount of 4 feet on all sides or as directed by the manufacturer.
  • Whenever you use an unvented gas space heater, you need adequate ventilation of fresh air to help mitigate the carbon monoxide gas.
  • Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and replace heaters with vented models for the safety of yourself and your family. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, you can succumb to the deadly effects of it without any warning whatsoever if you do not have working carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Gas appliances should produce a bright blue flame. If yours is producing orange or yellow flames, this indicates that there is a problem.

What are the Symptoms to Gas Exposure?

There are many symptoms due to the exposure of natural gas. The symptoms can vary from person to person, while some may experience only a few, and others may experience different symptoms than the other. However, common symptoms related to natural gas poisoning are as follows:

  • Chest Pain
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Seizures
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Loss of Conscious

Do I Need Gas Line Replacement?

Like all things, the fittings for your gas line will eventually wear out and deteriorate. When this happens, it can result in gas leaks. Frequent moving of an appliance as with a stove to clean underneath and behind it can damage these fittings and the gas line.  Generally, plumbers recommend that you have gas lines and their fittings replaced every ten years. Get in touch with Ben Franklin Plumbing for gas line installation and maintenance service.

About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, TX

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, TX provides professional plumbing in Arlington, TX servicing Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Our experienced, courteous and friendly plumbers provide on time plumbing related services to not only Arlington but surrounding areas also. If you are in need of a professional plumber that you can count on for plumbing repairs, maintenance and / or installation then you can count on us at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas.

Ben Franklin Plumbing is a leader in the field for plumbing related repairs. We are also one of the most trusted plumbing service brands in the industry with high standards of service that you can rely on. When you contact us you can rest assured knowing that you are receiving the best plumbing in Arlington, Texas.  Our commitment to service and excellence is reflected in our stone solid A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. If you have a plumbing related problem in your home or business and you need help, do not hesitate to contact us today. Our professional, courteous and friendly plumbers will be more than happy to assist you and answer any of your questions and schedule an appointment with you to assess the plumbing related problem and resolve it at your earliest convenience. Give Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas a call today if you are looking for professional plumbing in Arlington, Texas. If there’s any delay, it’s you we pay®