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Understanding Gas Lines

The gas line leading to your Haslet, TX home is critical for your plumbing and heating systems. If your gas line is not properly maintained, the result may be a leak. This presents a serious risk for your safety. If you believe you may require gas line repair, do not risk attempting to make the repairs yourself because this can be dangerous. Your best option is calling a professional for gas line repair. The signs of a gas leak include:

• The most common sign of a gas leak is an odor similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. You may feel fatigued, nauseous or dizzy. You may also hear a clanging or hissing noise. If any of these signs are present, you need to call a professional.
• If you have any gas appliances in your Haslet, TX home, they may not be operating correctly or be making unusual noises. This may indicate a gas leak.
• You may notice damaged or dying vegetation on your property. Dead grass is often an indication of a gas leak. You need to call a professional.
• A leak in your home’s gas line can result in unusually high monthly gas bills. You may even have documentation showing you have had issues with your gas line in the past.

Whether the issue is minor, major or somewhere in between, a professional will locate the problem. Your gas line repair will be completed safely and efficiently. The problem will be repaired before the leak can become any worse.

The Causes of Gas Leaks

In most instances, a gas leak results from incorrectly installed, misused or faulty appliances, new appliances not installed professionally or broken or old appliances. A leak can also result from broken or faulty gas lines or pipes. Human error is the most common cause such as failing to shut off the connection when a gas appliance is moved or leaving your stove on. Gas line repairis important to make certain everything is working correctly. This will ensure everything is operating efficiently and eliminate safety risks. The least expensive and most common type of energy used for residential homes is natural gas. Natural gas is extremely efficient and safe.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of natural gas, and can potentially be harmful. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that can be dangerous if inhaled. The chances are good you will be unable to detect carbon monoxide without help because it is colorless and odorless. If you have been exposed, you may develop symptoms similar to the flu. If you experience these symptoms, get immediate medical attention, and call a professional. There are steps you can take to decrease your risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. This includes:

• Install multiple carbon dioxide detectors in different areas of your home.
• Do not leave your home without shutting off your gas oven.
• Inspect your flues, vents, and chimneys for all gas fireplaces, furnaces, and water heaters to ensure there is good ventilation for exhaust.
• Make certain there is good ventilation prior to sleeping in a room with a kerosene or gas space heater.

Gas Line Leaks

Many of the homes in Haslet, TX use gas for efficient and clean heating. A leaking gas line can result in serious issues. When natural gas builds up in an enclosed area, you can become ill. In some instances, the result may be an explosion. Prior to doing any digging on your property, call your local utility company so your gas lines can be marked. If you believe you may have a gas line leak and require gas line repair, take the following steps.

• Shut off all of the gas valves for your home.
• Move a safe distance away from the potential gas leak prior to using your cell phone.
• Do not use any electric appliances.
• Do not try to find the gas leak.
• Do not use any open flames or smoke.
• If you damage a gas line while digging, do not try to make any gas line repair. Call your local utility company immediately.

You can prevent gas leaks simply by scheduling a gas line inspection every year. Natural gas lines should only be installed or replaced by licensed professionals. Flexible gas lines are an excellent option but should be inspected on a regular basis by a professional. Defective or damaged lines are serious. This can have a negative impact on the health of your family and the condition of your home. Ensuring your gas lines are maintained properly is incredibly important to prevent your landscaping and home appliances from being damaged. Professional gas line repair will also prevent further damage.

A professional in Haslet, TX can locate gas leaks and inspect your valves. These professionals have been trained to spot the smallest details for potential gas leaks. The professional will check for any of the following signs.

Checking Senses: Professionals understand the importance of their senses. They will look for any bad smells, specific sounds, or signs of a gas leak. If you have any reason to believe there may be a gas leak in your home, the best way to remain safe is to have the potential issue checked by a trained professional. A gas leak requires professional gas line repair.

Checking the Appliances: A professional will check any gas appliances both inside and outside of your home. The professional will ask you if any of your gas appliances have not been operating correctly because this may be a sign of a gas leak. A professional will look for any damaged connections to your gas appliances. In some cases, a portion of the gas line will become visible. This is one of the easiest ways to find a gas leak.

The Equipment and Tools: Professionals in Haslet, TX have equipment and tools you most likely do not have access to. This enables them to detect numerous issues such as carbon monoxide. If you have a gas leak in your home, a professional will locate the leak quickly and efficiently while ensuring your safety. Proper gas line repair is critical for your safety.

Checking the Surroundings: A professional will check the surrounding for physical signs of a gas leak. This includes dying or dead vegetation in the areas around your gas lines. Leaking gas will damage your plants. This is a clear sign gas line repair is necessary. The professional will inspect your windows for gas condensation. This is another sign you have a gas leak. If you do not have the gas leak repaired, the exterior of your home and your landscaping may be damaged.

History of Gas Leaks: The professional will ask you if you have previously experienced gas leaks in your home. If the leaks were in the same line, you should have this line checked more often. The professional will ask you if you have seen an unexplained spike in your utility bills. A damaged gas line will result in using more gas than necessary. Professional gas line repair will eliminate the unexpected spike, and save you money on future bills.

The Best Options for Having Your Gas Leak Repaired

Yes, there are numerous different ways you can look for a gas leak in or around your home. The issue is locating a gas leak requires both training and experience. If you take too long to call a professional, the result will be additional problems and a greater expense. A Haslet, TX professional will locate the gas leak and seal it. Timely action can prevent your appliances and vegetation from being damaged. Although it may appear obvious, it is critical to call a professional if you believe there may be a gas leak in or around your home.

If you smell an odor of rotten eggs or receive a much larger gas bill than usual, do not make the assumption the issue will disappear by itself. If you try to make the repair yourself, decide to wait to have the issue checked or decide any leak is most likely minor, the result will be an even larger gas leak. Not only can this lead to substantial damage to your property, but you are also risking a potential explosion and your family sustaining serious injuries. Calling a professional for gas line repair is the best way to protect both your family and your home.

The average homeowner should not attempt to make any repairs by themselves. Repairs require specific training and knowledge. If you make a mistake, you can cause a lot of damage to your property and place your family at risk. Every homeowner should know the potential signs of a gas leak. This information is incredibly important. Understanding the signs will enable you to call for a professional gas line repair quickly whenever necessary.

Locating a Professional for Gas Line Repair

Your first step is calling a professional. Ensuring the company, you call is qualified can be difficult. Your best option is the following tips.

• Perform a little research. Check with the Better Business Bureau to determine the rating of the company. Ask for and check all references. Make certain the company has a website and a physical address.
• Hire only a licensed technician or plumber. Obtain proof the company has a license to perform work on natural gas lines. Make certain the license is valid by checking with the state’s plumbing or licensing board.
• Consider finding a plumbing professional with a specialty in gas line repair. These professionals are highly experienced because they work with gas lines on a daily basis. The professional knows what steps to take to ensure your safety.
• Always obtain multiple quotes so you can compare prices prior to making a choice. Any suspiciously low or high bids should be thrown away. A low bid is an indication the company is cutting corners. This may place your safety at risk.

Gas Line Maintenance

Issues with your gas lines are dangerous. This is the reason annual maintenance is necessary. Using a maintenance service is highly recommended. To understand the importance, you need to know what the result may be if you do not have maintenance performed. The odor of gas is strong, and breathing gas is difficult. You may hear gas escaping from your line when you have a leak. Make certain everyone is out of your home prior to calling a professional. Either use a neighbors phone or ensure you are not near your home prior to using your cell phone.

You should not use your lights if you have a gas leak. A gas leak presents the risk of an explosion or fire. One of the most common concerns is carbon monoxide poison. You will most likely not notice the leak because carbon monoxide has no smell or color. A professional can check for carbon monoxide with a special tool. The only way to eliminate the risk is to have your gas line repaired. Annual maintenance service can completely prevent this issue. A maintenance professional will service a lot more than your gas stove. They also check any appliance using either propane or natural gas.

As your appliances age, the pipe seal can become weakened. This can result in a gas leak. Some appliances ignite the gas through the use of a spark. If you have a gas leak, these appliances will not operate correctly. If you forget to turn off the gas to the appliance, gas can escape into your home. Gas travels into your home through piping located beneath your house. Once enough time has passed, the seals on these pipes often become faulty. This will enable gas to escape and enter your home.

If you believe you may have a gas leak or require an annual inspection, do not wait. Call the professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing as soon as possible.