Natural gas is the most popular fuel source among homeowners in El Paso, TX, so you likely use it in your home. However, while natural gas is generally safe, damaged gas lines can lead to gas leaks that can be devastating. Therefore, it’s essential to keep up with gas line maintenance to ensure your gas lines are working properly and improve safety in your home.
Gas Line Maintenance
Your natural gas provider is responsible for maintaining public gas lines. But as a homeowner, you’re responsible for maintaining all the gas lines running throughout your home. However, this doesn’t mean you should perform DIY gas line maintenance. Instead, you should always hire a professional to handle gas line issues.
Professionals are certified and licensed to inspect, repair, and replace your residential gas lines, so you can rest easy they’ll tackle any gas line problems.
Signs of a Gas Leak in Your Home
Gas leaks can be dangerous if not detected early. If you suspect there’s a gas leak in your home, here are some tell-tale signs that you have one.
Foul Odor
Natural gas doesn’t have a scent. However, if you smell a sulfur smell similar to the smell of rotten eggs, you may have a leaking gas line.
Hissing Sounds
Listen out for any hissing sounds near gas appliances. Hissing sounds usually indicate gas escaping from the pipe and are a sure sign of a gas leak.
White Haze Next to the Gas Line
Look for a cloud of grey dust or hazy air near your gas line. It may indicate that gas is escaping the line before it gets to your appliances.
Declining Health
A leaking gas line can make you or your family members feel ill. Some common symptoms you or a family member may experience include:
- Dizziness
- Exhaustion
- Headache
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Respiratory infections
Contact a plumber to inspect your gas line immediately should you or a family member suffer from these symptoms.
Declining Houseplants
Besides affecting humans, gas leaks can also be detrimental to plant health. Sudden plant death may indicate there’s a gas leak in your home.
High Gas Bills
If you notice an unusual spike in your gas bill, it could indicate you have a gas leak in your home.
Schedule Gas Line Maintenance
Gas leaks can happen anytime, meaning there’s no best time to schedule gas line maintenance. If you come across any signs of a gas leak in your home, don’t ignore them. Contact Choice Plumbing USA for a gas line inspection. We’ve served residents of El Paso, TX, and surrounding areas for over a decade, and our plumbers are licensed and experienced to tackle any gas line problems they encounter.
