Do You Smell Gas?
Gas leaks not only increase your energy costs, but they can also be deadly. While large gas leaks are easily identifiable by a strong odor, smaller leaks may go unnoticed, adding to your indoor air pollution. Plus, they have several adverse health effects, including headaches, respiratory problems, nausea, headaches, and more. So, it’s no wonder why every household should take this seriously. Here’s what causes gas leaks, how to detect them, and the actionable steps to take.
What Causes Gas Leaks?
The most common causes of a gas leak are improper installation, lack of maintenance, and poorly fitted appliances. For example, gas connectors are not a substitute for gas piping. So, if you see two connectors joined together, the unit’s install is incorrect. For any concerns about gas piping in your home or to ensure the correct amount of gas is delivering to the unit, we recommend calling a high quality licensed plumber. In addition, don’t tap into a gas source or you may run into additional issues.
How to Check for Gas Leaks
Rotten Egg Smell
There are a few ways to determine if you have a gas leak. The most obvious one is a foul odor. To make it easier to detect gas leaks, utility companies add Mercaptan, a compound that contains sulfur. This valuable safety feature gives the naturally colorless and odorless gases a smell that’s hard to ignore.
Bubble Test
For a DIY solution, apply a soap and water bubble solution to each connection in the gas lines. If bubbles form, make sure the pipe and flare fittings are sealed. Use pipe dope and then wrap the pipe in Teflon tape to ensure a good seal on your pipe fitting, and that if needed it will come apart again. Do not use sealant on flare fittings.
Combustible Gas Leak Detector
A more sophisticated way to detect a gas leak in your house is using a combustible gas leak detector. These easy-to-use testers provide audible and visual alarms in the presence of methane, propane, natural gas and other combustible gases at high concentrations.
Hire an Expert
The most surefire way to determine whether or not you have a gas leak is to hire an expert to repair, maintain, and service. The unit should have a long enough power and gas source, so the unit can be pulled out and serviced properly. If these sources aren’t long enough, your appliance is not up to code.
Did You Find a Gas Leak? Here’s what to do
If you detect a heavy gas leak, vacate all household members and pets from the property and call Dominion Energy or iFiX directly. We recommend opening all windows and avoiding using any lighters, matches, or other home appliances.
Contact iFiX in Northern Utah for Your Gas Appliances
At iFiX, LLC, we are licensed with the Rocky Mountain Gas Association, RMGA, to service any and all kitchen and laundry gas appliances. We can precisely find and repair any gas leaks or malfunctions. If you have any question or concerns, give us a call at iFiX today. We would be more than happy to address your concerns as well as cover any other appliance repair questions you may have.
