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More than 64 million homes in the United States are heated by natural gas.
And any time there is natural gas, there is the threat of a leak.
If your home heat runs on natural gas, it’s important to be aware of the signs of a leak that you need to watch out for. Keep reading to learn 5 telltale signs of a gas leak so that you can take action right away.
1. The Stench of Rotten Eggs
Perhaps the easiest way to figure out how to tell if there is a gas leak is to watch out for a foul smell.
Natural gas is actually scentless. But a harmless chemical is added to the gas in order to give it a scent that is similar to that of rotten eggs.
This is done to make it fast and easy to detect a leak. Whether the smell is strong or faint, if you smell rotten eggs, you’ll know it’s a gas leak smell.
2. Hissing Sound
Natural gas leaking through a small break in the line will cause a hissing sound.
While this sound may be faint, it can signal that a leak is present. This is one good sign to look for after you’ve noticed a slight smell or other unclear evidence of a leak.
3. Dying Plants
Detecting a natural gas leak outside of your home can be tough. In the open air, it can be tough to hear a hiss or smell the gas.
But another sure sign that natural gas is leaking out is dead plants around the site of the leak. If plants seem to be dying only in one part of your yard and not in another, it may mean that they are close to a leak in your pipes.
4. Bubble Test
A quick way to make your own home gas leak detector is to fill a squirt bottle with water and a splash of dish soap.
Spritz the soap and water solution on the area of pipe that you think might have a leak. If bubbles form on the pipe, it means that you have found your leak.
If you notice bubbles forming in areas of your home that normally have water and moisture present, this can also signify a leak.
5. Higher Gas Bills
A small, slow leak can be tough to spot. But over time, all that gas leaking out is going to cost you.
If your natural gas bill is relatively the same month after month, and then you suddenly start noticing it increase, it could mean that you have a leak somewhere in the line.
What to do When You Suspect You Have a Gas Leak
Gas leaks in your home can be extremely dangerous.
Because natural gas is so combustible, a simple spark can send it up in flames. Natural gas can also emit carbon monoxide when it doesn’t burn off properly. This can lead to a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you suspect that you may have a gas leak in your home, it’s important to get help right away. Contact us right away for gas leak detection and repair 24/7.