Natural gas is a convenient form of energy that allows homeowners to cook food on stove tops and heat their water. Safety issues arise, however, when the natural gas is improperly installed or maintained, resulting in a dangerous gas leak. Thankfully, there are ways to detect a leak if it occurs, in order to save yourself from fire or any other kinds of damages like smoke and soot.

What is Natural Gas?

A fossil fuel energy source, natural gas is a product of the remains of plants and animals from millions to hundreds of millions of years ago. Their hydrogen-rich remnants transform as a result of the earth’s pressure and heat, becoming coal, petroleum, or natural gas.

Companies today drill down into the earth to reach the deposits of natural gas. Through the process of fracking, which releases natural gas from sedimentary rock formations, gas flows up from wells and to the surface. The natural gas is collected and sent through pipelines to gas processing plants.

Why is a Natural Gas Leak Dangerous?

Gas leaks are dangerous to a home’s occupants due to the risk of asphyxiation or even death. High concentrations of natural gas in confined spaces send nearly 50,000 Americans to the emergency room each year for accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Gas leaks are also highly explosive, as the vapors are flammable. The gas can combust when it is in the presence of various sources of ignition, including an open flame. An uncontrollable fire can erupt, putting the home’s occupants in harm’s way.

How Do Gas Leaks Happen?

Gas leaks occur for numerous reasons. After natural disasters, like hurricanes or tornadoes, gas lines can become damaged and leak. The pipes might rupture during a move, construction, or a remodeling project. Especially in older homes, aged or corroded gas pipes can leak.

Aged appliances are also common reasons that gas leaks occur. Valves corrode or the hoses and pipes undergo wear and tear, leading to leaks. Appliances that are poorly installed by individuals without the requisite skills or knowledge can result in gas leaks in the home.

 Can You Smell a Gas Leak?

Protecting the health and safety of occupants requires that homeowners look for signs of a gas leak. Since natural gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, this can be a difficult task. But natural gas companies add mercaptan, a harmless chemical that smells like rotten eggs, to gas.

How is a Gas Leak Detected?

Gas leaks are a significant hazard in homes, much like other common household dangers. The leaks can be detected through various methods, primarily relying on the senses, technology, or a combination of both:

Smell of Rotten Eggs

The mercaptan’s distinct and foul odor helps people detect natural gas coming through the pipelines. Upon smelling this sulfur-like odor inside their home or in the garage, homeowners can be certain that a gas leak is present. Seeing a white cloud in standing water can also signal a potential problem.

Hissing Sounds

Other signs of a natural gas leak include hearing hissing or whistling sounds. The gas line may emit noise. Homeowners who know where the gas pipe is should focus on listening for unusual sounds. However, relying only on auditory cues is not entirely reliable.

Visible Damage to Gas Pipe

The gas line connection may be damaged when a natural gas leak occurs. A hole or a crack may appear in the pipe, through which the natural gas escapes and produces the hissing sounds. In such cases, turn off the gas line and notify the utility company.

Dead Plants

Houseplants that are well-cared for can be revealing when a gas leak occurs. As the oxygen levels drop and the level of natural gas increases, healthy houseplants may suddenly perish. The vegetation dies as their roots become poisoned by the natural gas.

Health Symptoms

During a gas leak, pets, children, people with asthma, and older adults may be the first to show symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. They may lose consciousness upon breathing in extremely high levels of natural gas. Without immediate medical attention, death can result.

Electronic Instruments

If you suspect a doubt and hire professionals, they may utilize electronic sensors to detect gas concentrations in the air. These instruments provide precise readings and can locate leaks even in small amounts.

Gas Utility Inspection

Gas companies routinely inspect their infrastructure for leaks using specialized equipment like leak survey vehicles or handheld devices.

Natural Gas Leak Detector

The most dependable way to detect a gas leak inside the home is to use a natural gas leak detector. A wide range of options are available to the homeowner, including those that measure gas levels and sound an alarm when a gas leak is detected. Homeowners should be proactive, routinely inspecting the home and maintaining appliances that use gas, including the furnace, stove, fireplace, and various equipment. Spaces that are exposed to natural gas, such as around the generator, should be adequately ventilated to prevent issues.

Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Detect Natural Gas?

No, carbon monoxide detectors do not detect natural gas. Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are designed specifically to sense the presence of carbon monoxide gas, which is colorless, odorless, and tasteless.

Natural gas, on the other hand, primarily consists of methane and may contain small amounts of other gases like propane, butane, ethane, and carbon dioxide. Natural gas typically has an odorant added to it, such as mercaptan, to give it a distinctive smell that helps detect leaks.

To detect natural gas leaks, specialized natural gas detectors or sensors are needed. These devices are designed to detect the specific chemicals present in natural gas and can alert individuals to the presence of a leak before it becomes hazardous. It’s important to have both carbon monoxide detectors and natural gas detectors installed in appropriate areas of your home for safety. Also having a right smoke detector is important so, you don’t miss out such alarms.

How to Check for Gas Leak with Soapy Water?

This is the best DIY approach of using soapy water is a simple yet effective method for detecting gas leaks. Here’s how it works:

1. Prepare the Soapy Water Solution: Mix a small amount of dish soap or liquid detergent with water in a spray bottle or bowl. The solution should be about 50% water and 50% soap.
2. Turn Off Gas Appliances: Before you begin, confirm that all gas appliances in your home are turned off, including stoves, water heaters, and furnaces. Also, extinguish any open flames or sources of ignition.
3. Locate the Gas Lines: Identify the areas where gas lines are present. These may include connections to appliances, gas meters, and gas pipes running along walls or floors.
4. Apply the Soapy Water: Spray or apply the soapy water solution onto the areas where you suspect a gas leak. Focus on joints, connections, and valves. If you don’t have a spray bottle, you can use a brush or sponge to apply the solution.
5. Watch for Bubbles: As the soapy water comes into contact with the gas leak, it will form bubbles. These bubbles indicate the presence of escaping gas. Pay close attention to any bubbles forming around fittings, valves, or joints.
6. Take Precautions: If you detect a gas leak, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Turn off the gas supply to your home immediately and contact your gas utility provider or a qualified professional to repair the leak.
7. Repeat if Necessary: If you don’t find any leaks initially, but you still suspect a problem, you can repeat the process in different areas or at different times when gas appliances are in use.

Call 911 In Case of Fire

If you smell gas and suspect a fire risk, get out of the building right away and take everyone with you to a safe spot outside. Don’t use any phones or electronics nearby. Call 911 as soon as you’re outside to report the gas leak. Give them clear details about where you are and what’s happening so they can send help quickly. Stay outside until emergency services arrive and make sure not to go back inside until it’s safe.

Once they extinguish the flames, consult a reputable fire damage cleanup service provider to return your fire damaged property to its pre-loss state.

Fire Damage Restoration Services

Highly trained technicians arrive promptly to begin the restoration process. Upon evaluating the damage, they stabilize the property and perform repairs. Soot and smoke are cleaned. Water damage mitigation is usually necessary after the fire hoses introduce moisture into the property.

Fire damage can leave behind foul smoke odors, which porous furnishings and structural materials absorb. Professional crews thoroughly deodorize the home so that optimum air quality is restored. We also provide reconstruction services to rebuild materials damaged by the flames.

Whether your fire damage emergency is due to a natural gas leak or any other cause, fire damage restoration professionals are prepared to restore your property quickly so that you can get back to your routine. These technicians are equipped and trained to handle every phase of the fire damage cleanup.