Need-to-Know on a Natural Gas Leak

The American Gas Association says that more than 177 million Americans rely on natural gas. If you are one of them and your home uses natural gas on a regular basis, educate yourself on all aspects of it. Natural gas can be harmful if inhaled or exposed for long periods of time. A natural gas leak has a very distinct smell of rotten eggs or sulfur, if you smell this in your home call a professional to get the issue fixed immediately.

If you think your home experiences a natural gas leak call your gas supplier to have them check it out. Sometimes they can fix the issue or they will administer a red tag where you will need to get outside help to fix. Typically if it is a large issue an HVAC professional will be called but the gas company will first turn off the gas supply. Once a professional has fixed the gas leak, you can notify your gas supplier to ensure it has been fixed and return the gas on.

Things to Know About a Natural Gas Leak

• Open all doors and windows. You do not want to trap the gas inside the house if you are concerned about a leak. Be sure to air out your room or home where the leak occurs. Exposure to gas has a negative effect on the health of the residents.
• Dead or discolored landscape. If dead plants are around the gas pipelines there could be a good chance you are experiencing a gas leak. Of course dying plants are just part of nature but exposure to a gas leak will discolor and kill the plants faster.
• Bubbles in standing water. There should be no movement in standing water. If there are bubbles in standing water that is a sign of a gas leak.