The smell of gas is not something you want to wake up to in the morning, the last thing you need is someone feeling like some essentials and aromatics with their bath and wanting to light candles and suddenly the house looks like a bonfire night gone wrong, no thank you.
Contrary to popular belief and what they show in the movies gas does not have a smell per se and rather than finding the problem later rather than sooner, gas companies instill a harmless chemical known as Mercaptan (read about it here https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MHMI/mmg139.pdf ) which smells ‘wonderfully’ like rotting eggs or Sulphur.
The gas helps us in so many ways, heating our homes, it is used for cooking inside and outside, and essential for the running of certain equipment so making sure that your home is safe and fitted with the proper piping is vital for not the safety of your family and peace of mind.
How to Tell if You Have a Gas Leak.
Besides the smell being the most prominent evidence of a gas leak, there are other factors to take note of, some more obvious than others but important nonetheless. If you know where your gas line is located, cover your mouth and nose and get close enough to hear if there is a hissing sound indicating that gas is escaping, or you might be able to see where the crack is located.
The more evident signs would be dead or dying plants and foliage in the vicinity as well as a white cloud blowing into the air. If you see either of these be sure to evacuate everyone from the home and nearby area and call a gas company immediately.
You want to avoid touching anything electrical, certainly don’t allow any open flames in or near the house, and wait in a safe place for the emergency services to arrive.
If the tell-tale signs are not as visible but you have an uneasy feeling and out of sorts, the physical aspects may help to rule it out or pinpoint the problem. There will be a sudden change in feelings and behavior if a gas leak is present so listen to what others are saying.
To be fully prepared and to read more about what to expect and what to look out for, click this link and familiarize yourself with the effects.
- Head. There may be headaches, feelings of dizziness and drowsiness, and stomachs not doing too well causing nausea. Get outside as soon as you can to get fresh air, as the oxygen levels drop and are consumed by the gas the more severe the symptoms.
- Throat. Scratchy or irritated swallowing, as well as scratchy eyes, is another sign, you find it hard to swallow as you normally would and have to think about, and make a concerted effort, to do so.
- Energy. You begin to feel drained, lethargic, and if enough time is spent in the gas area you may lapse into unconsciousness. In extreme cases, death can occur.
Who to Call?
There are plenty of companies around that offer the same variable of service, the same as in any industry, but there are elements to think about and consider before calling the first gas line repair company that pops up in the search engine.
Using a local firm is always a great place to start, they build relationships within the community, and are most likely well-known, and thus a referral from a friend or family member might confirm what you had already discovered.
Narrow down your research to a handful of options and begin a more thorough research session into how they operate, how long they have been in business, and do they have the service you are looking for.
Ideally, you want a firm who has been operational for at least 5 years, this will show you that they know what they are doing by having been around for so long, that they have a return customer base with satisfied reviews on ratings on their company website, and are well priced.
You are looking for professionalism from the get-go, this gives you peace of mind knowing that you are in safe and capable hands and that they will get the job done right the first time around. If these qualities appeal to you then companies such as gas line repair Chantilly may be just the silver lining you have been searching for.
The engineers should arrive well-dressed in the proper attire, the right tools for the job, and an overall sense of professionalism about them. You want the confidence to know they pride themselves in their work and by representing the firm, if anything seems off it should raise a red flag and you are better off looking elsewhere for the service.
Routine gas checks.
Are they necessary, is this something you need to add to your plate that seems to never be anything other than full, the answer is simple, yes. Having your utilities regularly checked is vital to staying on top of any issues that may occur, or prevent further damage by replacing or repairing parts immediately.
Make it part of your to-do list, this small habit could be the difference between a life-altering incident, and if you are wondering if the money could be better well spent elsewhere you need to ask yourself, can you put a price on a life?
You don’t want to leave it too late to find out, enquire about having an inspection, chat with the engineer as to when would be best to do a follow-up, and make a note in your calendar immediately.
We all know how the old saying goes that ‘it is better to be safe than sorry.’ No one ever believes that something bad could happen to them, always someone else until the experience is right on your doorstep and you are trying to deal with it as calmly as possible.
Be prepared, get the experts to tick the safety check box on your gas supply, and sleep well at night.