How to Maintain Your Natural Gas Lines

Gas line leaks are a common plumbing problem, and they can be disastrous. That’s why you must know how to maintain your gas lines. Or, better yet, enlist the help of a gas line service expert.

grey metal gas pipeline on brown concrete wall

The Importance of Gas Line Maintenance

Gas lines, like everything else we use daily, are prone to wear and tear. Because they’re usually under a lot of pressure, the slightest leak can easily lead to your entire house being filled with gas. The danger, of course, is that the smallest spark could then ignite the gas.

Besides being a ticking time bomb, more natural gas in the air would mean you’d end up breathing in less oxygen. This would result in difficulty in breathing, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and many others.

To avoid these disasters, you must ensure that you regularly check and maintain your gas lines. Or, better yet, get plumbing experts to do it for you.

Signs of a Gas Leak

Knowing the tell-tale signs of a gas leak is crucial to your safety. Here are a few signs of a gas leak you must always be on the lookout for:

Hissing Sound

One of the easiest ways to tell if you have a gas leak is by listening for a hissing sound. The hissing sound is dangerous, as it signifies a lot of gas escaping at the breach.

Sulfur Smell

Interestingly, natural gas has no smell. However, for safety reasons, a harmless chemical called mercaptan is added to it. This gives it the rotten egg or sulfur smell that’s characteristic of gas leaks.

Dying House Plants

If you have house plants, another sign of a gas leak in your house is the inexplicable death of your plants. Plants are sensitive to any buildup of gas in the air. When you have a slow undetectable gas leak, your dying plants are one way you can tell if your gas line is faulty.

Unusual Pet Behavior

Unusual behavior in your pets is another sign that you may have a gas leak in your home. Because pets are more sensitive to air quality, they may experience some symptoms of gas poisoning. Examples of such symptoms include inexplicable lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, or other unusual symptoms.

Malfunctioning Gas Appliances

Another easy way of telling if you have a gas leak is by checking if your appliances are working properly. A drop in gas pressure could result in them malfunctioning.

How to Maintain Your Gas Lines

Performing gas line maintenance may seem like a daunting task, but it isn’t. All you have to do is be on the lookout for signs of gas leaks. If you find a leak, make sure to turn off the gas at the mains and call your utility company to investigate.

While conducting your own inspection is good, it’s advisable to get a professional gas line service expert to conduct intensive checks on your gas lines.

red metal pipe

When to Contact Gas Line Service Experts

Because of the sensitive nature of natural gas, speed and expertise are essential whenever dealing with gas line repairs. So, whenever you suspect a problem in your gas line, get professional help. If you live in the Coachella Valley area, call KC’s 23 1/2 Hour Plumbing at 760-327-8718. We’ll be happy to help—at any time.