There is a reason why we here at Five Star Plumbing do gas leak detection services for our customers. Although natural gas is safe for the most part, you can end up with a gas leak in your home and that opens you up to two primary dangers. Let’s talk about those dangers below and signs that you have a gas leak.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Hazard
One of the biggest dangers of a gas leak in your home is carbon monoxide poisoning. If the gas leak is small, you may not realize that you are being poisoned. In fact, the CDC reports that many people die in their sleep of carbon monoxide poisoning because this gas has no odor or color. Signs that you have carbon monoxide poisoning include chest pain, confusion, dizziness, headaches, vomiting, and an overall feeling of weakness. The CDC describes carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms as “flu-like.”
Fire Hazard
Another danger of a gas leak in your home is fire. As we said above, natural gas is generally a very safe way to heat your home and cook your food. Even though it does release greenhouse gases, it is also less harmful to the environment than things such as electric and wood-burning stoves. If you have a gas leak, however, you may end up setting your home on fire unintentionally. This is why it’s a good idea to have your home tested for gas leaks on a regular basis.
Signs of a Natural Gas Leak
It’s especially important to have your home tested for a natural gas leak if you notice any of the following signs:
- Rotten egg smells in your home and around gas appliances
- Houseplants that are unhealthy and struggling to survive
- A family that feels tired and sick all the time
- Dead foliage and grass around your exterior gas piping
- Skin irritation that will not go away no matter how much you treat it
- Orange flames coming from the burners of your gas stove and gas furnace
One or all of these things point to a gas leak in your home. In some cases, the leak may be so subtle that you don’t realize you have one, which is why gas leaks are so dangerous.
Five Star Plumbing is located in San Antonio, TX. Call the location that is closest to you to schedule an appointment for our gas leak detection services if you suspect that you have a gas leak. Even if you think the leak is minor, it is better to be safe than sorry. We would rather tell you that you don’t have a gas leak than have you become ill or worse because you have a small one.
