Gas leaks can be a serious safety hazard and you need to pay immediate attention to it so that potential fires, health risks and explosions can be repented. Propane, natural gas and other gases are used for cooking, heating and hot water. These can leak from pipelines, appliances or storage tanks if they are not installed or maintained properly. It is important to know how to recognise a gas leak so that you have a good idea of how to respond.
If you suspect a gas leak
You need to contact an emergency plumber Collingwood to carry out a gas leak test. A good way to tell if there is a gas leak is the smell. While propane and natural gas are odourless, the gas companies add a distinctive odour to them so that you can easily detect leaks. If you smell this odour in your home, it is a strong indication that there is a gas leak. You may also hear a whistling or hissing sound near a pipeline or gas appliance. You have to pay attention to any unusual noises especially when it is near gas powered equipment. Sometimes, you will notice that the vegetation turns yellow or plants suddenly start dying. This can be due to an underground gas leak. This will affect their root systems causing them to die.
When you are exposed to
Propane or natural gas, there are some symptoms you will experience such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, difficulty breathing and fatigue. These symptoms can occur suddenly and they will worsen the more you are exposed to it. It is important to take immediate action if you suspect there is a gas leak in your home. You have to evacuate all the occupants from the building immediately. You should not be using any electrical switches, devices, appliances etc. as this can generate sparks and ignite the gas. You should not be using phones as well. You have to leave doors and windows open as you evacuate so that the building can be ventilated. This will allow the gas to disperse safely. When you let air from outside in, the accumulation of gases will be prevented and you can prevent potential ignition.
If it is safe to do this
You need to shut off the main gas supply valve to the house or building. This is generally located on the gas meter or at the gas service entrance. You should not be using lighters, lighting matches or operating electrical switches. You should not do anything that can create any sparks inside the building. Even a small spark can lead to disastrous situations. You need to call the emergency line of your gas company or emergency services so that you can report the leak. You will need to call from a safe location outside the building and give them your address and explain what has happened. You can install carbon monoxide detectors inside the house so that you will be alerted when it is present. There has to be sufficient ventilation in the house especially in areas where gas appliances are installed like the basements, kitchens and utility rooms.