What should I do if I smell gas at my property?
For many Australian homes, gas is the perfect and cheaper alternative to cooking, hot water, and heating than electricity. When installed correctly natural gas is a convention and reliable source of energy. Gas leaks are not common in homes, unless they are caused by incorrect installation or old appliances. Being prepared is the key. Here is a quick rundown of what you should do should you have a gas leak in your home.
Act Fast with Natural Gas
In the unlikely event that you do have a gas leak it important to follow a few simple steps.
Turn off the Gas
For most properties, the meter box is in a metal box which can be located at the side or front of the house. There will be a lever, and this should be turned 90 degrees.
Turn off Appliances
Make sure all appliances are turned off, and if you have old heaters or ovens, then make sure the pilot light has been extinguished. Blow out all naked flames such as candles and oil burners.
Open Windows
Open all the windows to let as much air in to help ventilate the area.
Seek Professional Help
Once you are satisfied that you have cut off the supply, it is now time to call a professional in to help find and fix the leak. Hogan Hot Water and Air Conditioning are experts in troubleshooting and resolving problems with gas water systems, and are available to help in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Central Coast locations.
What are the signs of a gas leak?
Smell
The first signs of a gas leak can be the smell, as natural gas is odourless and colourless. To help with detecting leaks they add in a harmless chemical called Mercaptan to give a distance odour, which is remarkably like rotten eggs. Yuck!
Sounds
You may be able to hear a hissing sound coming from the appliance or pipe that has the leak.
Plants
Plants require a certain amount of oxygen to live. If you have a gas leak within your home then the oxygen levels decrease and house plants can no longer survive and will start to die.
Physical Symptoms
If you are exposed to gas leak poisoning your body will start to show physical symptoms due to the lack of oxygen. Prolonged exposure can be deadly so its imperative that if you experience any of these symptoms listed below that you seek medical advice and call your local gas fitter.
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Eye and throat irritation
How to prevent gas leaks
Installing gas into your home is not a job that you should undertake yourself. Make sure to have all appliances installed by a licensed gas safe registered technician.
Alarms
Installing a gas alarm can help provide the peace of mind to you and your family by alerting you if a leak is detected in a similar way that smoke alarm works.
If you detect gas outside of your home
If you smell gas in your street or property, you should call Agas Leaks and Emergency Services on 1800 427 532, to assist with locating the leak and repairing. You can find more information on their website here.
Hogan Hot Water can help
Whilst gas leaks are not very common this doesn’t mean they can’t happen. Knowing what to do if you are this situation will help in acting quickly and resolving the issue before any further damage or harm can be done. If you would like help with installing gas hot water in your home, then contact Hogan Hot Water and Air Conditioning on 0488 029 618.