Gas leaks are something that every household should take seriously owing to the grave injuries that are associated with such incidences. How does one manage such a leak after detection? This article seeks to provide you with appropriate information on how to go about such a situation. First and foremost, it is important to elucidate what leads to a gas leak. This is usually happens as the result of ill fitted appliances within the home. When fittings are not well done, the gas escapes, usually from the hose pipe that links the appliance to the gas source, and this is what causes the gas to leak. Sometimes the appliances are well-fitted but will be poorly maintained leading to the gas leak.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK89HHaJzVI”]As far as maintenance is concerned, it is imperative that home owners carry out regular service of their appliances. This is particularly important if a number of your appliances are old. To ensure that you get the best services, contact a certified Gas Safe Engineer. For the same reason, you must be very keen when moving into an old home that has been furnished. The good news is that if you are keen enough, it is relatively easy to pick up signs of faulty appliances.
What happens if gas leaks are not addressed on time?
A gas leak could easily lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if it is not detected early enough. It is not rare to hear of fires caused by gas leaks, and in the worst case scenario, these leaks lead to explosions. All of these have devastating effects on human life and is the reason why this issue must be addressed.
How does one detect a gas leak?
The most common way to detect a gas leak is to pick up the smell of gas within the home. This is a reliable method, but is challenging for individuals who have problems with their olfactory systems. As a result, individuals should always be on the lookout for telltale signs that indicate poisoning as a result of gas leaks. Feeling lightheaded is something worth looking into. This is usually accompanied by nausea and slight headaches. If you feel this way, take a step outside and see whether you feel better. If the symptoms disappear when you do this, it is likely that the poisoning effects of the gas leak are setting in. other signs that you should be on the lookout for even when you cannot pick the smell of gas include:
- A blue flame when you turn your burner on as opposed to an orange flame as the latter is indicative of incomplete combustion.
- Check that your burner does not have a lead flame that seems to jet out.
- A musty smell in the home could also point to gas leaks in the offing.
When you suspect that there is a gas leak, you must first turn off the gas. Open all the windows to allow fresh air in and avoid using electricity as this could ignite a fire. When this is done, call in the experts.