Natural gas piping and appliances are generally very safe, but if they become compromised, you could end up with a gas leak in your home. Gas leaks can lead to explosions, asphyxiation, and in the worst-case scenarios, brain damage or even death. The good news is that there are some tell-tale signs that you have a gas leak in your home, and that's what we'll be looking at in this article.

Signs of a Gas Leak

The following five signs individually may or may not indicate a gas leak, but if you notice more than one of the warning signs listed below, then you should contact a professional gas fitter so that they can investigate the situation and fix the leak before anything bad happens.

Foul Odour

One of the first signs of a gas leak is a foul odour in the air. Although most people associate natural gas with the smell of something burning, it actually has no smell. Gas odours are usually caused by a buildup of bacteria in your water supply or in your piping and often smell like rotten eggs. If you notice this kind of foul odour but can’t find the source, you should consult a professional gas fitter right away.

Hissing Sounds

You might hear hissing sounds or a steady hiss coming from your home's gas piping. These are tell-tale signs of a gas leak. If you notice a hissing sound coming from your gas piping, you should contact a professional gas fitter as soon as possible because you don't want to risk an explosion.

Dead Plants

If you notice that your plants are wilting or dying, this could be a sign of a potential gas leak in your home. This happens because the gas gets sucked up through the soil and suffocates the root system, which in turn causes the plants to wilt. There are many other reasons for why your plants could die, but more often than people realize, it's because of a gas leak in the home.

Small Bubbles

If you notice a small cloud of bubbles coming from your appliances when they’re off, or if you notice small bubbles in your sink, it’s likely that you have a leak. In fact, this is one of the most common signs of a gas leak, and it means that there is a significant amount of gas escaping from your pipeline. Gas is not visible to the naked eye, so you’ll notice these bubbles only when there’s a significant amount escaping.

Physical Symptoms

When you have a significant amount of gas escaping, you may notice a variety of physical symptoms. These include nausea, chest pain, dizziness, headache, or fatigue. Any of these physical symptoms can indicate a serious condition. In most cases, these symptoms are caused by other factors, but if you notice any of the other warning signs listed above as well, then it’s important to call a professional immediately to check for a gas leak.

What To Do Next

If it turns out that you do have a gas leak in your home, there are a few things that you should do immediately. First, you should shut off the gas if possible. Next, you’ll want to get any people and pets out of the home. Once everyone is safely outside, contact a professional gas fitter for assistance. In most cases, they will be able to fix the leak quickly, and once the problem has been resolved, you'll be able to enter your home again.

Conclusion

Natural gas is a dangerous substance that can cause significant damage to your home if not monitored and safely vented. Consequently, you need to be on guard and aware of the potential signs of a natural gas leak. If you notice any of the signs discussed above, you should leave your home immediately and call a gas fitter to safely fix your gas leaks.