Have A Gas Leak In Your Home? Steps To Take

Home After A Natural Gas Explosion

Typically, gas leaks refer to a natural gas leaking out of a pipeline. These are especially dangerous since they can cause pressure to build up. When this happens, it causes an explosion that can decimate a household and the entire neighborhood. Additionally, a natural gas leak affects nearby vegetation and it releases dangerous greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In this article, we will cover basic signs of a gas leak, the risks that come with it, and what you should do if you believe that you have natural gas leakage in your Raritan NJ home.

There are many risk factors regarding a gas leakage.

A digging excavation can potentially hit a pipeline and damage it. Also, old pipelines are a growing problem. This is especially true in areas in the northeast where some pipe infrastructures are at least a century old.

As pipelines age, they rust, develop pressure points, and they’re also likely to leak. Also, when your heater is old and outdated, it does not perform as well. This is when issues occur. When a natural gas leak occurs in a confined space such as a basement or a utility hole, even the smallest of sparks can wreak havoc. This is why it isn’t difficult to see how a natural gas leak leads to explosions and fatalities.

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What To Do If There’s A Natural Gas Leak In Your Home

If you think there’s a natural gas leak in your home, you should take the following steps:

Evacuate Your Home

When you believe that you have a gas leak in your home, you should evacuate your home immediately. Don’t even pause long enough to use the Internet to read up on gas leaks. Immediately leave the premises and use your smart phone after you have left. You can also call from a neighbor’s house to request emergency services.

Since natural gas is mainly odorless, by the time you notice it’s affect on you, it could already be too late. If you inhale enough natural gas, it causes suffocation. So, leave the house with your pets and  then call 911.

The Smell Of Sulfur

Most gas companies will tell you that natural gas is odorless. This is why gas companies add a sulfur additive to natural gas today so that it smells like rotten eggs. They don’t want natural gas silently creeping into your home without you knowing it’s even there. Now, when you notice the smell of sulfur in the air, which is a unique smell, you, more than likely, have a natural gas leak in your home. This is the characteristic natural gas odor that allow people to detect an issue.

Use Gas Detectors

A gas detector will tell you…

when there’s an elevated level of gas in your home. This is quite useful for people who don’t have a strong sense of smell. When you buy a natural gas detector, make sure that it can also detect carbon monoxide. If you’re renting an apartment or a home, ask your landlord to buy gas and carbon monoxide detectors for you.

Turn Off Your Gas

If you’re close to the gas valve that’s located on your home’s gas pipe, turn it off. However, if you don’t have direct access to it, simply focus on leaving your home instead. When you do so, make sure that you take all of the human and animal occupants with you.

Don’t Turn On Electrical Devices

When you think that there’s a gas leak, you don’t want to turn on any electrical device.

They can cause a spark and even the smallest spark is disastrous in these situations. This doesn’t only include electrical devices, but it also includes things you may not even think of, like your doorbell and cell phone. Make sure you don’t call emergency services or your local fire department until after you’ve left your home.

 

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Natural Gas Leak Raritan NJ

Scheduling annual furnace tune-ups is an important part of preventing a dangerous situation like this from occurring. Experts will all agree that a system that is properly maintained helps prevent gas leaks and CO leaks from occurring. However, you don’t want just anyone working on your furnace. Make sure you hire a reputable HVAC company who is knowledgeable and can thoroughly inspect your furnace to make sure it is operating safely throughout the winter season. Not only does it ensure safe operation, an annual heater tune-up also helps your furnace work much more effectively and efficiently so you’ll feel more comfortable while paying less for your home heating costs.

When you need a qualified HVAC technician for your furnace, contact Skylands Energy. Our NATE certified technicians are trained so that they can properly work on your furnace. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

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Some of the areas we service include: Bridgewater, Flagtown, Raritan, Somerville and these zip codes: 08807, 08821, 08869, 08876 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.

Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

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