In metropolitan areas, it is a given that at any time of the day, some construction work of some kind will be happening. This can mean that there are chances that the water and gas line might get damaged. While damaged water lines are easier to spot, fix and repair, damaged gas lines can be a bit trickier as there is a lot of risk of escalating the situation and making things worse.
For this reason, it is necessary to consider gas line repairs with care. Whether the area is residential or commercial, gas leaks and gas line repairs are no joking matter. In case you are considering what to do in such a situation, the following are some pointers that will allow you to effectively get a gas line repair while minimizing the risks associated with it.
Look for Confirmation
The first thing you need to do is to confirm that there is really a gas leak occurring or check for other signs that indicate that your gas line needs repairing. In this manner, you won’t waste anyone’s time and will have more definite evidence that the gas line repair is actually needed. The following are a few ways through which you can do that:
Unpleasant Odors
Gas used for commercial reasons is always treated in order to give it a pungent odor that can make one easily identify it if it leaks. Natural gas is always odorless, but this treatment allows you to be more aware of the presence of the gas in case you have leaked it. Make sure that you aren’t mistaking this smell with anything else. For example: A dirty garbage disposal chute might also make your home have a pungent smell if it is not cleaned out properly.
Listen for a Leak
When gas leaks from a pipe, it is usually pressurized and the small area from which it is leaking out from can make a slight hissing sound, much like the sound of air escaping from tires. In certain situations, this hissing sound might also be a slight whooshing or whistling sound coming from a broken or leaking pipe.
A Thicker Layer
Gas is actually thicker than air and you can see it escaping into the air before it dissipates and spreads across the whole room. While you can’t see gas around you all the time, leaking gas might be visible for a little while. Even if there is no sound, if you can see a thick, film like quality in the air around you, there might be a gas leak which could require immediate gas line repair.
Signs of Wear and Tear
Sometimes, there might not be a gas leak as yet but it is a good idea to take a closer look at gas pipes to make sure that the possibility of a leak is nowhere near. Sometimes, there might be signs that a leak is eminent but you can easily avert it by looking for signs of wear and tear on the pipes. By being active about it and getting gas line repair before a leak occurs, you can ensure that you don’t end up in hot water if a leak does occur.
Call for Help ASAP
Now that you have identified whether you need gas line repair it is a good idea to call in the professionals. It’s wise to consider the expertise and the working experience of the chosen business that you are working with. It is also a good idea to opt for emergency services. They have a much shorter wait time and help will be on the given location as quickly as possible.
No DIY
The last thing you should try to do is to apply some DIY measures for gas line repair. When the repairs are relating to your gas line, it is a much better decision to splurge some money and get the work done by professionals. Since the risks involved are higher, you don’t want to waste your time and money on trying out DIY solutions.
Moreover, fixing the pipes can take longer if you applied any silly DIY solutions and which failed to yield any results. The professionals you call in will have to spend a longer amount of time and it will cost you more too. In such situations, calling in the professionals for gas line repair will mean that they have to get rid of the damage that you caused before they can begin to rectify the actual issue at hand.
Evacuate the Area
Gas leaks are no joking matter so it is a good idea to evacuate the area and ensure that no one is around. Natural gas used for the production of energy is flammable and can react to any open flame they come in contact with. If the gas leak occurred in an enclosed space, this can be a recipe for disaster.
Moreover, leaking gas in an enclosed space can also cause death via mono-carbon poisoning. This is one reason why people are advised to avoid being in the same vicinity as it can be very dangerous for a person to be in such a situation. If you can, turn off the main supply of gas so as to contain the leak in a certain manner but always assess the risks involved. If you are unable to do so, it is a good idea to just wait for the professionals to arrive and retreat to a safe area.
If you are looking for a reliable plumbing company in the Fullerton, CA area, get in touch with us. At Bluefrog Plumbing + Drain in the Fullerton, CA area, our experts are knowledgeable and can easily fix any problems related to your gas line. Whether it is an emergency or a maintenance check, give us a call 949-543-1087, for more information or to set up an appointment with us.
Photo By ImagePixel at Shutterstock

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