Earlier this month, we published a blog post about preventing gas leaks. But what should you do if you suspect that you do smell gas? This is certainly an issue that should be addressed right away and taken very seriously. A gas leak can not only lead to minor illness from carbon monoxide poisoning, it could cause more severe carbon monoxide poisoning or even lead to a fire or explosion.
Albeit rare, this is a situation you never want to risk. The first sign of a gas leak is the smell of rotten eggs. This scent was added to gas lines by gas companies to allow homeowners to detect the otherwise odorless gas.
So What Do I Do?
The first step is to exit the premises right when you smell gas in or around your home. If possible, extinguish any open flames, such as the burners on your stovetop. Additionally, do not be tempted to unplug any electrical appliances. Doing so can cause a tiny spark which could be just enough to ignite a fire.
Once you and your family have safely vacated your home, call your gas company or even 911. Don’t go back into your home until it has been deemed safe to do so by officials. While this may seem extreme and overly cautious, it is better to be safe than sorry.
What Causes Gas Leaks?
There are many appliances within your home that use natural gas to create heat. This includes your water heater, clothes dryer, stove, fireplace, and more. Proper installation is vital, but even then your appliances are prone to natural wear and tear.
As appliances age, the seals that connect their piping can corrode, which eventually causes a gas leak. If your home is older, then the piping coming in from the outside could lose its seal or simply break off due to wear and tear.
One last factor that can contribute to gas leaks is poor ventilation. Large appliances—like your HVAC system—must be able to vent gas off through a chimney or exhaust fan. Without this ventilation, then carbon monoxide can leak into your home.
For reliable and safe HVAC installation Allendale, NJ, and other cities throughout Bergen County, NJ, call DB Heating & Cooling, Inc today!