7 Warning Signs You Need Gas Line Repair Service

An estimated 15% of the country’s natural gas is used for residential purposes like home and water heating. That means that U.S. homeowners need to learn more about their home gas lines.

Most of the time, you won’t need to tinker with your gas lines at all. In fact, we never recommend that homeowners attempt DIY repairs or replacements on any gas lines in their homes.

However, you should learn about the signs that you’re in need of a gas line repair service. The better equipped you are to spot an issue, the safer your home will be.

Ready to learn more? Read on for seven signs that you need gas line repairs ASAP.

1. You’re Noticing New Odors

Before pumping gas into your home, the gas company adds an ingredient called mercaptan to it. Mercaptan has a distinct smell that is easy to identify and hard to mistake for something else. Most people describe this smell as sulphuric, comparing it to the stench of rotten eggs.

The purpose of mercaptan is to alert you of a gas leak. You might not smell a small gas leak, but a larger gas leak is likely to make the surrounding area stink. If you smell mercaptan in your home, evacuate and call the gas company immediately. Before you can hire a professional plumber for gas line repairs, you will need to have your gas shut off to avoid a dangerous situation.

2. Your Gas Bill Is Going Up

Take stock of what you use gas for in your home. Maybe you have a gas stove, gas-fueled central heating, and a gas-fueled water heater. It can help to keep a list handy of all of your gas-fueled appliances.

If you notice a sudden or steady increase in your gas bill, you can use your list of gas-fueled appliances to assess your gas usage. If you have no reason to believe that you’re using as much gas as you’re being charged for, it’s time to have a professional take a look at your gas lines and make any necessary repairs. It’s possible that you have an undetected leak or that your gas lines are no longer working efficiently.

3. Your Gas Lines Are Showing Deterioration

The majority of gas lines, especially older gas lines, are made of metal. Make sure to regularly inspect any visible gas lines to look for signs of deterioration.

What does gas line deterioration look like? The gas lines may appear pinched or bent. They may also start to rust or corrode.

All of these signs indicate that your gas lines could begin to crack or come apart, causing a gas leak. While it may seem tempting to clean rust off of the outside of your gas pipes, you’re better off having them replaced. Rust eats away at the pipe, and removing it won’t restore structural integrity.

4. Your Gas Appliances Aren’t Working Well

Once again, it is useful to know which of your appliances use gas to function. If these appliances start to malfunction for reasons that you can’t identify (including age), it’s possible that there is something wrong with your gas line.

Pay attention to any strange noises coming from your gas-fueled appliances as well as changes in efficiency. For example, if it’s taking longer for your gas range to heat up to the desired temperature, it could indicate that something is wrong with the gas lines.

5. You Hear a Hissing Sound Coming From Your Gas Line

If you start to notice a low hissing sound, do your best to trace it to the source. If the sound is coming from a visible or known gas line, this is reason enough to call the gas company. Once again, you’re going to want to have your gas shut off before calling professionals for gas line repairs.

Like sulphuric smells, hissing sounds coming from a gas line indicate a leak. Never put off addressing this hissing sound, even if it isn’t accompanied by a sulphuric smell or other signs of a gas line issue.

6. You’re Experiencing Unusual Symptoms

A gas leak will alter the amount of available oxygen in your home. Prolonged exposure to a gas leak can start to cause serious physical symptoms including headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and irritation of the eyes or throat.

Keep in mind that these symptoms can arise due to other household problems, as well. Carbon monoxide leaks and mold growth can both cause the same symptoms you may experience in response to gas exposure. Gas and carbon monoxide leaks are the most serious of the three problems, and you should have your home inspected for both before ruling them out and inspecting for mold.

7. Your Gas Lines Are Old

Unfortunately, we’ve seen what can happen when homes are equipped with outdated gas lines. Old gas lines that are past their expiration date can lead to deadly explosions. This is because they are more prone to issues we’ve mentioned here, like corrosion or cracking.

When moving into a new home, make sure to ask about your gas lines during a home inspection. If your inspector neglected the gas lines, call your local plumbers in Tacoma and have them take a look at your gas lines to determine if it’s time for an upgrade.

Contact Service Plumbing Tacoma for Gas Line Repair Service

If your home is equipped with gas lines, it’s important to recognize the signs of a gas leak. By reading this guide, you’ve prepared yourself to protect your home and family by getting gas line repairs whenever necessary.

Do any of these signs sound familiar? It’s time to act fast. Contact us at Service Plumbing and Systems and schedule an appointment ASAP.