Natural gas plays a critical role in the United States. Besides fueling almost a third of our electricity production, over 74 million Americans rely on it for heating and cooking ‒ making it one of the nation’s most popular energy sources. Natural gas is distributed through an extensive series of pipelines that stretch across the country into your home.
Gas lines and appliances are incredibly well-engineered, capable of operating for decades without any problems. Strict safety standards, durable construction, professional installation, and built-in safety features ensure most homeowners never experience an issue with their natural gas supply.
However, even the best designed system can experience a mechanical failure and allow gas to escape into your home. For their safety, everyone who owns a gas stove, fireplace, or water heater should know how to identify and respond to gas leak symptoms.
How Do Gas Leaks Happen?
Thanks to strict regulations and solid construction, gas lines are incredibly durable. When leaks occur, they’re normally caused by:
- Worn Pipes. Over a long period of time, pipes can corrode, crack, or loosen at the joints.
- Poor Installation. Systems that aren’t properly connected can create a slow, steady release of gas.
- Damaged Pipes. Digging in your yard or moving an appliance can accidentally break the gas pipes in your home or under your property.
- Faulty Seals. Instead of controlling the flow of gas, worn fittings and valves allow it to seep into your house and yard.
Regular inspections, proper installation, and routine maintenance are the best ways to prevent leaks. Most gas lines should be inspected once a year, especially in older houses. Call your gas company to schedule a visit.
What Are the Signs of a Gas Leak?
Even though gas leaks are rare, they can cause serious damage, including fire and asphyxiation. Make sure you know what to watch for, such as:
- Smell of Sulfur. Natural gas is odorless and colorless, so companies add a chemical called mercaptan to make it easier to detect. Mercaptan contains sulfur-like compounds, similar to rotten eggs. Sometimes, you might get a whiff of it when you activate your stove or fireplace, though with modern appliances, this is rare. However, strong and persistent smells are a red flag.
- Persistent Hiss. Most leaks only release a tiny amount of gas into your home. However, large ones often create a whistling sound that becomes more pronounced as you get closer to it.
- Air Bubbles. The gas pipes feeding your home are normally installed underground. As a result, any standing water above them (e.g. puddles) will often bubble up. You may also see bubbles in sand or mud.
- Dead Plants. Natural gas prevents plants from absorbing oxygen. When a gas leak develops outside your home, dead flowers, wilted leaves, and yellow grass are one of the most noticeable signs.
- Burner Colors. Blue flames indicate your gas is burning cleanly. Red or orange flames, on the other hand, are a sign of poor combustion, caused by a malfunctioning stovetop or defective gas line.
- Higher Gas Bills. Seasonal variations in gas consumption are normal, but sudden and noticeable rise often indicates one of your gas lines has sprung a leak. Check your utility bills for further confirmation. If they’re higher than they were at the same time last year, even though your behavior hasn’t changed, call your gas company and schedule an inspection.
Gas Leak Symptoms
Not every gas leak is life-threatening. Small leaks may only produce a mild, unpleasant odor, but no physical symptoms. Large leaks, on the other hand, are a serious health risk. While natural gas isn’t poisonous, it lowers the oxygen content in the air you breathe. Even a brief exposure can lead to:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of Breath
- Pale, Blistered Skin
- Irritated Eyes, Nose, and Throat
Prolonged exposure can cause severe, possibly even life-threatening symptoms, such as:
- Nosebleeds
- Vomiting
- Chest Pains
- Ringing in Your Ears
- Memory Problems
- Loss of Concentration
- Loss of Consciousness
If these symptoms aren’t addressed quickly, suffocation is a real risk, especially in an enclosed environment. Because mercaptan can fade as it passes through soil or pipes, you may develop physical symptoms before you detect the smell of gas.
What To Do When You Experience a Gas Leak
Evacuate your home immediately and call your gas company. Most utilities have a 24-hour emergency number listed on their website, as well as their monthly bills. To minimize the risk of fire, open the windows and extinguish any open flames on your way out, including stoves and ovens. Don’t turn electrical appliances on or off, as it could cause a spark.
Once you’re at a safe distance outside, call the gas company or dial 911 and tell them you have a gas leak. Then wait until the fire department or service technician arrives. Don’t attempt to fix the leak yourself, as it can exacerbate the problem or even trigger an explosion. In some cases, your gas company may ask you to shut off the gas by sealing the main valve, normally located near the gas meter. However, if the valve is located inside, it’s better to wait for the fire department or gas company to arrive.
Call a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing any physical symptoms. The majority of people exposed to natural gas improve quickly after breathing fresh air for a few minutes and most of their symptoms clear up in less than a day. Nonetheless, consult a doctor to make sure no one requires further care ‒ especially if your household contains seniors or children.
Save on Heating System Repairs with Agway®
Gas heating systems are efficient and affordable, but require reliable support in order to function properly. While fire departments and utilities provide emergency repairs, they can’t protect you from daily wear and tear. This type of damage is small but unavoidable, often leading to unexpected and costly repairs. Home insurance doesn’t cover these types of problems, but we do. Agway EnergyGuard® helps restore gas furnaces and boilers while offsetting the cost of critical parts.*
The process is simple. When the need for repair occurs, our customers contact Agway’s service team. We maintain a network of qualified electricians and HVAC contractors and after receiving your message, we’ll send the first available one straight to your door. There are no service fees or deductibles either. We pay for the visit and all covered parts. Don’t let a breakdown disrupt your budget. Sign up and start enjoying the benefits of EnergyGuard today!
*Systems covered depend on commodity purchased
