Gas Leak Detection

How To Detect And Stop Leaking Gas

Natural gas is a common source of energy found in almost every household. People use natural gas for drying clothes, cooking food, and heating water in their homes.

Natural gas is usually safe to use, but certain circumstances can make it quite dangerous. Improper installation and poorly maintained gas lines are the primary reason for gas leakage, which can be fatal. You should ensure that all the steps necessary for gas safety are taken and that your gas lines are constantly checked.

Natural gas does not usually cause the threat of poisoning like other gases, but it can cause immediate fire or explosion. Therefore, you need to be completely aware of the risks and damages it can cause. You should also know the measures of handling and maintaining the gas utilities properly.

Detecting a gas leakage is one of the essential things that every user of natural gas should be able to do. Detecting and repairing gas leakage as soon as it occurs will help you prevent long-term damage.

Natural Gas Leak Causes

Gas leakage usually occurs due to problems in gas pipelines. Natural gas seeps from the pipelines and leaks into open areas. Such leakage is more likely to occur in old, exposed, or corroded gas pipelines. The outer material of gas pipelines starts to wear away with time until minor fractures arise.

Dangers Of A Gas Leak

Methane present in natural gas is the cause of various problems. Though natural gas is non-toxic, its leakage in some cases can result in the following issues:

• Asphyxiation or dizziness when there is a high concentration of natural gas in closed places.

• Formation of highly flammable mixtures which might explode when exposed to a spark or open flames.

• Death of vegetation near the property.

• Higher gas bills.

• Costly damage to the property.

Detection Of Gas Leakage

Timely gas leak detection is very important. Here are five possible signs that there might be gas leaks detected in your house:

Sulphur or rotten egg smell

Natural gas, like most gases, is colourless and odourless, so it isn't easy to know if it is leaking. To alarm the users about any gas leakage or gas problem in their houses, most natural gas companies mix an additive called mercaptan. This additive gives a distinct smell that can alert you in time if there is any gas leakage.

The scent of this additive is like that of sulphur or rotten eggs. The pungent smell is very easy to identify. So, you will stay safe from any mishap if you keep your senses alive.

As soon as you smell any such odour, check the gas connections very carefully and properly investigate the source of leakage. If the smell is more pungent and you cannot find the leak, you should contact your local plumbers.

Whistling or hissing noise

A  whistling or hissing sound is one of the critical signs of gas leakage. If you hear any whistling sound or hissing near your gas pipeline, then it is a sign that you are experiencing a substantial gas leakage.

Check all the gas pipelines and the stove very carefully. Ensure you pay close attention to the side from where the noise is coming. If you hear that the hissing sound is coming from your AC, it might be a refrigerant line, a faulty valve, or a damaged capacitor where the gas is leaking. If the sound is coming from your kitchen, then it could be leaking from the stove.

Use a gas leak detector

Gas leakage detectors are quite effective at detecting gas leakage in your property. Several gas leak detectors are available on the market. You can choose any one of them according to your requirements. Leak detectors specially designed for this purpose are a reliable option for home safety.

Conduct the soapy water test

If you are not sure whether gas is leaking from a place, you can conduct a simple soapy water test with two simple ingredients found in your household. Mix a teaspoon of liquid soap into a cup of water to form a concentrated solution.

Douse the area with the soap and water solution where you are suspicious that the gas is leaking. Wait for a few seconds and look for signs of bubbling. If bubbles show up, it means that gas is leaking or escaping from that area, but if after a few minutes, the soapy water remains the same, then this is not the right area from where the gas is leaking.

Check your stove's flame colour

Old or poorly maintained gas stoves also cause leakage in the home. Many accidental deaths have occurred due to stove gas leakage. Gas stoves typically give off a blue flame when you turn the burner on. When you see that your stove burner is giving off orange or red flames, be careful because it is a sign that gas in the air is taking away oxygen.

Check your stove and cooking range to ensure it is tightly turned off before going to sleep. Even a minor leakage overnight can cause the accumulation of large volumes of gas in your kitchen, which might cause an accident the following day.

Types Of Gas Leak Detectors

You can use various gas leakage detectors in your house to keep your family and home safe. The following are the best methods to detect gas leakage:

Propane and natural gas sensors

Propane and natural gas detectors are quite efficient at indicating a potential gas leakage. Such sensors come in options like a portable, extension, or plug-in. A portable detector is helpful in checking for gas leakage in your home 24 hours a day. It is specially designed for the kitchen.

It can detect any gas leakage as soon as it starts to occur. This type of detector has methane, propane, and a combustible natural gas leak detector. Its features include a voice alarm and a digital display to tell you about all the conditions of gas leakage in your home.

With the assistance of a gas leak detector, you can trace any gas leakage, whether outdoor or indoor.

Carbon monoxide alarms

Carbon monoxide is a unique gas released by household appliances that use gas, for example, boilers, space heaters, cookers, and water heaters. Carbon monoxide is formed when fuels like propane or coal undergo incomplete combustion.

Carbon monoxide detectors are also available on the market. You can use one of them to monitor the presence of CO in your home. If there is a high concentration of leaked CO gas in an enclosed space, the carbon monoxide alarm will deploy its conservative voice, location, and smoke detection features.

Its voice feature provides you a clear indication of where the carbon monoxide gas is most concentrated so that you can act appropriately.

Hybrid detectors

The best alarm to detect harmful gas leakage is a hybrid alarm. This type of alarm usually detects carbon monoxide and certain explosive gases like methane, propane, and natural gas.

You can plug the combination of carbon monoxide and propane alarm into an AC outlet. This alarm has a backup battery, so if your power goes out, it can still warn you when there is a gas leak present. It has the most accurate and efficient technology available to sense high levels of gas in any area of your home.

Fixing Gas Leakage In Your Home

Once you have detected a gas leakage and the exact location where it is coming from, the next step is to fix the outlet to avoid any harm. There are seven basic steps involved in solving a gas leakage in your home. These steps are as follows:

1. Turn off the gas

2. Detach the gas line

3. Remove the residue gas pressure and clean the line

4. Attach the gas line

5. Apply epoxy

6. Test the gas lines

7. Call a plumber

Exercise care when fixing a gas leak because working with gas is a hazardous task. Ensure all gas valves are turned off completely. Remove the covers off the gas lines to expose the gas pipes. Make sure that you put on a mask so you do not inhale any harmful gases. It will help if you protect your hands by using gloves. Certain gases are explosive, and they can burn your hands.

Gas leaks often occur due to high pressure inside the pipe, so you need to remove the gas line from the regulator. Next, remove the residue gas pressure and clean the line. Your gas lines contain all the gas residues so, to relieve the pipe, you need to remove the gas residue. Check the line fittings on the high-pressure line. You can use a wrench to perform this task. Use acetone to clean the high-pressure line.

The final steps are tightening and testing the gas lines. If you cannot complete the procedures yourself, call a professional plumber to perform all fixes for you efficiently and safely.

Contact A Professional For All Your Gas Leak Issues

Gas leakage detection might seem like an easy task, but it is hazardous to do it yourself unprofessionally. Whenever you experience a gas leak at home, contact a professional plumber to detect and reset any gas-related problem in your house before it is too late.