Natural gas may be used by several appliances around your home. While gas-powered equipment is popular, it can still be very dangerous. In the event of a leak, you, your family, your home, and your neighbors are all at risk. Time is of the essence the moment you suspect a gas leak is occurring. There are a few things you can do yourself when a gas leak occurs. This includes airing out your home, evacuating, and calling for help. However, you should take a safety-first approach by calling for professional help immediately. Our helpful team at Cody & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Air is ready to assist you with this urgent matter. As you wait for someone from our team to arrive, move as far away from the area as possible to ensure your safety. Once the problem is addressed, you will be given the ok to go back into your residence.
Immediate Do’s and Don’ts if You Suspect a Leak
There are a few telltale signs of a gas leak you can use to quickly confirm what you are facing in your home. The most notorious is the rotten egg smell that is standard with all gas products. Gas companies add this smell to their product so it is more detectable. Another way to spot a gas leak is to listen to hissing sounds near an active gas line. Check for a non-blue flame when you operate a gas stove or appliance.
Sometimes, the effects of a leak are less obvious, making it difficult to spot a problem right away. For instance, an unexplained headache, sudden dizziness, or persistent light-headedness may point to a gas leak. The oxygen levels in your home will gradually deplete, and your body will react. If you have plants in your home, you should space them throughout your residence. Plants compromised by a gas leak will begin to show signs of poor health. This includes wilting and discolored leaves. This makes it easier to assess where the leak is coming from. Once you confirm that a gas leak has occurred, remember to avoid panicking. Instead, take appropriate steps to help you rationally think through the problem at hand.
Start by calling our team for assistance if you suspect a gas leak. We can also help with routine inspections and maintenance in your home that will help you avoid gas leaks. While you can’t always avoid a gas leak, allowing our team to catch issues early is beneficial. Repairs and minor replacements can prevent pipes and connections from wearing down and leaking.
If you’re going to be doing any digging on your property, call 811 so that the utility companies can mark their lines. You can avoid the areas of your land that have gas lines running through them.
If you suspect a gas leak, avoid turning on lights, electronic devices, or appliances. Don’t do anything that could result in a spark. Move away from the home when you’re going to use your phone to call for assistance.
Professional Leak Detection Tools & Techniques
You might be tempted to address a gas leak yourself with techniques that you find online. However, the danger is ultimately not worth the risk. Professionals know how to handle the problem safely. We also use a variety of tools and techniques that are proven to work accurately and safely. The following gas leak detection methods are available to you when you trust Cody & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Air with your project or situation.
Professional-Grade Gas Detectors
Electronic devices such as semiconductor sensors, electrochemical gas sensors, and catalytic sensors help detect various types of gas at various concentration levels. The main advantage of these tools is that technicians get immediate readings and a fairly accurate location of the problem when using the proper detector in context. This data allows for a proper repair plan to be made.
Infrared Imaging Tools
Infrared imaging devices will detect subtle thermal signatures that may indicate a gas leak. These tools are particularly effective in complex environments with numerous hard-to-reach spots. Infrared technology is a non-intrusive way to detect leaks without disturbing building infrastructure.
Ultrasonic Sensors
As gas escapes from pipes, it emits a high-frequency sound that is easily picked up by ultrasonic sensing technology. This method is quite useful in noisy environments because the detectors can isolate the exact sound frequency a technician is looking for.
Soap Solution Testing
Since sensors usually just determine the general area of a leak, a more direct approach may be needed to find the exact source of the leak. A solution of soapy water does the trick, as the soap augments the viscosity of the water. The solution starts to bubble in the presence of a leak, making the exact repair point obvious as a result.
Pressure Testing
Testing the gas pressure from various access points is another way to detect a leak. This method is also used after repairs to confirm the integrity of your equipment and that the project is complete. A gauge is applied to each access point. The flow of gas is monitored for any drops in pressure that would indicate a problem is present.
Repair Options and Code Compliance in Dallas
Cody & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Air offers gas leak repair options that are affordable and effective. As a team of licensed professionals, we also have the extensive knowledge needed to maintain code compliance in the Dallas area. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your project will be completed to the exceptional standard that our loyal customers already expect. Our goal is to keep you and your family safe.
Direct Repair Methods
When we know the exact point of the leak, we will come up with a plan of action. We use a variety of products and tools to tighten fittings or replace individual sections of pipe without disturbing the rest of the system around the problem part. We’ll work closely with you to ensure the repair addresses the immediate issue but offers long-term safety.
Innovative Sealing Solutions
When a leak is particularly severe, there are professional strategies that we can employ. Epoxy resins can be mixed on-site to produce a custom, gas-tight seal around the opening. There are also specialized forms of tape that instantly bind with the pipe material. Both solutions generate an extremely durable, long-lasting seal that will fortify your equipment.
Make a Safety Plan Before You Need It
Cody & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Air has been a family-owned and operated HVAC business since 1969. During that time, we have helped many homeowners throughout our extensive coverage area of Dallas, Plano, and the surrounding communities. As a family-owned and operated business, we know exactly how nerve-wracking it can be. That’s why we offer support 24/7 for all emergency requests. Once we arrive, the job will be taken care of safely and thoroughly as quickly as possible. For the best gas leak services in Dallas, TX, give Cody & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Air a call today!
