LPG is a rather popular, safe, efficient and home-suitable source of energy. Generally, it provides a reliable fuel source for more than half the Aussie households, including cooking food and water heating systems.
Despite the many benefits of using LPG, some potential risks come with it as well. One of the big dangers is gas leaks, which can cause accidents and fires if not dealt with immediately.
13 Ways to Detect a Gas Leak at Home
- Use Your Nose
The most obvious way to tell if there’s a gas leak is to use your sense of smell. Generally, natural gas is odourless, but LPG companies add a chemical called “mercaptan” to give it a sulphur-like smell.
This is similar to a rotten egg or cabbage. If you smell this in your home, it could be a sign of a gas leak. So, it may be best to check your gas bottle and the appliances connected to it immediately.
- Listen for a Hissing Noise
Another way to tell if there’s a gas leak is to listen out for a whistling or hissing noise. This sound is caused by the escaping gas and it should be fairly easy to hear if you are close to the source of the leak.
In most cases, such is usually an indication of a small leak. It is then imperative to act fast and contact your LPG provider immediately before any graver problems occur.
- Visible Damage to LPG Connections
If you can see any damage to the pipes or connections that deliver LPG to your stove, heater or any other gas-enabled appliance, It is best to check for possible leaking. Even if you can’t see any gas escaping, it’s worth taking immediate action to prevent further damage.
Remember to discontinue the use of gas and turn off your appliances. It helps to turn off any electrical devices as well and to open all doors and windows for ventilation. And ask your gas company to have them check it out, just to be on the safe side.
- Use Carbon Monoxide Detectors
If you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home (which you should!), it can also be used to detect gas leaks. These detectors work by monitoring the levels of carbon monoxide in the air and if there is a sudden spike, it could be an indication that there’s a gas leak.
- Check Your Stovetop Burners
If you have a gas stove, one way to check for leaks is to turn on all the burners and see if there’s any difference in the flame. If one of the flames is lower than the others, it could be an indication that there’s a leak in that particular pipe.
- Apply the Soapy Water Test
One of the most common ways to test for gas leaks is the soapy water test. To do this, simply mix some dish soap with water in a bowl and apply it to the gas bottle and all the LPG connections in your home. If there’s a leak, you should see bubbles forming around the point of the leak.
- Unusual Quick Consumption
If you notice that you’re going through your LPG supply much faster than usual, it could be a sign of a leak. This is because the gas is escaping and not being used for its intended purpose, so you’ll end up using more to make up for the loss.
- Use a Gas Leak Detector
If you’re not sure whether there’s a gas leak or not, you can always purchase a gas leak detector. These devices are designed to sense even the smallest amounts of gas, so they’re very accurate. Gas leak detectors are used to test for the presence of methane or other gases in the air.
- Sudden Wilting of House Plants
If you have house plants, they can be quite helpful in detecting gas leaks. This is because plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. So if your plants start dying, getting discoloured or wilting suddenly, it could be because they’re not getting enough oxygen as a result of leaking gas.
- Check the Flames on Your Gas Stove
Another way to tell if there’s a gas leak is to check the colour of the flames on your gas stove. If the flames are yellow or orange, it could be a sign that there’s a leak, as this means that the gas isn’t burning properly.
- Feeling Unwell Due to Possible Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
If you start feeling unwell for no apparent reason and there’s no gas leak that you can see or smell, you may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning. Signs and manifestations of this may include dizziness, vomiting, headache and tiredness.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to get out of the house and into fresh air immediately. You should also call a reliable LPG provider near you for assistance.
- Pilot Lights that Flicker
If you have a gas appliance with a pilot light, such as a furnace or water heater, one way to tell if there’s a gas leak is to check the pilot light. If it’s flickering or goes out, it could be an indication that there’s a leak.
- Rusting Gas Pipes
If you can see any rust on the gas pipes in your home, it’s a good idea to have them checked out. This is because rust can cause the pipes to deteriorate and eventually leak gas.
If you suspect a gas leak, it is important to act quickly and safely. Do not turn on any lights, appliances or phones while you are evacuating as this could ignite the gas and cause an explosion.
For more reliable LPG bottles, Contact Plus Gas today!
