I Smell Gas in My Home? What Should I Do?

If you have natural gas in your Richmond, Virginia home and suspect you might have a gas leak, it’s imperative that you have your furnace and gas lines inspected and repaired immediately. Gas leaks pose a serious threat to your property and can make you and your family ill. Let’s look at three signs that you may have a gas leak.

Rotten Egg or Sulfur Smell

Natural gas doesn’t have an odor to it, but, for safety reasons, utility companies add a chemical called mercaptan that has a very strong, rotten egg smell. Mercaptan is added in to alert you to a gas leak. Don’t hesitate to call and have the gas lines repaired immediately if you smell this odor.

Yellow or Orange Flames

The colors of the flames on your stove burners and furnace are normally blue. If you notice they have yellow or orange around the edges of the flame, the mixture of fuel and oxygen isn’t right. This could indicate a gas leak, and there is a strong possibility that dangerous carbon monoxide (CO2) is leaking into your home. It’s wise to have a carbon monoxide monitor installed to alert you if there is a CO2 leak.

Hissing or Whistling Sounds Near a Gas Line

If you hear a whistling sound, that means there is a substantial leak in the gas lines. This situation is very dangerous posing a fire threat as well as serious health risks. Learn where your main gas shut-off valve is, and if you hear hissing, shut it off, leave the house, and call us immediately for repairs.

The best way to prevent gas leaks in your home is with regular inspection of the gas lines and with preventive maintenance. Additionally, be sure you have plenty of good ventilation to keep your home’s indoor air quality high.

Call our professional team at Foster Plumbing & Heating if you suspect you have a gas leak and to schedule maintenance on your heating system. We are ready to speak with you at 804-215-1300.

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