Gas leaks are not only detrimental to your residential plumbing, but also you and your family’s health!
Every homeowner must remain vigilant when they have gas-powered heating systems or appliances, and this is because the dangers associated hidden gas leaks truly are troublesome. Most residential plumbing code requirements will necessitate that carbon monoxide detectors are installed within 10 feet of every bedroom within a household, but there are countless homes that don’t abide by these types of requirements.
This leaves many families at a legitimate risk in the case of a hidden gas leak, and it’s important for all homeowners to realize the reasoning behind why carbon monoxide and gas are considered “silent killers”. There are many different health effects that can rather quickly take place as gas spreads throughout a residential property, and it can lead to serious headaches, loss of consciousness and much worse.
That’s why it’s so important for homeowners and parents to always take suspected gas leaks extremely seriously, and on this page we’re going to go over some of the health effects and dangers of hidden gas leaks, as well as gas leak signs so you and your family can be one step ahead of these unseen household dangers!
Hidden Gas Leak Dangers And Health Effects
As we mentioned above, there are a whole array of different symptoms and dangers connected to hidden gas leaks. This is why it’s always a good idea to educate yourself and your family when it comes to gas leak dangers, and to always take immediate action when you suspect a gas leak is occurring.
Any of the following health effect signs should be taken very seriously, because when a gas leak does occur within your home you should always immediately leave the property and notify your utility company of the leak. You’ll also want to make sure that each of your family members gets a complete check-up by a physician as well!
Here are some of the most common health effects associated with hidden gas leaks:
- Unexplained Migraines/Headaches: Unexplainable or sudden headaches are something that many hidden gas leak victims experience, and many times these types of headaches will get much worse while being in a particular room. This change in headache severity could be due to the actual origins of the gas leak, and if the headaches get much better by simply walking outside and getting fresh air then it could be an indication that the air in your home is experiencing an influx of gas.
- Dizziness: Sudden nausea and vertigo-like feelings are commonly expressed by people who have had a hidden natural gas leak within their home, and these feelings tend to only worsen as time goes on and the leak isn’t addressed.
- Respiratory/Breathing Issues: Gas leak exposure will often also lead to difficulty breathing, chest tightness, irregular respiratory behavior and potentially even death. Natural gas will be capable of actually sucking air out of your lungs, which is extremely dangerous and detrimental to your health!
- Strange Odors: Although odors permeating throughout your home may not be quite as serious as some of the above symptoms, the smell of rotten eggs within your home is a common indication of a hidden gas leak.
Common Gas Leak Signs
Almost all of the most common gas leak signs can be categorized within sound, smell and sight, so here are some warning signs associated with these primary senses:
- Smell: Natural gas is almost always completely odorless, which is why many gas companies will implement certain chemicals within residential gas supplies to help homeowners when it comes to deciphering the presence of a leak. Mercaptan is the main chemical that adds a smell to natural gas, and this chemical is known to smell like rotten eggs.
- Sound: It’s possible for homeowners to hear a slight hissing sound coming from the location of the gas leak, and this will typically be a damaged pipe. Although it’s always possible that your gas leak is in an area where you won’t hear it, it’s still important to understand that certain unexplainable hissing sounds can indicate gas/air permeating through a burst or cracked pipe.
- Sight: Any type of significant natural gas leak will inevitably develop into a noticeable commotion within your home. It’s possible that you might spot gas leaks signs like dirt or dust blowing around, or dead grass patches.
Reach Out To The Experts At Beehive Plumbing To Learn More About How We Can Protect Your Residential Plumbing System From Potential Gas Leaks!
The experts at Beehive Plumbing are practiced and proficient when it comes to properly handling gas leaks found within both residential and commercial properties. These types of emergency plumbing scenarios should always be taken very seriously, and our team will always be there for you on a 24/7 basis when you need us most!
So always feel free to reach out to us online or call us at 801-661-8155 today to speak with our team and let us know how we can support your residential plumbing system and protect it from potential gas leaks!
