Introduction: What to do if you smell gas
The smell of gas in your home indicates an urgent issue that requires immediate action.
As a trusted plumbing service in Cherrybrook, Sydney, we urge you to take decisive action if you detect a gas odour in your home.
This article provides critical steps to follow immediately if you suspect a gas leak. Remain composed and act quickly to safeguard your living spaces from potential gas hazards.
Immediately evacuate the area
If you detect a gas smell inside your house, it’s critical to evacuate everyone from the building immediately. Ensure everyone is a safe distance away, using the origin of the smell as the cue to call emergency services. Saying 'I smell gas’ should be the immediate signal to evacuate your family and pets to safety.
Evacuate promptly without delay; maintain composure while acting quickly. Do not operate light switches, mobile phones, or any other electronics, and evacuate as soon as possible. Remove any potential sources of ignition to prevent the hazardous consequences of gas leaks.
Do not use any electronics or turn on/off light switches
Once you detect the scent of leaking gas, it is imperative to head right away out of your house to safety and avoid manipulating any lights or electrical devices. It is critical not to do anything that could trigger a spark while evacuating the building.
Using electronics could compromise safety and potentially cause a fire by igniting the gas. Do not use light switches, mobile phones, garage door openers, or other electronic devices. Manipulating switches or unplugging devices can also run the extremely dangerous risk of triggering explosions or fires. Exit peacefully without interacting with any of the electrical items you normally use.
Open doors and windows to ventilate
Once you’re in a safe position after exiting your dwelling, do what’s possible to open doors and windows to boost ventilation, particularly if you use LP gas within your residence. This action helps to lower the risk within your home by reducing the concentration of gas.
Only open windows and doors to aid ventilation if you can do so quickly and safely without hindering evacuation. Do not ventilate if you detect gas outside your home and the odour is extremely strong, or the leak may originate beyond your perimeter, as letting in more outdoor air could introduce more gas indoors.
Identify potential sources of the gas leak
Once evacuated and if re-entry is safe, contact a professional to pinpoint the source of the leak, assuming no immediate risk. Investigate common issues like a faulty pilot light or gas appliance connections; signs of a gas leak often include simple symptoms such as damaged connectors and loose pipe fittings. Use a spray bottle with soapy water on joints and connections to identify gas leakages through bubble formation. Prioritise safety and engage with professionals if there’s a gas leak coming from a source which your regular checks cannot determine or readily access.
Grappling with the correct action when there’s a scent of gas is vital, as tell-tale hissing and the singular odour of rotten eggs typically indicate gas leak scenarios your senses can pick up.
Shut off the gas supply
In gas emergencies, during evacuation and once the leak is identified, your actions must consist of engaging a licensed gas fitter to safely disconnect all gas supplies. If accessible and safe, shut off the gas by turning the valve to the 'off’ position, perpendicular to the pipe.
Find the main valve near external pipes or where pipes enter your home; contact us for help if needed. Turning off gas appliances is important, but the main valve must be shut off most importantly.
Be prudent as you disconnect the gas and take care your actions avoid going back inside or getting near suspected areas of gas emissions.
Your wellbeing is the priority - If unsafe to turn off the main valve, retreat to a secure area and contact emergency services.
After closing the main gas line, contact a gas professional before attempting to turn it back on. Summon a licensed gas fitter to investigate for leakages, mend lines, and safely re-establish your gas installation.
Contact the gas company
Once safely outside, report the situation to your gas distributor without delay. Keep the emergency number handy, as it’s critical for taking immediate action when you smell gas. Your recent utility bills or a local directory will have the contact details.
When speaking to gas personnel, have the following information at hand:
- Your name, address and contact details
- Details about what happened - When, where and what do you did when you detected the gas smell
- If known, where gas leak is stemming from or the precise location of the gas emission
- Whether you have shut off main gas supply already
Offering detailed information helps technicians decipher what do I need to detail and the ideal response to secure gas in your home, plus the suitable equipment and team size for a prompt leak resolution. Answer any questions openly to assist them in making your home safe again.
Post gas leak, licensed gas fitters should check, test, and relight appliances before gas supply restoration. Do not attempt to turn the main gas back on after a leak; leave it to professionals.
Arrange inspection by a professional
After any suspected or confirmed gas leak, it is crucial to arrange an inspection by a qualified professional plumber gas specialist or licenced gas fitter. Cherrybrook Plumbing specialists can thoroughly evaluate your gas infrastructure to uncover any damage or risks post-incident.
Even if emergency responders have attended and reconnected services, it’s prudent to schedule a home inspection. Our comprehensive safety checks after gas leaks include:
- Assessing gas appliances, such as your gas stove, gas heater, and hot water systems
- Examining pipes, joints, valves and connections for tightness
- Measuring pressure to ensure it meets standards
- Checking your gas meter is correctly recording usage
- Conducting carbon monoxide testing for unseen leaks
- Recommending and implementing any necessary repairs
Addressing underlying problems diminishes the chances of recurring gas leaks and associated hazards like poisoning.
Our licensed technicians apply what they know about safety and function into ensuring your energy systems are secure and fully operational. Contact Cherrybrook Plumbing on 1300 349 338 or [email protected] to schedule a comprehensive safety inspection 24/7.
Health and safety risks
Major gas leaks pose grave health and safety risks necessitating immediate focus. Carbon monoxide, an odourless and invisible gas, is produced when gas combustion is incomplete. Inhaling gas fumes can cause harmful symptoms, the most dangerous being carbon monoxide poisoning.
If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, evacuate the area, get fresh air and immediate medical help, as this can be fatal.
Other risks of gas leaks include fires and explosions that can result in severe injuries or property damage. Gas in confined spaces can cause a spark ignite gas situation if an open flame or electrical fault occurs. It is therefore imperative to enlist professionals quickly to address gas leaks and prevent any potential to ignite gas inadvertently.
Children, elderly people and those with existing respiratory conditions are most vulnerable to the effects of gas leaks. Pets may also show signs of illness from exposure. Seek veterinary advice if animal companions display unusual lethargy, weakness or breathing issues after a known or suspected gas leak.
Always take gas leak incidents seriously. Act quickly, eliminate ignition sources, ventilate areas and call qualified gas technicians to inspect systems and confirm safety. Prioritise health, keep the affected area clear, watch closely for symptoms of poisoning, and seek medical assistance immediately if anyone feels unwell after a gas leak.
Fire and explosion dangers
Gas leaks pose a serious risk of fire and explosion that can lead to catastrophic damage. When concentrations of gas accumulate and mix with oxygen in the air, an ignition source like a spark or open flame can trigger an explosion.
Both natural gas and LPG are extremely flammable.
Indicators that a blend of LPG or natural gas might ignite and cause a fire or explosion include hissing sounds, bubbling at pipe joints, intensifying odours, frosted pipes, and dust ejecting from vents. Should you notice these alert signals that indicate gas trouble in your vicinity, evacuate promptly and contact emergency services.
To reduce fire and explosion dangers associated with gas leaks:
- Open doors and windows to ventilate the area so gas disperses instead of concentrating in pockets
- Eliminate all possible ignition sources like pilot lights, electrical faults, garage door openers that may produce sparks
- Do not turn any lights or appliances on or off during evacuation
- Shut off gas quickly if safely accessible
- Keep the affected area clear and monitor for symptoms of exposure like dizziness, headaches
- Allow only licenced technicians to inspect and restore gas connections
In sum, gas leaks significantly increase the risk of fires and explosions, which can do gas systems irreparable harm and cause bodily injury. Seek help promptly, enable ventilation, steer clear of ignition triggers, shut off the gas, and call experienced gas fitters like Cherrybrook Plumbing on 1300 349 338 to swiftly address leaks and verify system integrity before restoring supply.
Preventative maintenance
Conducting regular preventative maintenance checks is crucial for avoiding gas leaks and ensuring ongoing safety. We recommend home and business owners arrange professional inspections of gas systems at least annually.
Our maintenance, packed with safety tips and carried out by qualified Cherrybrook Plumbing technicians, includes:
- Checking all hoses, valves, connectors, pipes and appliances for wear, damage or loose fittings
- Using gas leak detection spray on joints to test for escaping gas
- Confirming appropriate gas pressure and flow rates
- Cleaning appliance burners, ignition ports, ventilation systems and flues
- Verifying safety controls on appliances are functioning correctly
- Tuning and adjusting devices to optimise performance and efficiency
- Replacing outdated regulator equipment and installing safety accessories like gas detectors
Preventative servicing reduces the risks of leaks, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Our team brings extensive expertise maintaining and repairing gas systems across the Sydney region. Depend on Cherrybrook Plumbing for skillful assistance with gas system inspections and thorough maintenance.
For expert gas system checks or installations, contact our friendly team on 1300 349 338 or at [email protected].