One of the world’s cleanest fossil fuels is natural gas. It only emits water vapor, carbon dioxide, and an almost negligible amount of nitrogen oxide when it burns. Natural gas is used worldwide to power many consumer products, including fireplaces, furnaces, stoves, and clothes dryers. It would be quite right to say that at least one of the appliances at your home uses natural gas. When you use natural gas properly, it proves to be an efficient and safe source of power. As mentioned above, burning this gas does release some greenhouse gases. Yet, it is a cleaner solution than other fossil fuels
Natural gas, of course, is flammable, and having a gas leak at your house could result in a fire. But like all fuels, natural gas can be fatal if not handled properly. That is why you should know the signs if you have a gas leak and are aware of all the safety procedures you need to follow if that ever happens.
The American Gas Association stated that more than 177 million citizens in the US used natural gas for at least one appliance in their homes. Appliances or pipes which that use gas could sometimes develop leaks and cause harmful effects. Here are the signs by which you can identify a gas leak.
The Odor Of Rotten Eggs
In the natural state, natural gas has no odor or color. Most gas companies thus add odorants to natural gas. These chemicals add scent to the natural gas so that people can identify a gas leak. The substances or odorants emit a strong smell of Sulphur, similar to rotten eggs’ smell. If the scent is strong in your house, you can be sure that you have a gas leak.
Whistling Or Hissing Sounds
If there has been a large gas leak at your home, you will find pipes or any of your home appliances emitting loud hissing or whistling sounds even if the appliances are off. You should check your appliances and pipes regularly and be vigilant for any hissing sounds. If you ever hear such a sound, make sure you call 911 immediately.
Visible Air Bubbles Outside Your House
There is a good chance that there might be gas leaks from the underground piping of your house. In that case, you would see bubbles in standing water around your home or the mud or puddles near your home. These are signs the gas is spreading underground, into the top layer of soil and the air around your house.
