Read on to learn about three common home gas line problems, their signs, and potential solutions.
1. Gas Leak
A gas leak inside of the home poses a danger to home occupants. As people and pets inhale the gas released into the home air, they can develop symptoms of natural gas poisoning. In addition, the buildup of natural gas inside of a home is also a fire and explosion hazard.
One sign of a natural gas leak is the smell of sulfur or rotten eggs in the home air. Gas supply companies add this odorant to gas to aid in gas leak detection. Additional signs of a gas leak include a gas bill that suddenly increases for no apparent reason and house plants that all suddenly die or become wilted at the same time.
When a leak is present in the pipe that supplies natural gas to a specific home appliance, you may hear a hissing noise emanating from the appliance. In addition, when a leak is present in the gas line section buried in your yard, you may notice gas bubbles rising to the surface of standing water that accumulates in your yard.
As soon as you notice one or more signs of a natural gas leak in your home, turn your home gas supply valve to the off position and immediately contact a plumber who can diagnose the cause of the gas leak and repair it.
2. Gas Line Blockage
Another common residential gas line problem is a gas line blockage. A gas line can become blocked with dirt or other debris; insects; tree roots; or even water. Alternatively, a gas line can develop a bad dent or kink in the line that blocks the flow of gas through it.
The most obvious sign of a natural gas blockage is gas-powered appliances that no longer work properly or at all. For example, your gas range may only produce a low flame when you have a burner set on high, or your gas water heater may take much longer to heat water than it used to when you have a blockage in a gas line.
A gas line blockage can eventually lead to a gas leak as pressure builds up on the gas line portion behind the blockage and exerts pressure on corroded or weak areas of the pipe.
If you suspect you have a gas line blockage, shut off the gas supply to your home and contact a plumber with experience in gas line repair. This expert can find the source of the blockage and clear it with a special probe or drain auger and inspect your gas lines for any damage, such as a leak, that may have been caused by the clog.