Gas Line Safety Tips To Help Keep You Safe

Your home’s gas powered connections and appliances aren’t something you should mess around with. Any work concerning gas should always be left to the professionals, so if you suspect a leak or an issue, be sure to call emergency professionals. Routine maintenance done by Jones Services can help prevent problems, but no home is completely exempt. Here are a few things that you can do between maintenance appointments:

Check Smoke and CO Detectors

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are a must for every home, regardless if you use a gas line or not. Make sure you have enough detectors for each floor, and in important rooms such as the bedroom and living room. Keep detectors away from heating appliances like the stove which can trigger false alarms. Each detector should be routinely checked at least once a year for its batteries, tested, and inspected for other maintenance. The earlier you detect a potential gas leak or fire, the better, and that means having fully functional detectors.

Inspect Your Vents

All heating appliances need proper ventilation in order to function effectively. Inefficient heating isn’t the only reason why it’s crucial to check all the vents inside your home. Over time, dust and debris can block up your vents, and the lack of ventilation can cause carbon monoxide to accumulate.

Watch For Anything Out Of The Norm

Safely using your gas line requires knowing the warning signs of a gas or carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, making it nearly impossible to detect, which means you’ll need to pay close attention to your surroundings. If you start feeling certain symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, confusion, or rapid breathing, you need to get somewhere safe and call the fire department immediately. Leaks can cause house plants to discolor and standing water to bubble. If you start to smell something foul, like rotten eggs, that’s another sign of a potential gas leak. Some gas leaks produce noise, depending on severe the leak is, which can either be a hissing or roaring sound.

Dig Cautiously

If you’re planning any projects outside and need to dig, make sure you don’t end up puncturing your home’s gas line. You can easily avoided damaging your gas line by contacting your local authorities and utility company, as they can chart any potential digging hazards for you.

Check Your Pilot Light Frequently

Appliances like your water heater and furnace will have a pilot light. Periodically checking the pilot light is an easy way to prevent a problem. What you want is a blue light, a yellow or dead light, however, means there’s something wrong with the appliance.

Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance!

Your home’s gas-powered appliances need routine maintenance in order to function as they should, which includes annual inspections and tune ups. A Jones technician has the right tools and training to fix any potential problem and ensure your appliances operate safely.

If you smell gas at any point – do not ignore it. The first thing you should do is evacuate your home. Then, call the fire department and gas company so they can verify the area is safe. Once that’s taken care of, call Jones Services to come out and repair the problem.