Signs you need to call an emergency gas plumber in Tweed Heads

Though natural gas provides almost 70% of Australians with cooked meals and hot showers, there is always the potential for it to go wrong; when that happens, you will need an emergency gas plumber. This can be nerve-wracking whether or not it ends up being a false alarm, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry – and to know the signs of a potential gas leak.

Our top 3 signs:

1. Use your senses

Gas is odourless, and so the smell of sulphur (routinely compared to rotten eggs) is usually added to make sure that people are aware of any faults when they arise. Carbon monoxide is never scented, however, so it’s important to regularly test your carbon monoxide detector or to purchase a new one if you need it.

You will likely be able to smell the gas at least a short while before a situation turns critical, but that doesn’t mean you can wait to address it. You might also hear a hissing sound from a burst pipe, but not always – the two in conjunction, however, is a sign of definite danger.

2. Personal symptoms

If there’s a gas leak in your home, that means there’ll be less oxygen in the air, and that can result in flu-like symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, fatigue, disorientation, and headaches. Carbon monoxide poisoning also manifests similarly, and your pets are not immune, so watch out for any changes in behaviour or any sudden spells of illness that you both share.

If you feel these symptoms and others, then you might have a gas leak, especially if they completely (or even mostly) go away when you leave the building. Even then – and even if the leak gets confirmed and fixed by a plumber – you’ll need medical attention afterwards, just in case.

3. Environmental symptoms

There are other small signs that (though they may seem innocent enough in isolation) can coalesce to mean something’s up. Outside or inside, plants fare even worse than humans or pets when it comes to a gas leak. Plants die for any number of reasons, but if this happens suddenly and without an obvious cause, it can be because the gas has blocked off their oxygen supply.

Also, if gas appliances have a differently coloured flame than normal, this can mean there is an excess of gas drowning out the oxygen needed for it to reach full power. Finally, though it might sound superstitious, it is possible to identify a leak by applying soapy water to a suspect pipe; if the water bubbles, this can indicate that the gas is escaping.

Call us today if you’re experiencing an emergency gas fault

If you think there’s a gas leak, you must turn off your gas supply valve (only if it’s safe to do so) and evacuate the building.

Plumb-Jet and Gas-Jet are available at any hour of the day (or night) to talk you through this, and can quickly send a plumber to ensure the safety of you and your family in Tweed Heads, so don’t hesitate to call us on 1300 881 902 if you need assistance.