Understanding the dangers of gas leaks
A gas leak in your house is a severe hazard, potentially exposing your family to dangerous gases like methane or carbon monoxide. Odourless and colourless gases, such as natural gas and LPG, can lead to health problems ranging from mild symptoms such as dizziness and nausea, to severe effects including unconsciousness or, at high concentrations, death.
Common symptoms of a gas leak are:
- A rotten egg smell (caused by added odorants)
- A hissing sound or whistling sounds coming from gas appliances
- Dirt blowing from pipelines
- Unusual odours in or around your home
- Yellow flames instead of blue flames on a gas stove
If you suspect a gas leak, immediately vacate the area and contact a licensed gasfitter at 1300 349 338 to report the potential leak. Our skilled team will dispatch a licensed gasfitter promptly to address the issue. Gas leaks left unchecked pose a significant health risk, leading to devastating explosions, so early detection and swift action are critical.
To enhance safety, we recommend installing carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your dwelling. Arrange annual inspections of your gas lines and appliances by our professional technicians. Proper maintenance significantly reduces the risk of long-term indoor air quality issues from gas contamination.
Enlist a qualified gas fitter from Mortdale Plumbing to ensure the safety and security of your gas installations. Our gas fitting team has the skills and when you require a house call, they provide the experience to address leaks, conduct appliance repairs, and ensure the air in your home maintains a pse healthy standard.
Identifying the signs of a gas leak
Quickly detecting signs of a gas leak is crucial as they signal immediate danger and are vital for safety. Key indicators of a potential gas leak in your home include:
- you detect a strong scent similar to rotten eggs due to odorants like ethyl mercaptan added to natural gas and LPG
- Hissing, whistling, or roaring sounds coming from gas appliances or lines
- Dirt blowing around gas lines outside
- Browning vegetation or dead plants near gas lines
- Flames coming out of or around gas appliances
- Yellow or orange flames instead of the normal blue
- Higher than normal gas bills
If you notice any of these signs, which could indicate a gas leak your home, you should exit the building immediately and call 000, followed by our gas fitting team on 1300 349 338. Early detection saves lives, so don’t hesitate to call if you suspect any issue with leaking gas in your home or business.
We’ll despatch certified experts to find about natural gas leaks and make repairs as soon as possible.
What to do if you suspect a gas leak
If you suspect a gas leak in your home or business, it is crucial to act quickly and properly to ensure safety. Below are critical steps to take, including when to call your local emergency services:
- Immediately evacuate the area and ensure everyone moves outside. Lead everyone outside, and leave doors open behind you to maximise ventilation. Make it clear that no one should re-enter the building.
- After detecting a gas leak, avoid any actions that could cause a spark, including using switches or electrical appliances. Refrain from smoking or using any items like lighters that could ignite the gas.
- Once safely outside, call 000 to inform emergency services of a potential gas leak. Explain the situation and that you suspect a dangerous gas leak.
- Contact our gas fitting team on 1300 349 338. We have licenced gas experts who are experienced professionals ready to address the leak safely.
- Do not go back inside for any reason until emergency crews have given the all-clear that it is safe to re-enter.
Understand that gas leaks demand immediate expert attention to prevent explosions and health risks. Contact Mortdale Plumbing anytime you detect gas or other leak indicators in your property.
Evacuating the area
If you encounter what could be a gas leak, In the face of a gas leak, evacuate the area immediately. Quickly assemble all occupants and leave the building immediately, keeping doors and windows open for ventilation. Avoid touching electrical switches, appliances, or devices upon leaving to prevent sparks that could ignite the gas.
Avoid using your mobile phone or any other electronic devices until you are at a safe distance away from the building and potential gas leak. Retreat to an outdoor area at a safe distance from the property but still in view, keeping a safe distance in case of an explosion.
Electronic devices can potentially trigger a gas explosion.
Call emergency services on 000 as soon as possible once at a safe location.
You should also contact our gas fitting team on 1300 349 338 so we can send out accredited experts to handle the leak professionally. Let both the emergency operator and our team know if anyone is unaccounted for or still trapped inside so rescuers can assist.
Do not re-enter the property for any reason until emergency crews have resolved the leak and declared it safe to go back inside. Gas leaks can rapidly escalate into fires and explosions, so getting out quickly and avoiding accidental ignition is vital.
Contacting emergency services
Suspecting a gas leak warrants immediate contact with emergency services. Once safe, call 000 swiftly to inform the fire brigade about a potential gas leak. Give the operator your address and provide details of the leak and any individuals still in the property.
You should also call our 24-hour emergency gas fitting service on 1300 349 338. Our licenced technicians will be dispatched promptly to handle the leak and ensure everyone’s safety. Keep our number readily available for fast response when gas issues occur.
After alerting emergency services, inform the gas company to shut off the gas service at the street mains. Make sure you have their emergency contact details readily available, either posted on your fridge or saved on your phone, whenever you use natural gas in your home.
Knowing how to react promptly to potential gas leaks is essential. Early notification alerts first responders to take swift action, ventilate the area, seal the leak source, and prevent catastrophic explosions. It’s imperative to make those calls to 000 and Mortdale Plumbing immediately anytime you suspect your home’s gas safety has been compromised.
Health consequences of gas leaks
Exposure to a natural gas leak can have severe health consequences depending on the type of gas, extent of exposure, and other factors.
Air pollutants from gas leaks can cause:
- Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea are common health impacts where poisoning can emerge as gas leak symptoms from inhaling gas fumes
- Breathing difficulties, wheezing, and aggravated asthma symptoms from exposure to a gas leak
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation from direct contact are symptoms natural gas exposure can trigger
- Severe carbon monoxide poisoning, leading to oxygen deprivation, unconsciousness, brain damage, and potentially death
- Skin irritation and skin blisters can occur from exposure gas to liquid gas coming into contact with bare skin
The most dangerous health impact is the potential for catastrophic explosions and fires linked to dangerous gas combustion products if the gas ignites. Even a small gas leak, if ignored, can place lives and property in grave danger.
Discussions at school public health events often highlight that children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable to the severe health effects of exposure to a gas leak. However, anyone exposed to gas may suffer from immediate and potentially severe public health problems.
If you suspect a gas leak, quickly move to fresh air and call 000 immediately. Swift professional response can mitigate health issues so suspect gas leak and make sure gas safety threats are dealt with urgently by accredited gas fitters.
Asphyxiation & oxygen deprivation
Gas leaks create a high risk of oxygen depletion and asphyxiation. As gas accumulates and leaks into enclosed spaces, it can displace breathable air and cause oxygen levels to drop. This leaves less oxygen available to breathe.
Common symptoms such as nausea dizziness are signs of oxygen deprivation:
- Confusion, disorientation
- Nausea, vomiting
- Rapid breathing and pulse rate
- Weakness, dizziness, fainting
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
Asphyxiation, which can only occur when the body is completely deprived of oxygen, is an urgent medical emergency. Without urgent resuscitation, brain injury or death can occur within minutes. Providing fresh air through ventilation is crucial.
Natural gas leaks can significantly reduce the amount of safe, breathable air, posing a grave risk. Call emergency services immediately if you suspect there gas leak, as evidenced by signs of oxygen deprivation or asphyxiation. Immediate action upon suspecting a gas leak is imperative for saving lives.
Carbon monoxide detectors are vital for alerting you to accumulations of dangerous gases. Proper ventilation, gas appliance maintenance, and immediate response during gas leak incidents will help keep the air in your house safe and contribute to climate change mitigation.
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO), a highly toxic gas, may emanate from faulty gas heaters and other gas appliances. Known as the "silent killer", CO is colourless and odourless when you use gas without specialised detection equipment.
High levels of CO can lead to a range of health issues:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
At its worst, prolonged CO exposure can result in brain damage, seizures, coma, or death. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are especially susceptible to the health effects of CO.
Defective gas stoves, unflued heaters, and wall furnaces can release dangerous levels of CO. We highly recommend installing CO alarms, Professional installation of gas detectors ensures maximum protection and proper placement.
Should your detector activate, or if anyone manifests CO poisoning symptoms, be keen on your symptoms, do suspect gas presence, exit immediately, and call 000. An immediate response from professional plumbers is critical in dealing with this lethal gas.
Preventing gas leaks
There are several key steps you can take to help prevent dangerous gas leaks:
- Have your appliances gas and your gas lines inspected annually by qualified technicians
- Install carbon monoxide and gas alarms in critical points of your gas space, such as near your meter or around hot water systems
- Look for signs of wear and tear and address them early
- Keep the area around gas appliances clear for ventilation
- Do not attempt to fix gas issues yourself; always engage licensed professionals
Maintaining gas safety through the use of quality materials and precise installations is essential for our families’ health. Our licensed plumber team can also handle gas line repairs, appliance installations, leak detection, and more while following strict safety codes.
If you’re concerned about gas safety, call us at 1300 349 338 without delay. Staying on top of inspections and maintenance is the best way to catch and prevent leaks.
Regular appliance maintenance
Regular servicing of gas appliances is essential for preventing accidents and ensuring safe operation. Organise annual servicing for your gas installations and stay alert for any signs of gas problems.
During servicing, technicians will:
- Inspect pipes, connectors and controls for wear and tear
- Ensure correct gas pressure and check for leaks
- Clean components like burners and thermocouples
- Test ignition, shutdown functions, and safety controls
- Check that flues are clear and ventilation is adequate
Stay vigilant even with regular servicing, as unnoticed issues can pose gas safety risks between maintenance intervals. Watch for any decrease in appliance performance, strange sounds or smells, increased condensation inside windows, or pilot lights frequently blowing out. Any of these could indicate a potential gas leak or appliance fault needing urgent attention.
For reliable, licenced servicing of your home gas appliances, contact our team at Mortdale Plumbing on 1300 349 338. Staying on top of maintenance ensures gas systems operate safely for years to come.
Installation of detectors
We strongly advise the installation of both natural gas detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Gas detectors help detect gas presence by triggering an alarm when they sense gas in the air. Carbon monoxide alarms alert you to rising levels carbon monoxide, ensuring timely evacuation.
For best coverage, natural gas can be detected by using gas detectors alongside carbon monoxide alarms, ensuring they are installed on every level of the home, including the basement. Key locations include:
- Near sleeping areas for overnight leak detection
- In rooms with gas appliances like water heater devices, designed for gas cooking
- In common areas like hallways and living rooms
- Near the garage or gas appliance exhaust vents
Place detectors near the ceiling and regularly test them using the 'Test’ button. If your detector chirps, this signals the need for battery replacement or that the device’s lifespan has ended.
Our team can handle professional detector installation and any repairs or replacements needed over time. Functional gas and carbon monoxide detectors add an additional layer of safety to your home.
