Most people would agree that owning a home is a very rewarding experience and a major life milestone for anyone that achieves it. At the same time, owning a home is a huge responsibility—from the financial requirements of homeownership to the regular maintenance and upkeep that must be done for safety and security reasons.

Among the most hazardous dangers that homeowners face is the possibility of a gas leak. Gas leaks can result in explosions and severe damage to your home, serious health hazards, and even death from carbon monoxide poisoning or other circumstances. Fortunately, there are ways to keep the risks of a gas leak minimized, and to create the safest, most secure environment possible to protect those that live inside your home and visitors on the property.

At Four Seasons Plumbing and Sewer, we’re your local experts in home maintenance with almost 50 years of experience in identifying and fixing gas leaks in homes throughout the Chicago area. For your safety, we’ve provided this guide on how to identify a gas leak to help you keep the people inside your home safe and protected from harm.

How to Identify a Gas Leak

With any potential maintenance issue, there are always signs and symptoms to look out for so you can stay ahead of the problem before it becomes one. A gas leak is no different in that respect, with clear signs that point towards a possible problem with your gas line. Here are some of the most common signs of a gas leak to look out for in your home:

• A Sulfuric or “Rotten Egg” Smell
• Dead or dying houseplants
• Hissing or Whistling Sounds
• Visibly Damaged Gas Pipes
• Excessively dusty or powder-covered gas lines
• Higher than normal utility bills

In addition to these common signs of a gas leak, there can also be health issues for the people and pets within the home. Some of the most known symptoms of a gas leak in the house include:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Ringing in the ears
• Nosebleeds
• Chest pains
• Lack of appetite, weight loss
• Confusion, depression, and other signs of mental disturbances

Gas leaks are considered emergencies and should be treated as such. If you think there’s a gas leak in your home, have everyone inside evacuate the house immediately, including all pets. Leave doors and windows open to help any accumulating gas air out a bit, and call the fire department, utility company, or 911 as soon as you’ve exited the home. If you or other family members(including your pets) are showing signs of health issues from a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning, visit the hospital right away.

If it’s determined that there is a gas leak, your next step is to call a certified plumbing company in your area for an evaluation. An inspection agent will visit your home promptly to identify and repair the faults in your gas lines and make sure it’s safe for you and your family to return to your home.

Fixing a Gas Leak in Chicagoland

Your best bet for preventing a gas leak before it happens or for fixing a gas leak if it already has is to let the professionals handle it for you. At Four Seasons Plumbing and Sewer, we offer our customers high-quality professional pressure testing, thorough home inspections, pipe replacement for broken pipes, and more superior services to help prevent and repair damaged gas lines.

If you’d like to evaluate your home for gas leaks or other safety issues or want more information about our plumbing and sewer services, our team at Four Seasons would love to speak with you. Give us a call now or fill out our online form to schedule a fast, in-home quote.