When was the last time you thought about your home’s gas line?
It is an overlooked, unseen element to your house’s functionality and livability are on the job 24/7 365 against whatever elements the weather gods throw its way. Gas lines are efficient, multi-dimensional and cost-effective.
Homes simply don’t work without them.
Natural gas, as Fixr.com’s Adam Graham notes, is an “important energy source in many homes.”
Your home’s gas supply runs through a main line from the meter on the street into your home and is routed to different areas by individual lines.
They are built durable and tougher than a two-dollar steak, but like any home service component, gas (and water) lines can weaken and break over time due to damage caused by normal wear and tear, including aging.
Just like no furnace heats forever, no water and gas line can flow for eternity. Lines are prone to leaks, ventilation issues and corroded or damaged gas pipes over time.
Replacing and repairing gas lines can put a stone-cold hurt on your family’s finances.
“Running a natural gas line to your typically costs around $540, and most homeowners see totals that fall between $260 and $820,” Angi’s reports.
Angi’s estimates average gas Line leak repairs for buried lines (repairs include excavation and landscaping) run from $1,500 to $5,000. Forbes notes gas leak repair costs for exposed pipes can run $75-$150 per hour.
Signs of Danger Brewing
The best way to avoid a gas line disaster? Look for the telling signs of impending danger.
Gas Smells: If your home suddenly smells like rotten eggs, your nose is not playing tricks on you. This foul aroma is actually added to gas to assist people in detecting leaks faster. The smell of gas overpowering the smell of pizza in your kitchen’s oven is a clear indication of a gas leak.
Hissing or Whistling Sound: If it sounds like the cold November wind from outside has moved in, it’s for good reason. Hissing or whistling sounds emitting from gas-powered appliances like stoves or heaters are tells of possible gas leak. If you hear them, call an emergency electrical repair technician immediately.
Increased Gas Bills: The worst and most painful sign of a gas line in distress. If you see an alarming spike in your gas bill this month over last month, it’s a bet as sure as Monday comes after Sunday that you have a leak present in your home.
Dizziness, Nausea or Fatigue: Over prolonged periods of time, gas can be toxic. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, fatigue and an overall weakened physical state.
Yellow or Orange Flames: Gas stoves and fireplace flames should burn blue. Yellow or orange flames can indicate incomplete combustion due to a gas supply issue.
Physical Damage: Sometimes, the tells are clear in physical damage to gas lines. Corrosion, rust, dents and cracks are damage signs that can lead to leaks. They must be investigated immediately and thoroughly.
Pilot Light Problems: A dead giveaway of a home gas supply in trouble, the pilot light tells much of the health state of your supply. If it goes out frequently, it’s a true tell of gas line issues that need to be addressed by a professional repair technician.
The Worst Case Scenario
In Case of a Gas Leak …
- Immediately evacuate your home and move a safe distance away
- Avoid using electrical devices, as they may cause a spark
- Call your gas company or a repair technician to locate and repair the leak
Time is of the essence when responding to a gas line issue.
“It is vital to get the gas line repaired immediately when this happens because gas leaks are dangerous,” Graham stresses.
For your gas line is not something you and family can overlook when it’s working hurt.
