Gas Leaks and How to Avoid the Worst!
By Christian Rodriguez ('23)
You’ve woken up a bit earlier than usual and go downstairs for a bowl of cereal. Once you step out, a reek of foulness hits you like a metal bat. It’s odd, but you assume it must be a skunk or something roaming out in the yard. Better just let it be, it’ll be a massive pain if you’d cause a ruckus over a hint of bad odor. Seems like a rational take, but this mistake could lead to death.
America’s infrastructure is constantly aging, thus failing. It’s no surprise that our piping will follow suit. Seals that connect heating systems and even stoves eventually corrode which can cause a gas leak. In the wild, natural gasses are odorless but they’ve been reformulated to emit a sulfuric odor similar to that of rotten eggs.
Gas leaks have been known to obliterate entire homes within minutes due to their insanely flammable potential. Of course, this is only the case once the original minor leak has been left to marinate into a bomb. In order to prevent this we need to cut off the head before it grows and causes more problems. Which is surprisingly simple.
Poor American infrastructure has many effects on the environment not only gas leaks.
Photo courtesy of CNBC
These are the signs that a gas leak may be occuring in your home!
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
If you notice a gas odor in your home it's important to just get out of the house, and then Call 911. If you suspect a slow leak, an electronic gas leak detector from a local Home Depot can help. It’s affordable and easy to use. Just wave it around near the suspected leak, or watch one of many how-to videos on Youtube. There's plenty of methods that you can do yourself, but opting for professional aid is the best and safest solution. Even a faint hint of sulfur or eggs should be taken with immediate caution, call 991 and/or 1-800-752-6633 for proper help.
Cover photo courtesy of RP Gas Piping
Banner photo courtesy of Martin & Jones , PLLC