The first thing you need to check when you move into a new house is the pipelines. Operational pipelines should be your priority; everything else comes after. If the pipelines are leaking, whether it is a water pipeline or a gas pipeline, catastrophic incidents might happen, wrecking the entire place along the way.
This practice is not limited to only when you move. Checking the pipelines of your house now and then saves you from numerous troubles. Especially the gas piping. This is because gas leakage can sabotage the safety of your entire house. Someone might get caught on fire, or worse, the whole house can burn down.
Since the fall is approaching, you have a lot of firing up to do. You should run a check on your gas piping and lookout for loopholes. Otherwise, the consequences can be catastrophic. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about gas piping.
How to Detect a Gas Leak?
Natural gas is colorless and odorless. This is why it can be difficult to detect a gas leak. However, it is essential to catch it as soon as possible; otherwise, the damage can be disastrous. Here are some techniques that you can use to detect a gas leak, no matter how big or small it is:
A Weird Smell
Even though natural gas is odorless, they put the smell in so that you can detect the leak if there is any. When the matter gets worse, this smell can mimic the smell of rotten gas prevailing around the house. As the distinctively heavy aroma seems to spread around the house, it indicates a gas leakage. Call a professional immediately.
Deteriorating Plant Health
It might be relatively easy to detect a gas leak indoors; however, if there is a gas leak outside your house, it might be a bit challenging for you. This is because the gas smell can penetrate through the air without making its presence felt. However, the trick is to watch out for your home’s exterior. If you have a lawn filled with plants, you need to look out for the sign of their deteriorating health. If the plants look dead even after proper care, it indicates that somewhere around the house, gas is leaking.
A Sudden Spike in Utility Bills
This factor might be a bit obvious; however, it is worth mentioning. Whenever there is a gas leak that goes unnoticed by you, it directly contributes to the utility bills. You might see a sudden spike in your monthly gas bill, which is a clear indication of a gas leak. This is because, to fulfill the gas needs around the house, you draw more gas than usual, contributing to the ridiculously high gas bill.
Breaking Down the Gas Piping
Here is the list of things you need to know about gas piping to inspect the situation better:
Gas Supply Line
Gas piping found inside the house is called a gas supply line. It distributes the flow of gas around the house and lets you operate your heating appliances safely. Any problem in this line might have a catastrophic effect on your house.
Sediment Trap
A sediment trap is a pipe extension that filters out any foreign material that might mix with the gas and temper with the heat appliances. This pipe extension is approximately three inches long and settles on the top of the connection point.
Connectors
Connectors are basically tiny different materials set out to connect the home appliance to the gas piping. Any loophole in these connectors might disrupt the entire system. The flexible connectors connect appliances to the gas pipeline. However, they can neither go through the walls nor be concealed. However, you can join the connectors to reach the appliance if it is allowed in your area. Check the jurisdiction and act accordingly.
Thread Seal Tape
Thread seal tapes are used as a jointing compound for a steel pipe. However, you need to be mindful of the color. White thread seal tape is often prohibited as it is effective in holding the pipe down. On the other hand, a yellow thread seal tape is effective and recommended by the manufacturers.
3 Things about Gas Piping Every Homeowner Should Know
Every house has its own gas piping system that works well for the building it is installed in. Therefore, every homeowner should be familiar with the following safety protocols:
- In the event of a heavy earthquake, you need to switch off the service to the gas pipeline and protect it against danger. Otherwise, the earthquakes can be responsible for significant damage to your gas piping.
- The smell of gas is added to it as a sign of precaution. You can detect a gas leak by how bad the smell gets. It helps you look out for your house’s safety and saves you from deadly damage.
- If you decide to renovate your kitchen, you don’t have to keep the stove, or any other heating appliance, in place to optimize functionality. You can extend the gas piping as per your choice. It does not affect the appliance’s functionality.
Final Word
Gas piping should be up-to-date and installed properly to avoid unforeseen mishaps. Any loophole might lead to a life-threatening situation. Therefore, you need to check the gas piping of your house at least once a year. However, do not indulge in this business all by yourself. Always call a professional and let them handle everything.