When your water heater smells like gas, you need experienced professionals to handle the problem. Call Green Energy Mechanical Inc. at (781) 236-3421 for 24/7 emergency services.
Multiple home appliances use gas to fuel their functions. While gas provides an effective fuel source, it also comes with myriad hazards. The smell of gas often indicates an emergency.
If you smell gas coming from your water heater, you need to take the appropriate actions to ensure your family’s safety. As Canton’s water heater repair experts, we created a brief guide to demonstrate how you should respond when your water heater malfunctions. Find out what you should do in the event of a gas leak below.
#1 Recognize the Signs
First, you should recognize the signs of danger in your home. When your water heater has a gas leak, you might notice the following:
- A strong odor that resembles sewage, oil, or burning. You may also detect a rotten egg smell in your tap water.
- A faint whistling or hissing sound
- Dead foliage surrounding the area of the gas leak
- Symptoms like fatigue, nausea, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or headaches. These symptoms usually occur when your water heater is located indoors.
If you notice these signs, take affirmative action immediately. They can indicate the presence of carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide gas, and other toxic leaks.
However, not all gas leaks come with obvious warning signs. Natural gas has no scent or color. Install a carbon monoxide detector or another warning system to alert you to any gas-related problems in your home.
#2 Cut the Water Heater’s Gas Supply
If you can safely cut the gas supply from your water heater, do so. This prevents more gas from leaking out of the heater. It also minimizes exposure for anyone in the house.
If you don’t know the gas supply’s location, proceed to the next steps quickly. Otherwise, prepare for future emergencies by learning your gas supply’s location. This step could save your property from destruction.
#3 Increase Airflow By Opening All Windows and Doors
While your family prepares to evacuate the house, open the doors and windows to improve airflow. Doing so allows the gas to dissipate from your home, lessening the chances of explosion or fire. It also makes the air in your home more breathable.
When gas leaks affect your home, the gas expands and travels throughout each room. The smallest spark can ignite, causing a devastatingly destructive explosion. Explosions can have fatal consequences for your family and neighbors.
#4 Evacuate Your Family and Pets From The Building
After opening the windows and doors in your home, guide your family out of the building. Move at least 300 feet away from your property. Remember to evacuate and contain your pets if possible.
When your water heater smells like gas, you need professionals to handle the problem. Do not attempt to investigate the leak’s source or repair the problem yourself.
#5 Contact Your Local Emergency Services
Once you, your family, and your pets are a safe distance away, call your local emergency services. Firefighters can investigate the house to determine whether you can safely re-enter. Paramedics can check everyone’s health and transport overexposed individuals to the hospital if needed.
Evaluations from emergency services will determine when you can safely take the next step. Sometimes, firefighters can find the source of the gas smell and provide pertinent information to professional plumbers. You can also get peace of mind knowing that your family evacuated without any serious health consequences.
#6 Call an Emergency Plumbing Service
After firefighters give you the all-clear, do not turn the gas back on. Call an emergency plumbing service.
When professional plumbers enter your home, they will do the following:
- Inspect your water heater for signs of physical damage
- Pressurize the connections to find small leaks
- Safely and effectively repair the leak
- Test your system to determine whether your water heater emits a gas smell anywhere else
Once your emergency plumbers complete their service, they’ll turn your gas supply back on.
Call Green Energy Mechanical Inc. for Repairs When Your Water Heater Smells Like Gas
If your water heater smells like gas, contact our professional plumbers at Green Energy Mechanical Inc. immediately after calling emergency services. Our plumbers will ensure your and your family’s safety.
Call our Green Energy Mechanical Inc. team at (781) 236-3421 at any time of day or night. We can inspect your water heater, repair it, and light your water heater safely to ensure your family remains safe and comfortable.
Author Bio:
Jonathan Neves
Worked in the HVAC industry since he was 17. He started as an HVAC service technician for commercial buildings and eventually came into the residential market because of his love of working with people. He believes that what really sets Green Energy Mechanical apart is how long they stand behind their work and how compassionate his employees are for their clients.
