No homeowner wants to hear that they have a gas leak, but this is one problem you can’t ignore. Gas leaks are much more than an annoyance; they’re dangerous and sometimes deadly. If you think you might have a gas leak, how can you know for sure?

Below, learn how to test a gas line for a leak, then call us for heating services in Ashland, MA.

How To Test a Gas Line for a Leak

There are a few ways to test for a gas leak, some easier than others. The easiest way is to install a carbon monoxide detector near the gas line. Carbon monoxide detectors pick up minute concentrations of CO gas in the air. If the device detects a leak, it will sound a loud and very obvious alarm. When you hear this alarm, leave the house and turn off the gas at the shutoff valve.

If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector (get one ASAP!), try relying on your senses. Natural gas doesn’t have an odor, but gas companies add a chemical to it to help homeowners detect leaks. The stench is commonly described as rotten eggs and smells downright terrible.

If the leak is bad enough, you might hear a hissing noise when you put your ear close to the gas line. You can also try using an ultrasonic leak detector, which picks up on the high-pitched noises gas makes as it escapes pipes or a gas sniffer device.

Need to know how to test a gas line for a leak but don’t have access to any high-tech CO detector tools? No problem. Try the soapy water test, also called the bubble test. To perform it, mix a few drops of dish soap into a cup of water. Wipe or spray the soap solution over the pipe where you suspect a leak. If there’s a gas leak, it’ll cause the solution to bubble.

If you’re still unsure whether you have a leak, call our pros to perform pressure testing. It’s by far one of the most reliable ways to find gas leaks in your home.

Other Signs You’ve Got a Gas Leak in Your Ashland, MA, Home

The above tests aren’t the only ways to determine whether you’ve got a gas leak. If you’re still wondering how to test a gas line for a leak, look for these signs:

  • You’ve felt as though you’re coming down with the flu for a couple of weeks now. Strangely, though, your symptoms go away when you leave the house. If you experience severe fatigue, headaches, nausea, or confusion only while in your home, it’s a big sign of a gas leak.
  • Your pilot light flame is yellow rather than blue as it’s supposed to be, or the flame won’t come on at all. Modern furnaces have a failsafe that shuts off the pilot light when they detect a gas leak.
  • You spot scorch marks or soot around appliances. If you see soot, turn off the device and call us for help immediately.
  • Your plants are wilting or dying. Think of plants as canaries in a coal mine that alert you if something is wrong with your gas line.
  • Your gas bills are abnormally high. Unless you’re using the heat more than usual, high gas bills could indicate that your furnace is running harder to compensate for the leak.

Why It’s Always Best To Call the Experts in Ashland, MA

If you think you have a gas leak, never try to repair the problem yourself. Leaking gas is incredibly dangerous and could catch on fire or even cause an explosion. It’s much better to call us to perform pressure testing and gas leak repair instead.

Expert technicians can also find gas leaks that you otherwise would have missed. Just because you don’t smell or hear gas doesn’t mean that you don’t have a leak. We have the tools and expertise needed to find gas leaks wherever they hide.

Why trust us for gas leak detection and repair? We’re family-owned and operated, and we’ve been in business since 1975, so we truly know our stuff.

Wondering How To Test a Gas Line for a Leak the Easy Way? Call Us!

Stop wondering how to test a gas line for a leak and count on our expert techs at A&L Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Inc. Contact us to schedule gas leak detection and repair now.