GAS LEAK DETECTION IN COSTA MESA
If you believe you smell a Natural Gas leak or if The Gas Company shut off the gas supply to your home or business and told you to call a plumber, you are on the right page. Our plumbers are experts in the art of trouble shooting gas leaks, and with the help of an Electronic Gas Sniffer we can quickly identify the source of the problem, so that we can provide an estimate for a safe, legal repair.
What to Do if You Suspect a Gas Leak
Whether you are absolutely certain or have little more than a nagging suspicion, gas leaks should be treated with urgency and extreme caution. The first thing you should do is get away from the source of the leak. Below we have outlined the best course of action for dealing with a natural gas leak at business or home in Costa Mesa.
- Immediately evacuate the property! Once you are in a safe location, far away from the leak, call either call 911 or SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200
- At all costs you should refrain from smoking, lighting a match, candle, lighter, or any other flame anywhere within the general proximity of the leak.
- Do not switch on electrical appliances, light switches, or plugin or unplug cords from outlets. Even the smallest spark can turn a moderate gas leak into a severe explosion.
Once you and your family are out of the home at a safe distance, it is recommended that you put in a call to the local gas company. Their website can be accessed at the following link: https://www.socalgas.com/stay-safe/emergency-information/natural-gas-leaks, their number is listed above.
Gas Leak Warning Signs
In it’s natural state, the natural gas that enters homes in Southern Calfornia would not emit any odor whatsoever. It is actually the perogative of SoCalGas to add the unpleasant “gas smell” to the gas it feeds into your home. This is done as a safety precaution to help homeowners detect the presence of a gas leak as quickly as possible. However, relying on the small test alone is not adviseable.
Additional signs of a natural gas leak:
Physiological symptoms of natural gas leak exposure:
Gas Leak Prevention Strategies
One of the best ways to help to avoid gas leaks in your home is to have gas-burning appliances and gas pipelines inspected by a local plumbing company. Most of the time gas leaks that occur could have prevented if the following steps were taken before the leak occured.
Arrange an annual plumbing inspection
An annual plumbing inspection can do far more than give you and your family peace of mind. It can protect your property from costly plumbing catastrophes and go a long way to keep your loved ones safe.
Ensure sufficient ventaliation
Making sure that all gas-burning appliances are equipped with proper ventalation is crucial. It will prevent natural gas from building up in small areas and becoming ignited
Have carbon monoxide detectors installed
It is part of the State of California’s apartment requirements that an active carbon monoxide detector be installed in every unit. This is good advice for single family homes as well. Carbon monoxide detectors look nearly identical to smoke detectors and function in the same way, too. Having a detector installed in each floor of the home and in each bedroom is the general recommendation.