Have an gas line emergency? Call 972-395-2597 for gas line specialist anytime!
Think You Have a Gas Leak? Here’s What to Do
If you smell natural gas in your home or you spot other signs of a gas leak, there are two important steps to take right away.
1. Evacuate
Immediately head outside, and make sure everyone else at home does too. Don’t stop for any reason. If there’s a significant accumulation of gas indoors, even a tiny spark could ignite it—and a spark can be generated simply by flicking a light switch.
DO NOT:
- Try to find the source of the leak
- Turn off appliances or lights
- Open windows
- Make any phone calls
If you suspect a significant gas leak, your number one priority is to evacuate the home. Don’t do anything else until everyone is outside.
2. Call for Help
Once everyone is outside and at a safe distance, call for help.
Emergency services: Call 911 first to contact your local fire department.
Gas provider: Call your gas provider’s emergency line for advice on any other steps you need to take.
Plumber: In Texas, plumbers are certified to investigate and repair gas leaks and test the system to verify no other leaks are present. After the gas has been shut off and the family is safe, call CW Service Pros. We can get started on locating the source of the leak.
Can a Carbon Monoxide Detector Detect a Natural Gas Leak?
No, a carbon monoxide detector cannot detect a gas leak. Natural gas is a fuel. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct of burning fuel.
Gas Line Repair vs. Gas Line Replacement
Gas line repair and gas line replacement are two different options that may be available to fix a leak on your gas system. If your gas line has sustained damage that could lead to a leak in future, then either of these two options might be used to fix the problem. Which option is right for your situation mostly depends on the extent of the damage. Your CW Service Pro will advise you as to the best repair method.
If the gas line has sustained only a small amount of damage, then a spot repair might be all that’s necessary. If the gas line has sustained a significant amount of damage or is damaged in multiple places, spot repairs may not be possible. In this case, it might be necessary and more cost effective to replace the line altogether.
Call CW Service Pros for Carrollton Gas Line Repair and Gas Line Replacement
If you suspect a gas leak in your home, your home gas supply must be turned off before the gas line repair can start. You’ll need to go through a specific process to have the gas line repaired and get your gas turned back on. This includes getting a permit and scheduling an inspection. Don’t worry! CW Service Pros will take care of both requirements for you.
The 6 Steps of Repairing a Line After a Gas Leak
- Call your utility company or fire department to get the gas turned off if you believe the leak is significant.
- Call CW Service Pros. We will arrange a permit for your gas line repair.
- We’ll locate the source of the leak and determine how best to repair it. Depending on the nature of the leak, this could mean gas line repair, or it could require replacing portions of the gas line.
- Once we’ve performed the gas line repair or replacement, we’ll verify the leak is fixed, the pressure is holding steady on the line, and it’s safe to turn the gas on.
- We’ll arrange for an inspection with the city building inspector to verify the leak is fixed and installed properly, as well as is free of leaks.
- Once the inspection is completed and approved, the plumbing inspector will notify your gas company that they can safely turn the gas back on to your home.
What Is a Gas Leak?
Natural gas is an energy-efficient source of fuel, provided the system is maintained and used responsibly. There are hazards associated with natural gas use that can arise in the event of a gas leak.
Natural gas is flammable and combustible, meaning it can both burn and explode. It’s also hazardous to breathe. Because of these safety issues, gas lines and gas appliances are carefully constructed so the gas they use is contained, usually in a combustion chamber within the appliance.
A gas leak occurs when a gas supply line or a gas appliance malfunctions in a way that lets gas escape from its confinement. If this happens, gas accumulates in the home and can be hazardous in a couple different ways:
What Appliances Use Natural Gas?
Many common household appliances can run on either electricity or gas. Choosing gas is an attractive option for many households because gas appliances typically have lower operating costs than those that run on electricity.
Appliances that can run on natural gas include:
- Oven/range
- Furnace
- Hot water tank
- Tankless water heater
- Clothes dryer
- Fireplace or fire pit
- Outdoor grill
Homes that use gas-powered appliances are connected via a gas line to the underground supply line that distributes gas around the city. The home’s main gas line distributes gas to each of the different appliances that need it. Each appliance has its own supply line, which is connected to the home’s main gas line.
4 Signs of a Gas Leak
If your home uses natural gas or LP (liquid petroleum) gas, it’s vitally important to know the signs of a gas leak. While gas leaks aren’t a common occurrence, if you have a gas line in your home, there is a risk of a gas leak. Knowing the signs of a gas leak can help you and your family stay safe.
1. Rotten Egg Smell
Natural gas itself has no odor, so gas companies mix it with a sulfur-smelling gas that has an odor like rotten eggs. This makes it much easier to know when you have a leak. If you smell that telltale rotten-egg smell, take immediate action.
2. Hissing Sound
A hissing noise or a high-pitched whistling sound can indicate a gas leak. The noise is most noticeable when you are close to the source of the leak—either a gas line or a gas-using appliance.
3. Dead Plants or Grass
If you have an indoor gas leak, you may notice your indoor plants are dying or appear unhealthy. The closer the plants are to the source of the leak, the more likely they’ll be affected.
If the leak is outside, the lawn or plants near the source of the leak may:
- Be discolored
- Look unhealthy
- Die
4. Higher Gas Bill
Not all gas leaks have obvious signs, and it’s possible for a slow leak to go undetected. That’s why it’s helpful to keep an eye on your gas bill and to know what your normal level of usage is like for each month or season. If you spot an unexplained increase in your gas use, you may have an undetected gas leak.
What Causes a Gas Leak?
Gas leaks can develop in a home for a number of reasons:
Poor Installation
If your gas line installation or appliance hookup had poor workmanship or a faulty part, it may have vulnerable points where a gas leak can develop. These include the flex lines, connections, and in and around the appliance itself.
Solution: Prevent this problem by hiring an experienced service provider to install your gas line or gas-powered appliances. In Carrollton and the DFW area, you can trust CW Service Pros to install your appliances safely, so you enjoy all the benefits of using natural gas!
Natural Gas Poisoning
Natural gas exposure can cause a range of symptoms, including:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Memory loss
- Nausea
High-level exposure ultimately causes loss of consciousness and can be fatal.
Combustion Hazard
Natural gas can be ignited by a single spark. If enough gas has accumulated in an area, it can cause a significant explosion.
Lack of Maintenance
Neglecting maintenance on a gas-powered appliance like a water heater, a furnace, and more may result in a gas leak in some situations. This can happen with a clothes dryer if the appliance is off-balance, as excessive vibration or motion can affect the integrity of the gas line.
Solution: For gas line maintenance in North Texas, call CW Service Pros. We can check your appliances, make sure the gas lines are in good condition and perform any needed maintenance or gas line repairs.
Yard Work
When digging near an underground gas line, you risk damaging the line, which may cause a leak.
Solution: If you’re planning a project that involves digging in your yard, call 811 or head to https://texas811.org/ to find out where your utility lines are buried. Make sure to do this at least two business days before starting the work. Once all the relevant utility companies have responded, you can plan where to dig to avoid the gas line.
Call CW Service Pros for Residential Gas Line Repair in Lewisville & Surrounding DFW Areas
Natural gas is safe to use in the home, but it’s important to understand the hazards it can pose. When you need gas line repair or gas leak location services, you need to know you can trust the team of licensed professionals providing those services. We proudly serve Lewisville, Plano, Carrollton, and surrounding areas.
You can rely on CW Service Pros. We’ve been providing natural gas line repair services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for well over two decades. We’re experts at handling those situations where special care is needed. Whether you have a gas leak that needs attention or you want a new gas line for an appliance, outdoor grill, or furnace, you can count on CW Service Pros to do the work promptly and efficiently.
Need a New Residential Gas Line Installed? Call CW Service Pros for Expert Service
Are you building a home and interested in installing a new gas line? Are you installing a new gas-powered appliance and want to make sure it’s hooked up properly? Whether it’s a new gas furnace, a gas oven or range, an outdoor gas grill or fire pit, or a pool, CW Service Pros has the expertise and skill to install your new gas line and appliance hookup.
First, we’ll locate the existing main gas supply. Then we’ll fit a new gas line extension to connect up your new appliance. We’ll complete the installation and get it up and running for you to enjoy.
Note: A city inspection and release for gas service is needed for any installation or repair of a new gas line. CW Service Pros permit department will pull the permit and schedule the inspection as part of the job.
Why Choose CW Service Pros?
CW Service Pros has the experience and expertise to ensure your home gas line and appliances are safe to use. When you choose CW Service Pros, here’s how you benefit:
20+ years in business: We’ve been a plumbing company in business in North Texas since 2000, serving residents of Plano, Lewisville, Carrollton, and the greater DFW area. Our clients trust us to do the best work, and we’re happy to oblige!
Fast service: We offer same-day appointments, and make every effort to accommodate urgent calls.
24/7 emergency service: We’re on call 24/7 for emergencies. If your gas has been shut off due to a leak, we can get started on gas line repair or shut down your system in the middle of the night, if necessary.
Expert plumbers: Our plumbing pros are highly experienced, with the expertise and attention to detail that’s needed to safely install a gas line or perform a gas line repair.
Clear pricing: We’ll give you a written estimate before we start the job, with no surprise fees or hidden costs.
Permits: Gas line installation and gas leak repair typically require a permit or inspection. If a permit or inspection is needed for your job, we’ll take care of all the details for you.
Satisfaction guaranteed: We’ll always go the extra mile to ensure you’re happy with our work.
For Residential Gas Line Services in DFW, Contact CW Service Pros
Gas line repair is best left to your local professional plumbing team! For gas line repair, gas line replacement, or a new gas line installation, call CW Service Pros. Our licensed Plano plumbers offer safe and reliable service you can count on.
CW Service Pros is proud to offer gas line repair and plumbing services in North Texas, including Plano, Lewisville, Flower Mound, and the surrounding neighborhoods. For gas line repair, replacement, and installation, call CW Service Pros!
We Service the Following Cities:
Farmers Branch
Hebron
Hickory Creek
Highland Park