It’s important for everyone in your family to be educated about gas leaks, as a leak in or around the home can be quite dangerous. Even if it doesn’t ignite, a natural gas leak can, at certain levels, kill you through suffocation. In much the same manner that carbon monoxide can kill by preventing the body from absorbing oxygen, natural gas or LPG in the air at high concentrations can have the same effect.

Dead Plants

Even though you can’t directly observe the gas lines underneath the soil, if there is a noticeable patch of dead vegetation, you may have a leaking gas pipe underneath.

Hissing Sound

If you hear a hissing sound near your gas lines, you might have a gas leak. In fact, a hissing sound normally means you have a substantial leak. If you hear a hissing sound near your A/C, then it could be a leaking refrigerant line, a leaking valve, or a bad compressor. Turn your system off and call a professional to come to check it out. Odd sounds coming from your HVAC system are never a good sign.

Rotten Egg Smell

Natural gas and propane have a distinctive smell for a reason. For safety purposes, utility companies use an additive called mercaptan that gives the colorless and odorless gases a smell that is hard to miss. Most people describe this smell like something like rotten eggs, sewage, or sulfur.

Small Bubbles

One quick way to tell if you have a gas leak is to perform the bubble test. This also works for anything that contains pressurized gas, such as tires, inner tubes, and propane tanks.

• Mix a small amount of dish soap into a large container of water.
• Make sure the gas is on.
• Using a cloth or sponge, wipe down the suspected area.
• If you see bubbles forming, that means you have a leak!

If you see bubbles forming in wet areas around your home, you may have an underground gas leak. Other signs might include dirt getting kicked up in the air or the presence of fog or mist.

White Mist Or Fog

If you see an unusual cloud of mist or fog around your property, it could mean a ruptured gas line. Call your gas company right away.