A gas line inspection is home maintenance service in which a trained professional inspects the quality and wear on gas-operated appliances and equipment. These include gas lines, vents and chimneys, as well as ovens, hot water heaters, boilers and any other device that sends natural gas or liquid petroleum gases (LPG), through your home.
Clogs, blockages or worn parts could be discovered by the inspector. This could lead to leakage. These parts can be cleaned and replaced by some services. The following steps are required for a gas inspection:
- All gas appliances should be visually inspected
- Examine the safety features on the appliances
- All appliances have record gas rates and burner pressures
- Ensure that each appliance can be used in the room.
- For blockages, check the air supply and vents
- Gas lines can be used to measure pressure and flow.
- Look for leaks
During the inspection, you can ask the inspector any questions. For your records, the inspector will give you a written summary of all inspections that day.
What is the length of a gas inspection?
A typical gas line inspection takes between 30 and 1 hour, depending on how large the property is. If they do any extensive repairs, the technician will inform you. If you are required to be present for the inspection, double-check with your inspector. However, most inspections can be done without homeowner presence.
What is the best time to inspect gas lines?
Gas line inspections should be scheduled annually by homeowners to prevent accidents. To ensure safety for tenants, landlords must obtain a gas inspection certificate every year if you rent. In some cases, this responsibility could fall on tenants. Check your lease to verify your role in inspections. You can ensure your safety by ensuring that a gas line inspection is completed within the timeframe before you go to bed at night.
Inspections are best scheduled during summer when gas heating concerns may be off-peak. Winter is when most inspectors are busy with customers who need their heating appliances checked. An inspection for summer can be scheduled with greater flexibility and possibly a lower price.
What should I do if there is a leak?
You should leave your home immediately if you smell sulfur or rotten eggs. This could indicate a gas leak. Natural gas is colorless but odorless. Many gas companies add a chemical called mercaptan to give the gas a sour smell. This allows it to be quickly detected and repaired in the event of a leak.
Another sign of gas leaks is a faint hissing sound from leaking pipes, dead vegetation around the leak, or, in the case underground gas lines, undiscovered dirt that has been pushed up from below the ground.
You should not use any devices that could spark a flame if you suspect there is a leak. Natural gas is flammable, and can ignite. These devices include light switches and telephones as well as computers. After you have removed yourself, your family, and pets, contact your local gas company to turn off the gas and stop any further leakage. The leak should be fixed by a repair service.
Signs of Carbon Monoxide poisoning
Although gas leaks are not always obvious, if there is significant amounts of gas in the air it can cause serious health problems for pets and humans. Animals are more sensitive than humans, and can be affected by chemicals in the air faster. It could be an indication of a leak if your pet shows any of the following symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Gagging
- Appetite loss
- Strange behavior
Exposed to too much natural gases can cause illness in humans. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you notice any symptoms. The symptoms of CO poisoning can look similar to the flu but without the high temperatures. This is an indication of possible leakage if it occurs in multiple household members at the same time. These are the symptoms:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Memory problems
- Balance loss
- Vision impairment
- Dizziness
- Nausea
The more CO gas is inhaled, the more severe symptoms you will experience. Pregnant women and children, people with breathing difficulties or heart conditions, as well as pregnant women and infants, are more likely to be affected by CO gas. It is important to conduct regular inspections of all households that have these items. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recommends installing a carbon Monoxide detector at each floor of a house to prevent unexpected leakages between inspections.