In this article, we’ll lead you through gas stove leaks prevention for safe and healthy cooking.
A gas stove leak is, by description, simple and clear. It takes place if a gas line or any gas-burning equipment leaks.
The natural gas oozing from that line or appliance diffuses into the open air. Leaks of natural gas can be highly hazardous.
Natural gas is mostly made up of methane, an asphyxiant that pushes oxygen out of enclosed spaces. When exposed to oxygen, it is extremely flammable and can form explosive materials.
Natural gas stove leaks cause an estimated $133 million in property damage and 17 fatalities each year. These statistics demonstrate that gas leaks are not to be taken lightly.
What Causes a Gas Stove Leak?
- Internal Gas Pipe Corrosion
- Connection Joint Loosening
- Stove Not Properly Fitted
Internal Gas Pipe Corrosion
Moisture from splashed liquid or cleanup of the stove can cause corrosion of the gas pipe, resulting in a gas leak.
To resolve this concern, property owners should properly maintain their stoves regularly can help extend their longevity.
Connection Joint Loosening
The activity of the gas pipe underneath the stove can cause the hose and pipe connection joints to loosen.
Such a problem occurs infrequently but can be extremely dangerous if it does. Gas may fill the entire cabinet, resulting in a small explosion if accidentally ignited.
Stove Not Properly Fitted
If the gas hose leading into the stove is not properly installed, gas can escape. This causes a gas stove leak, which can have serious consequences. As a result, homeowners must have their stoves professionally installed.
How to Detect a Gas Stove Leak
- The presence of a strong smell
- Hissing or whistling sounds near the stove
- Discolored flame
- Expensive gas bill
- The smell of gas after the stove has been turned off
- Dead plants
The presence of a strong smell
The natural gases released into the atmosphere by the stove are odorless and colorless. As a result, manufacturers add methyl mercaptan – an odorant that gives natural gases an unpleasant odor – to make it easier to detect gas leaks.
This serves as a precautionary measure, alerting us to a gas leak that would otherwise go unnoticed. If you notice a persistent unpleasant smell, leave the house immediately and contact a stove repair service to diagnose and repair the gas leak.
Hissing or whistling sounds near the stove
Loose linkage joints can emit a faint whistling sound, indicating a gas leak. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all gas stove leaks make noise.
As a result, property owners should remain vigilant and watch for signs of a potential gas leak. If you notice a persistent odor, leave the house immediately and contact a stove repair service to diagnose and repair the gas leak.
Discolored flame
A discolored flame is an indication of a gas leak. When a gas stove is ignited, the burner flame should be blue. A flame that is consistently yellow or orange, on the other hand, is abnormal and indicates a gas leak.
Expensive gas bill
One more way to tell if your stove is leaking gas is to compare your gas bills over two to three months. If you observe an unexpected price increase, there could be a gas leak.
The smell of gas after the stove has been turned off
There is most likely a gas leak if you can smell gas even when the stove knobs are turned off.
Dead plants
Plants are extremely sensitive to gas accumulation. As a result, dead indoor plants may indicate a gas leak that requires immediate attention.
What to Do If Your Gas Stove is Leaking
- Evacuate the house
- Open the Windows and Doors
- Call the utility company
- Employ A Professional To Repair Your Stove
- Avoid contact with fire and electricity
Evacuate the house
If you suspect a gas leak, your first primary concern should be to evacuate everybody in the house. This ensures their safety and prevents them from inhaling more gas, putting them at risk of gas poisoning.
Open the windows and doors
Leave your windows and doors open as you leave your home. This improves ventilation, allowing the gas to dissipate within your home. Ideally, you should air out your house until the odor of gas inside is no longer detectable.
Call the utility company
If you suspect a gas leak, invite the utility company’s emergency service hotline. The company will send a response team to your home to survey it, track down the point of the gas leak, and fix it. Call from a safe distance away from your home, which could cause the gas to catch fire.
However, if you make use of a gas cylinder, you should contact an experienced professional to help resolve the issue.
Employ A Professional To Repair Your Stove
You can also hire a qualified repair technician to fix or replace your broken stove.
Avoid contact with fire and electricity
Turning on electrical devices or lighting a flame can cause the gas to ignite, resulting in an explosion. So, be sure to avoid turning on any appliances.
How to Prevent Gas Stove Leaks
- Make sure burners are turned off completely
- Ensure burners light every time
- Know-how to re-light your pilot light (if you have one)
- Place a gas detector near the bedroom
- Check the line with a gas leak detector
Make Sure Burners Are Turned Off Completely
The most common source of gas leaks in the home is leaving a burner on. When a gas burner is turned on, gas flows out of the burner valves.
When ignited, the gas burns cleanly and safely away. However, if the gas is not on fire, it will not burn away. Instead, it will flood the room. Suffocation and explosion are both risks posed by gas in the air.
Ensure Burners Light Every Time
Burners that do not light are another source of leaks. When you turn on a gas burner, there is a critical moment when you hear the clicking, and the gas ignites.
Some gas stoves have a pilot light, while others have an electric spark. Whatever mechanism is used, it is critical that your stove light every time. If the gas does not ignite, it fills the space.
Know-How to Re-Light Your Pilot Light (if you have one)
Check if your gas cooker uses a pilot light; it is a tiny flame used to light all burners and possibly the oven heating when needed.
If the pilot light in your stove goes out, your burners will not be able to ignite. When the burners are turned on without ignition, they will only leak natural gas instead of lighting and producing heat to cook with.
Place a Gas Stove Leak Detector Near the Bedroom
Because natural gas does not emit carbon monoxide or smoke, a CO or smoke detector will not detect a gas leak.
No matter how meticulous you are with maintenance and burners, there is always the risk of a leak occurring independently or by accident.
An explosive gas detector protects against this. This detector, which can be plugged in near your stove, will notify the entire family if there is a detectable amount of natural gas in the air.
Check the Line with a Gas Stove Leak Detector
Because natural gas does not emit carbon monoxide or smoke, a CO or smoke detector will not detect a gas leak.
No matter how meticulous you are with maintenance and burners, there is always the risk of a leak occurring independently or by accident.
An explosive gas detector protects against this. This detector, which can be plugged in near your stove, will notify the entire family if there is a detectable amount of natural gas in the air.
Conclusion
Gas stove leaks should not be ignored; even if you believe you have a minor leak, you should address it immediately if you detect the odor of gas in your home.
First, get everyone out of the house and open all doors and windows. Afterward, leave the house and turn off the gas at the meter.
Turn off or remove all ignition sources in the home, including cigarettes, mobile phones, and general electrical equipment.
Call your state’s emergency number and tell them where the leak is and any other information you believe is relevant.
