Every homeowner needs to be proactive to ensure their gas lines are in proper working order. Faulty, damaged, or broken gas lines pose a serious threat to the lives and health of everyone in the home. Here are a few common signs of gas line problems, any one of which demands an immediate call to a professional.

How to Tell if You Have a Broken Gas Line

1. Strange Odors

Natural gas is odorless, but utility providers inject the gas supply with mercaptan, a harmless but potent-smelling substance that alerts you to potential problems. Mercaptan makes gas smell pungent and unpleasant; the scent is usually described as sulfuric, akin to rotten eggs or cabbage. If you notice strange odors like this, it’s likely an issue with the gas line that needs prompt attention by an expert.

2. Dead or Dying Plants

In some cases, gas leaks may be so tiny that the telltale mercaptan odor is virtually undetectable. However, there may be visual evidence of the leak, such as dead or dying houseplants. If you generally take good, diligent care of your plants, but they're clearly struggling, a gas line issue may be the cause. Usually, this is something that will affect all or most houseplants—not just one of them.

3. Faulty Appliances

From HVAC systems and hot water heaters to stoves and ovens, there are a number of household appliances that run on gas. If you own any of these items and they are consistently breaking down or not heating properly, the gas line could be to blame.

Never take chances and wait when it comes to a potential gas line issue. Contact a technician right away. The heating contractors at Muotka Mechanical have been serving property owners throughout the Anchorage, AK, area for nearly two decades. In addition to gas line repairs, they offer boiler, water heater, and furnace installations and service, as well as air duct cleaning and sheet metal fabrication. Call (907) 344-8825 to speak with a professional, or visit their website to learn more about their services.