The gas line of your home is responsible for many functions. Perhaps you have overlooked this feature of your home, because it works quietly doing what it’s supposed to without fail, or have never had any issues. The second a problem with the gas line does surface you will know. A few symptoms of a gas line leak can include:
- Increases in the gas bill
- Strong odors
- Appliance not acting appropriately
- Different sounds
Gas lines are high-pressure hoses that deliver natural gas to your home that operate some features including dryers, water heaters, and the heating source used during winter. A good tip-off that something isn’t right within your gas lines is an increased gas bill. It is tempting to scream at the customer service person at the gas company that something is wrong with your bill, but it is a good indication that there is a leak in your system. A leaking gas line will increase the consumption of natural gas thus increasing your gas bill.
The four common symptoms of a gas line problem indicate that they need to be remedied. Making diagnostics and repairs on your own is tempting. After All who doesn’t love saving money with DIY projects? However, the gas line repair aren’t something you should try and tackle on your own. And here’s why.
The number one reason you shouldn’t try gas line repair as a home improvement/repair project is safety. Natural gas is extremely dangerous and explosive. Inhaling gases can cause lightheadedness, nauseous, and death. For these reasons, it’s crucial to solve any gas leak problems you may have quickly, and not wait. Gas line replacement will be needed if the line is cracked. There is no easier method to repair the problem other than to replace the lines. A qualified plumber can safely remove the older cracked line and replace it with new ones to establish a leak-free gas line.
A leak within the home is one problem, a leak outside the home is another. Gas lines run under your property or underground. To gain access to make repairs or replacement you will need special equipment. A backhoe is needed to dig up the gas line to make repairs in addition to water line repair or water line replacement.
If you aren’t able to diagnose a problem within your home, the chances are that the line running under your home is at fault. A professional plumber will know where to look and how to access the problem. Renting a backhoe to dig up your yard sounds like a good idea, but in reality, it is an expensive endeavor on top of knowing where to look.
Conclusion
Attempting home repairs is an excellent way to save money. Gas line repairs, however, are hard to pinpoint. If a problem exists with the line under your home’s property, it will need to be dug up with expensive equipment. Some professional plumbers offer the service to repair gas lines or install them. You can save yourself a large headache of guessing and possible injury by hiring a professional plumber to identify the problem and make repairs or replacement as needed.