Q: What are the signs of a gas leak?

• <div>Having gas appliances in your home can be convenient&mdash;you benefit from faster water heating, more efficient clothes drying, and more affordable home heating. However, you need to be aware of the signs of a gas leak so that you and your family can take precautions to be safe around these versatile appliances. Signs of a gas leak include:<ul><li>Hissing sounds</li><li>Rotten egg smell</li><li>Higher than usual gas usage</li><li>Physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea</li></ul></div>

Question 1

Can I fix a gas leak myself?

Accepted Answer

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No, homeowners should never attempt to fix a gas leak themselves. Gas leaks pose serious health and fire hazards. Exposure to leaking gas can make you sick, and accumulated gas can ignite and explode. So always take leaks seriously and seek the help of a pro right away. While you may be able to detect a gas leak, always call a licensed professional to handle repairs and replacements.

Question 2

Can you vent a gas water heater out the side of the house?

Accepted Answer

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You can and should vent the gas from your hot water heater to the outside of your home. Traditionally, these gases were vented back to other gas appliances, like stoves or furnaces, but many jurisdictions have outlawed this practice due to the risks it provides.

Most water heaters today use atmospheric venting that exhausts the gas out of the home through a pipe.

Question 3

What are the signs of a gas leak?

Accepted Answer

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Having gas appliances in your home can be convenient—you benefit from faster water heating, more efficient clothes drying, and more affordable home heating. However, you need to be aware of the signs of a gas leak so that you and your family can take precautions to be safe around these versatile appliances.

Signs of a gas leak include:

Hissing sounds
Rotten egg smell
Higher than usual gas usage
Physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea

Signs of a gas leak include:

Hissing sounds
Rotten egg smell
Higher than usual gas usage
Physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea

Question 4

What causes a gas grill to stop working?

Accepted Answer

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A few potential problems can cause your gas grill to stop working:

Burners aren’t properly aligned.
Food debris is clogging the burners.
Hose connections may be blocked.
Burners may not be getting enough gas.
Gas valve is not working properly.

If you’re experiencing any of those problems with your gas grill, hire a local grill repair professional to inspect your grill for issues and implement a plan to resolve them.

Question 5

Can you plant a tree over a gas line?

Accepted Answer

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No, you cannot plant a tree above a gas line. Tree roots grow and spread over time and can sometimes dent, crack, or penetrate a gas line. Those same roots may also cause accessibility problems for maintenance or repairs. You can generally plant vegetation with non-invasive root systems, low-growing vegetation, and flower beds near gas lines.