Gas leaks are incredibly dangerous, and they’re unfortunately common. Thankfully, there are clear indicators that tell you if you have a gas leak. Discover the common signs of a gas leak in your facility.

Rotten Egg Smell

Natural gas is odorless and colorless. This can make it harder to detect under normal circumstances. Thankfully, utility providers add a harmless substance called methanethiol to natural gas, which gives it a distinct rotten egg smell. If you smell rotten eggs in your facility, it’s probably a sign you have a gas leak somewhere.

Sound Indicators

As gas escapes from a pipe, it tends to make a whistling sound or even a roaring sound if it’s a big enough leak. While it may be hard to hear these sounds in a busy facility, you should still keep an ear out for them.

Visual Signs

Visual signs are some of the most common warnings that there’s a gas leak in your facility. Here are a few of the ones to look out for.

Dead Plants

Natural gas can kill grass, shrubs, and bushes that happen to be near a leak. If you see some of your landscaping plants are dying in one area, you should have a professional inspect the area for a gas leak.

Though you’re unlikely to have houseplants anywhere except reception and personal offices, dying potted plants are also a sign something might be wrong.

Air Movement

When natural gas escapes from a burst line, it pushes up through the soil and may create a breeze-like effect where it escapes into the air. This common sign of a gas leak in your facility may look like wind blowing the leaves of grass or bushes or even a small bubble in the dirt.

If your gas lines run under ponds or puddles of water, you may see bubbles as a sign there’s a broken pipe.

Protecting Your Workplace

If you’re worried about gas leaks in and around your facility, you should consider investing in a handheld gas detector from TG Technical Services. Our detectors can help you monitor unsafe levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and many other gases. Call or email TG Technical Services for help choosing the right detector for keeping your workplace safe.