How Can You Know If Your Furnace Has A Gas Leak? 4 Signs You Cannot Ignore

Natural gas furnaces are one of the best heating units on the market. This is because they work well, are more budget-friendly, and will meet your heating needs with minimal glitches. However, like all other heating systems, the gas furnace is prone to wear and tear. In such a case, a leak is one of the worst things that can affect your furnace because it is a fire hazard. Here are some ways to tell when your unit is leaking.

A Strong Bad Egg Smell

A common belief is that gas smells like spoiled eggs. However, this is not entirely correct because propane does not smell. However, before delivering it to households, utility providers add a gas with a distinct odor to propane. Note that it has an odor reminiscent of sweaty workout socks or eggs. So, if you smell something unpleasant in your home, you probably have a leak, especially if it's strongest near or around the heating unit.

Mysterious Plant Deaths

Your houseplants might alert you to leaks in the home. Note that indoor plant life is particularly vulnerable to propane seepage. This is because the roots of the plants cannot take up as much water and nourishment from the toxic environment. Instead, they start to wilt and eventually die due to this. So, have a technician assess your unit if your plants are withering away despite proper care.

Mysterious Illnesses with Respiratory Symptoms

Propane is harmful to your health if inhaled in high amounts. While exposure to propane for short periods of time may not result in any symptoms, staying in a home with leakage for a long time can result in illness. Signs of exposure include vomiting, dizziness, weariness and fatigue, and migraines, which are similar to those of the flu. Also, it is not uncommon for pets to show signs of illness before their owners do. So, consider the possibility that a furnace gas leak is the cause of your pet's mysterious ailment.

Audible Hisses in the System

Openings or cracks can form in the piping that delivers gas into your home over time. If this is the case, you might notice a hissing sound that comes from the rapid escape of gas from the cracks in the pipes. That said, it could be difficult to detect these hissing sounds with the heater running, so you may want to turn the heat off first.

Consult a furnace repair contractor to help you deal with any issues your system might develop when it comes to gas leaks. They will perform timely repairs, prevent illnesses and protect your home from fire hazards.

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