Natural gas is an elemental source of energy in the home. Pipeline contractors plan meticulously to ensure the safe and reliable supply of natural gas to your home. It requires them to install a series of pipes through neighbourhoods to guarantee the satisfaction of the consumers. This maze of pipes includes flowlines, transmission lines, distribution lines, gathering lines and service lines, all of which play different roles.
As you would expect with any pipework, unexpected leaks can occur after the pipes have been in place for some time. A professional should repair such leaks, but you can prevent possible catastrophes by doing the following things in case of an emergency:
Cut-off the Main Supply
If you notice a natural gas leak in your home, the first thing you need to do is cut off the main gas supply to your home. This helps you achieve two things. First, you reduce the risk of fire outbreak just in case the natural gas encounters a live flame or sparks. Secondly, you can inspect or carry out contingency repairs on the leaking gas pipes safely after cutting the mains supply.
Inspect the Pipe
After cutting off the mains supply, you need to examine the pipe work thoroughly for cracks, holes and hairlines. You should also look out for any other irregularly shaped and deformed sections of the pipework. During the inspection, it is advisable to use protective wear such as sunglasses and gloves. The leaking pipes might contain some traces of natural gases, which is hard to detect because it is odourless and colourless. However, exposure to compressed natural gas lying in the pipe can lead to numbness of the skin and blistering. To add on that, make sure that the area has good ventilation. Natural gas contains methane, which displaces oxygen from the air and causes hypoxia. You might experience headaches, poor vision and fatigue.
Seal the Holes
Once you have identified the source of the leaks, you can seal the cracks and fissures to prevent further wastage of the gas. This is necessary in cases where the repairer might take some time to get to your home. Grab some pipe sleeves from a nearby plumbing store and be sure to ask for sleeves preserved for gas pipes. Preferably, you should refrain from buying plaster and mortar sleeves, as they do not work well on natural gas pipes. Instead, go for epoxy-resin based pipe sleeves for the best results.
