Help, I think I have a Leak! What Do I Do?
A leak, whether a water leak or gas leak, is never good. For obvious reasons, a gas leak is much more worrisome than a water leak, but nevertheless, any kind of leak needs to be detected and fixed as soon as possible.
If you think you have a leak in your home, there are specific measures and steps you should take for both your safety and the well-being of your family and home.
As qualified plumbers and gas fitters on the Gold Coast, Tomkinson Plumbing and Gas can detect and repair water leaks and gas leaks. However, not all plumbers can do this. They have to hold a gas works licence to also work with gas, and when time is of the essence, you need to know whom to call in times of need.
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Contact Local Plumbing & Gas today for all your Gold Coast blocked drains, emergency plumbing, leak detection, gas fitting, hot water, and backflow testing needs.
In this article, I cover what to do if you suspect you have a water leak or a gas leak to help you seek the right help immediately.
What To Do If You Suspect a Gas Leak
A suspected gas leak is most commonly detected by the smell of gas around your home. If you’re unfamiliar with the smell of gas, it is best described as smelling like a rotten egg.
If you suspect you have a gas leak on the Gold Coast, your safety should be your number one priority. The first step is to locate your natural gas meter box and turn off the gas supply. Once you have turned off the gas supply to your property, turn off all appliances, including electrical appliances and other ignition sources such as pilot lights, electrical switches, and matches. Now that there is no immediate threat, you will want to call a licensed gas fitter to locate the source of the leak and have them repair the leak.
While waiting for the gas fitter, open all doors and windows to increase ventilation and reduce the pungent gas smell. Also, walk around your property to see if you can identify where the gas smell is the strongest. This will likely be the origin of the leak.
In any emergency situation, always call 000 immediately and evacuate the home.
What To Do If You Suspect a Water Leak
Have you just copped a hefty water bill or been issued a suspected water leak notice from the Gold Coast City Council? If you have received either, there is a good chance the excess water is coming from a leak, which needs to be fixed ASAP.
If you suspect you have a water leak on the Gold Coast, the first step is to confirm that you actually have a leak. This is easy to do. Simply turn off all taps and running water sources, and then watch your water metre. If the metre ticks over, you have a water leak; if the metre doesn’t move, you don’t have a leak.
If the test proves you have a leak, you then need to identify where the leak is coming from – inside or outside your home. Go to the main shut-off valve and turn off the water at the valve – this valve is separate from the valve in your metre box and is usually located outside, at the front boundary of your home or close to a garden tap. Once you have turned the water supply off at the valve, go back to your meter to check if it is ticking over. If you see no movement, then the leak is inside your home. If the metre ticks over, then the leak is outside your home.
Either way, you will need to call a qualified plumber on the Gold Coast to pinpoint the source of the leak and provide a fixed-price quote to repair the cause of the leak. For this, you can count on Local Plumbing & Gas Co. Call us today on 0487 175 645 to have your water leak fixed immediately.
