You may have come across hissing or whistling near a gasoline line. Maybe you saw a flare-up in your lawn, or you even smelled it. Maybe you were lucky enough to hear it as it happened. No matter what, do not try to ignore it. It is a natural occurrence, and you may very well be next. It may feel like it’s not serious enough for you to worry about, but if you don’t get a firm grip on the situation right away, you may find yourself in trouble.
First, try to determine where the source of the problem may be. Is it a leak from a nearby oil or propane line? Has something come loose near the line? Have you found cinders or chips in the ground around your property? These are all possible sources of gas leakage that you should check for.
If a leak or other problem is present, you may need to dig up the ground around your property to find the source. If this is not an option for you, contact the manufacturer of the gas or propane device. They should be able to provide you with a spare part. If they cannot do this for you, you will need to purchase the part from an online retailer or another store selling replacement parts.
If your gas source is not a leak, the likelihood of encountering a hissing or whistling near a gas line is carbon monoxide poisoning. This can be deadly. It will usually take around 12 hours for symptoms to present themselves after being exposed to a high level of poisonous gas. It will also take a few days before serious damage occurs. If you suspect that your house is currently being lived in by someone who may not be using a properly installed gas device, do not hesitate to call your local fire department and ask for help.
Hissing or whistling near a gas line can also be indicative of a malfunction in the equipment itself. For instance, an appliance could fail and begin hissing or wailing when left idly, hoping that it will not break down. Other indications of malfunctioning gas appliances include excess carbon monoxide, improper or worn-out fuses, or leaking connections.
Another probable reason behind a hissing or whistling near a gas line could be water damage. Water can reach extremely high levels in areas where natural gas lines are located, especially around sinks, water heaters, and outdoor showers. If there are no protective barriers to prevent the water from rising, then leaks could occur as the water damages the lining or valve of the gas appliance. As soon as the area is dry, you should drain all standing water away from the appliance and place towels or blankets around the gas valve and vicinity of the leak.
Leaks in your household plumbing system can also lead to hissing or whistling near a gas appliance. If your home’s pipes have been leaking for a long time, they may become clogged with mineral deposits or other foreign substances. As the water collects and freezes, it could cause the line to vibrate or hiss. Other causes of this type of problem could include tree roots that have embedded themselves into the gas line. This would cause a constant noise, even if the area around the hole were empty.
A gas line is not an area to experiment with when fixing a hissing or whistling problem in an air-conditioned room. However, if you notice that your appliances are having trouble starting, or are having problems when draining water, or both, then you should try checking the pressure valve for a leak. This would be the perfect time to find out if there are any leaks in your system. You can never be too careful when it comes to your family’s health. It is better to take preventative measures before problems arise. Be sure to call Grand Prairie Plumbers if you see your loved one or a child getting sick or having an allergic reaction to certain parts of your home.