East Bay Gas - Lines Smart Tips for Natural Gas Safety

Smart Tips for Natural Gas Safety

More than half of the homes in the United States rely on natural gas for clean and efficient heating and cooking. Natural gas lines and appliances are relatively safe, but for the protection of your home and family you should be aware of the possible hazards of natural gas.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. The number one natural gas safety issue is the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is also a safety issue with heating oil, propane and other combustible fuels. If a faulty furnace or other gas-fueled appliance does not burn the fuel properly, or is not vented properly, carbon monoxide can begin to build in the home.

Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it is odorless, and robs the victim’s brain and organs of the oxygen necessary to function properly. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms are similar to those of the flu without a fever. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should get out of the house and call 911, the fire department, or emergency medical services immediately.

To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Install carbon monoxide detectors in key areas of your home
• Have a qualified repair person check appliances that use natural gas once a year.
• Inspect the vents, flues, and chimneys of all gas water heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces for proper ventilation of exhaust.
• Never heat the house with your oven. This can damage the oven and cause carbon monoxide to be released into the home.
• Never sleep in a room heated by a gas or kerosene space heater that does not have proper venting.

Gas Line Leaks. Natural gas has a “rotten egg” odor added to gas to warn of a leak. Line leaks are rare but can be extremely dangerous. A buildup of natural gas in an enclosed area can make people very sick or cause an explosion.

Gas leaks in the home can be easily prevented by ensuring flexible gas lines are installed properly and inspected regularly by licensed professionals. Gas leaks outside the home are also dangerous. Most gas lines coming into the home are buried underground. Before doing any job that requires digging outside, homeowners should call their local utilities so gas lines can be marked before digging begins.

What to do if you smell the “rotten egg” odor in your home:

• Do not use your cell phone until safely away from your home.
• Shut gas valves off at your home.
• Do not turn on or off any electrical appliances.
• Do not smoke or use any open flames.
• Do not attempt to locate the leak.
• Get a safe distance away from the house, and then call 911 and the utility company.
• If a natural gas line is damaged when digging outside, call the utility immediately. Do not attempt to repair the line

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East Bay Gas Lines - Gas Line Installation and Repair

Gas Line Installation & Repair

When you hear about your home’s plumbing system, you probably think about the water moving through your sinks, showers, dishwasher, etc. But how often do you think about the most important second half of your plumbing system – the gas! Gas line repairs have been part of Guaranteed Plumbing’s (East Bay Gas Lines) expertise.

Emergency Gas Line Repairs

One of the most common gas line problems in the area is the occurrence of gas leaks. Gas leaks are dangerous for two reasons – not only is there the potential for toxic compounds entering your home, but there’s also the risk of explosion! With a serious enough gas leak, even something as simple as flipping on a light switch can cause a spark that’s enough to blow up your whole home.

If you smell gas in your home, get out as fast as possible, touching nothing electric or electronic. When you’ve reached a safe place, call 911 and have the fire department shut off the gas. Once they’ve declared the house safe, call East Bay Gas Lines! Our gas line repair experts can find the source of the gas leak and take care of it in no time. Remember – gas leaks aren’t like faucet leaks. You can’t put them off until you decide you want to call the plumber – it’s important to have gas line repair as soon as possible.

Note: the gas company will add a sulfuric, “rotten egg” smell to natural gas. If you smell this (provided you don’t keep rotten eggs around the house) you’ll know immediately when there’s a gas leak. DO NOT attempt gas line repairs on your own – not only do gas line repairs legally require a permit before they can be taken care of, but the slightest spark, even a static shock, can cause the gas to explode.

Gas Line Installation

In addition to emergency gas line repairs, East Bay Gas Lines also provides gas line installation services for all your gas appliances, including:

• Gas grills
• Water heaters
• Furnaces
• Swimming pools and hot tubs
• Gas stoves
• Fireplaces
• And more!

Our gas line installation experts can even provide gas line installation for restaurant equipment and other commercial appliances, so call us for commercial gas line installation as well!

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East Bay Gas Lines Danville - Outdoor Fireplaces Tips in Design

 

Installed for their warmth as well as their ambiance, outdoor fireplaces transform backyards into cozy outdoor living rooms where people can gather and relax even when there's a chill in the air. For the patio, fireplaces often become a design anchor and tend to be where furniture and other elements of the outdoor living space are centered.

Outdoor fireplaces come in a variety of styles and finishes. Choosing the right fireplace for your outdoor room can be overwhelming, considering all of the options in design, size and type. It will become easier to narrow down which fireplace is right for your space after you learn more about the various features of each type. Keep in mind that the fireplace material you choose needs to resist exposure to the weather and withstand extremely high temperatures. It is also beneficial to select a fireplace facing that is easy to clean, so soot and ashes can simply be hosed off.

Get these tips

In this section, you'll find tips from landscaping professionals and outdoor fireplace suppliers on:

• The most popular fireplace styles (Southwestern, Mediterranean, modern and traditional) and the design characteristics of each.
• Choosing the best location for your outdoor fireplace, considering such factors as space availability, local building codes, privacy and wind direction.
• How zoning regulations can dictate the location and chimney height of your fireplace.
• Choosing the best size for your outdoor fireplace based on the scale of your yard, your entertaining needs, and the amount of heating you want to provide.
• Seating options for enjoying an outdoor fireplace, including movable patio furniture and permanent built-in seating.
• Various options for outdoor fireplaces, including mantels, hearths, lighting, and built-in wood storage.
• The differences between a firepit and a fireplace and how to choose the best outdoor fire feature for your needs.
• The pros and cons of the most popular outdoor fireplace facing materials, including brick veneer, stone, stucco and decorative concrete.
• The design options and cost ranges for custom-built outdoor fireplaces.
• Information about fireplace kits, including cost ranges, types and resources.
• Resources and cost ranges for prefab outdoor gas fireplaces, which are delivered to your home in a finished state and simply require you to hook up the fuel line.
• The three main structural components of an outdoor fireplace and the basic design and construction requirements for each.
• The main factors to consider when choosing a base for your outdoor fireplace, including your soil type, freeze-thaw conditions and the weight of the fireplace.
• The pros and cons of wood burning vs. gas-fueled outdoor fireplaces.
• Typical chimney and vent requirements for wood-burning outdoor fireplaces.

Because of safety issues, outdoor fireplaces should be installed by a professional and built according to your local building regulations

source: By Sarah Tate, LandscapingNetwork.com Columnist

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