The Indoor Plant Warning Sign That Could Indicate A Gas Leak In Your Home

What are the plants in your home really telling you? It's more than just that there's a lack of sun or there's not enough moisture in the air sometimes. In some cases, your indoor plants can give you a sign that your home isn't safe for you. One example of this is when you notice that your plants are dying or don't seem to grow even though you've done everything you can to give them support. Since plants are very sensitive to natural gas found in the air, they are likely to start wilting and dying long before you smell natural gas in your home.

Indoor plants require a good amount of care and attention, and they can be hard to grow without a good source of light. Yet, if all of your plants seem to die no matter what attention you give them, it could be a sign that there's natural gas in the air. That's not something to ignore since natural gas can make you and your family ill. Here's what you should do to find out.

Natural gas is a common fuel source in homes. It can be used for your stove, dryer, hot water tank, heating, and even your oven. Most often, natural gas is piped into the home and directly to these systems, and overall, the pipes are reliable and hard to damage. Yet, a leak can occur, especially near valves that may not be turned on or off properly or at weak points in the lines. The hard part is picking up on this leak since small amounts of natural gas don't have any odor, and you cannot see it.

There are a few other signs, aside from your indoor plants dying, that could indicate a gas leak. In significant leaks, a rotten egg smell can develop and may be stronger near the source of the natural gas. Other times, you may notice bubbles in standing water outside of your home, which indicates there's gas dispersing into the soil. Also, your appliances may have what sounds like a hissing sound coming from them even if you're not using them.

Also, pay attention to the way you and others in your home feel. Natural gas exposure, even in small amounts, can cause memory problems, headaches, constant fatigue, and, in serious cases, loss of consciousness. If you suspect a natural gas leak for any reason, leave the home and call the fire department to come in to investigate and a plumber to make repairs.

It's not ideal to count on your indoor house plants to provide warning signs that you have a gas leak, but there are steps you can take to protect your family. Install a natural gas detector in your home. It works much like a smoke or fire alarm but specifically detects the presence of natural gas and can be critical to providing an early warning to leave the home.

It's also a good idea to have an annual inspection of all natural gas appliances to pinpoint any risks over time. Your plumber can inspect these lines and other home plumbing systems to prevent failures. Your plumber has tools to detect leaks. If you think there may be a low-level leak due to plants dying, have them come out to test for natural gas. Do the same if your heating bill is through the roof unexpectedly.

It's a good idea to keep gas lines protected, too. For example, if you have gas lines under your stove, be sure they're protected from bumps from the pots and pans you store in that cabinet. Keep kids away from any appliances with natural gas as well, including the stove and oven. Once they start learning how to cook, be sure to educate them about what natural gas is and the risks it presents.