Emergency Situations

Natural Gas and Electrical Hazardous

Natural Gas Leak Tips

Signs of a Natural Gas Leak

• Blowing or hissing sound
• Dust blowing from a hole in the ground
• Continuous bubbling in wet or flooded areas
• Gaseous or hydrocarbon odor
• Dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green area
• Flames, if a leak has ignited

What to Do If You Suspect a Leak

• Evacuate the area and try to prevent anyone from entering.
• Abandon any equipment being used in or near the area.
• Avoid any open flames.
• Avoid introducing any sources of ignition to the area (such as cell phones, pagers, 2-way radios).
• Do not start or turn off motor vehicles/electrical equipment. This could cause a spark.
• Call 911 or contact local fire or law enforcement from another location.
• Leave the premises.
• Do not use any switches, if a light is on, leave it on. If it is off, leave it off.

If you smell gas in a localized area near a gas appliance, check the pilot light. Most modern automatic equipment, like water heaters and furnaces, have safety shut-offs to control the escape of gas if the pilot goes out. Manually controlled appliances, like a gas range, may have a pilot light that does not turn off, but can be safely re-lit. All appliances should have a panel with the lighting instructions attached. If you can't determine the source of a gas odor, and it is localized around an appliance, turn the gas to the appliance off at the shut-off valve and get a professional to look at the appliance.

After you have done these steps call Discount Plumbing at (209) 207-0390 anytime, 24 hours a day to get your problem fixed fast.

Other Emergency Situations

Water Leaks

If you have a water leak in your home, locate and shut off the corresponding shutoff valve by turning the handle clockwise. You can also use the main water supply line shut off valve if you cannot find a local valve near the leak. After you have done this call Discount Plumbing at (209) 207-0390 anytime, 24 hours a day to get your problem fixed fast.

Normal locations for localized equipment shut off valves are as follows:

• Sinks – directly beneath the sink, inside the cabinet.
• Toilet – the left hand side near the floor.
• Outside faucet – on a pipe connecting to the outside faucet, usually within a 30-foot radius.
• Water heater – on top of the water heater or within a 1-3 foot radius.
• Dishwasher – beneath the kitchen sink cabinet.
• Washing machine – directly behind the washer, follow the hoses to the valve.
• All other leaks – Shut off the main water supply line valve. This is located where the water service comes into the home (basement, crawl space, utility closet). Most homes have a main water supply line shut off valve located around the exterior of the home in the front yard. Other common locations are anywhere on the perimeter of the exterior of the home and inside the garage. If the location is unknown, call your local water department immediately. If the water source is a well, locate the circuit breaker/fuse box and turn off the power supply to the well pump.

Flooded Basement

The primary concern when a basement is flooded is to determine whether or not the water level has risen above the burner assembly of the furnace, water heater, etc. It is recommended that you shut off the electric, gas or oil supply to these units. If the water is over a foot deep, we recommend calling the local fire department and natural gas company immediately. After you have done this call Discount Plumbing at (209) 207-0390 anytime, 24 hours a day to get your problem fixed fast.