What To Do if You Smell Gas in Your Home in Billings

Last Saturday was anything but an ordinary day for my family a few weeks ago when we had to evacuate our house and call the gas company due to a strong exhaust smell all through our house.

As soon as we opened our front door after running errands, we were greeted by a concerning odor. We knew we needed to call the gas company to make sure there wasn't a leak, and they wasted no time, immediately sending someone out to investigate the situation. They also told us that in addition to evacuating, we needed to be sure not to use our phones in the house, turn on lights, or use any electronics because doing so could cause a spark.

After a thorough check, it turned out that there were no CO2 readings and no gas leaks. My husband and I were so relieved, especially considering the potential dangers associated with gas leaks. Our CO2 detectors (we have one on each floor) weren't going off, but we were still concerned enough to place the call.

The strange smell seems to have been caused by a buildup of various items in our vents over time, possibly left there by the previous owners. Despite our efforts to clear out the vents when we bought our house three months ago, the gas company said that they suspect debris could still be lurking deep within the ducts, out of our view. Because we cranked up the heat with the brutal cold last month, the furnace heat might have started melting anything deep inside the vents, causing the unusual odor.

To address the issue, the gas company recommended that we get our air ducts cleaned, emphasizing the significance of maintaining clean and clear ventilation systems in our home.

I learned a few things through this experience that I thought I'd share with you because what I learned might end up helping you down the road.

Make Sure You Have CO2 Detectors

Install and regularly check CO2 (carbon monoxide) detectors in your home to ensure early detection of any potential gas issues. I've talked to so many people who don't think it's important to have CO2 detectors, but it really is and you should have several of them. Make sure that you also check the batteries regularly. CO2 can be a deadly killer and you may not even be able to smell it, which is why having detectors is so important.

Routinely Clean Your Vents

Routinely clean your vents to prevent blockages and maintain good air quality. You can use tools like a shop vac with a pool hose duct taped well to the shop vac hose for deeper cleaning or better yet, call a professional air duct cleaning company because they'll be able to clean your vents even better than you can.

Review Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy

Review your homeowner's insurance policy to confirm coverage for alternative lodging in case of emergencies like a gas leak that requires you to leave your house for an extended time. If you have dogs, as we do, check if your homeowner's insurance also covers boarding - just in case.

Consider Register Traps

Invest in floor register traps to trap debris and prevent gunk from falling into your ducts. Remember to clean these traps regularly to ensure they remain effective.

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Trust Your Instincts

If something doesn't seem right or smells off in your home, don't hesitate to evacuate and call your gas company. Never be scared to call! They would rather come out to your place to make sure everything is good than for something catastrophic to happen to you.