Staying safe during an earthquake is a very important topic for anyone who lives near the ocean or major fault lines, such as those who live in California. Making sure that you always have an emergency kit prepared is essential if you choose to live in California, but there are other preventative measures that should be taken as well that most people don’t remember.
Gas safety during an earthquake is an important topic because an earthquake can easily disrupt your lines and cause a much larger problem for you following the shakes. If a gas line is damaged during an earthquake, the pipe could burst, leak gas from your home, and even ignite in some cases. Be prepared for all earthquake disasters when you hire the right plumbing contractor in Los Angeles and prevent future damage with Nautilus now.
Gas leaks are particularly common during and following an earthquake if your gas lines are not anchored to anything that could help them stay secure, if your home has a weak structure and if the flexible pipe connectors are not utilized during installation. To prevent significant gas leaking and home damage from earthquakes, make sure that all your appliances that use gas in any way have been checked. Appliances include water heaters, stoves, dryers, furnaces and ovens. Check each appliance and its gas line to ensure that the piping is anchored to some part of your overall structure, make sure that the piping is intact, and double check to see if the correct, flexible piping has been installed. If you do not have the optimal setup installed for your gas lines, call Nautilus today to schedule a plumbing contractor in Los Angeles to examine your pipes.
If an earthquake warning goes out in your area, there are a few procedures that you can follow to ensure that no damage is done during the shakes. Once you have finished a general examination of your piping and gas line structures, you can begin to prepare for the event in which you’ll have to shut off the valve manually. Be aware that shutting off your gas lines manually will require an expert to re-install. You can be the most prepared to manual shut off your gas lines by making sure an industrial-level wrench is located near your manual valve. This method should only be utilized if you hear gas leaking from a pipe, smell a significant gas odor, or think that part of your piping has chipped or burst. Manual gas shutoff should be carefully considered, as the gas may not be reconnected for several hours or days after the initial disconnection. If you have manually shut off your gas and need an expert to help you reconnect, call a plumbing contractor in Los Angeles from Nautilus and get your gas reconnected now.
If you do not want to deal with manually turning off your gas, there are options for an automatic gas shut down. Automatic shutoff valves are more expensive than manual valves, but the automatic option is more user friendly, and some even come with an earthquake detection shut down option. Before installing one of these valves, make sure to inform your building department, as they can cause a delay in gas valve restoration and they have the potential to shut down even when no true threat has surfaced. Many customers still prefer automatic gas valves, however, because of the features they come with. These features include earthquake shake detection technology, excess flow valves, hybrid systems, and even methane detectors. Install an automatic gas valve today when you call Nautilus and schedule an appointment with a plumbing contractor in Los Angeles now. Don’t put off your earthquake preparedness, safeguard your home against gas leaks with Nautilus today!