How to Check of Your Garage Gas Wall Heater Is Leaking

A man repairs a heater.
  • 1 hours
  • Beginner
What You'll Need
Phone
Access to shut off valves
What You'll Need
Phone
Access to shut off valves

If you have a garage gas wall heater, it is important that you are able to tell whether or not it is leaking. A leaking gas heater is something that can end up being extremely dangerous if it is not handled properly. There are several things that can indicate that your garage gas wall heater is leaking. Make sure that you take note of these so that you will be able to prevent any leaks from getting out of hand and being handled improperly.

Step 1 - Smell

One of the first things that you will notice whenever you have a leak in your gas wall heater is the smell. You will smell gas in the area that the heater is in. As soon as you notice the smell of gas, evacuate the area and call emergency officials. Do not turn on any lights or attempt to do anything. Simply leave the area and call for help. Turning on a light or attempting to do anything yourself could result in there being an explosion.

Step 2 - Check for Improper Heating

If you notice that your heater isn’t heating the way that it should, then this could be a sign that the gas is leaking. Usually the heater will have trouble heating the entire area, and it also will fail to turn itself off. If your heater happens to not heat the way that it should even though it is not turning off, then it is a good idea for you to call up the gas company and have them come out to check on your gas wall heater.

Step 3 - Check Window Condensation

This is something that, of course, only works if you happen to have windows in your garage. If you notice that the windows that are in the garage tend to have a lot of condensation on them for no reason, then this could be a sign of leaking gas. You will need to make sure that you waste no time in getting the gas company to come out and take a look at everything.

Step 4 - Look for Soot

If you have any tables or benches or surfaces in your garage, then check to see if they have any soot on them. Whenever a gas heater is leaking, soot will often find its way on the surfaces. This is a very telling sign that something isn’t right.

What to Do

You should never attempt to fix the leaks yourself. Even if it turns out to be a false alarm, it is always a good idea to call the gas company if you suspect a leak. A gas leak is not something to be toyed with. If at any point you feel like your gas heater is not working properly, then call for professional help immediately.