Off Topic: I Smell Gas

It was one of those days. My dad had outpatient surgery in the morning, and after all went well, I came home to relax and rest, but that wasn’t in the cards. It wasn’t long after I arrived home, I smelled gas after returning from the chilly outdoors to let the dogs out. For the doggies, I am thankful.

I decided to relax, and clean my nose out with another dose of fresh air and upon returning to the indoors, there was no mistaking the strong scent. Nonetheless I repeated the exercise one more time–leaving me no doubt there was a leak in my house. I definitely smelled gas in two locations.

My heart started to pound and I got nervous because this was the strongest leak I have ever smelled, and of course, I wasn’t able to find the gas company’s number in the phone book. I then called 411 and they connected me to the electric service in my town. Hello?!

Stressed out and getting more tense by the moment, I hung up and called my mom and asked her to locate the number for me so I could tend to my dogs and start to air out the house.

The gas man arrived within 30 minutes and I was shocked to hear that we had three leaks in the house! Two were on the water heater which sits in an enclosed area. The gas guy said we were at risk for an explosion as the room was small and enclosed and it doesn’t take long for the gas to build up. The third leak was by the fireplace in another room, and no matter what he did, his meter kept going off. He told me that he soaped it and didn’t see any “fizz” so it likely wasn’t leaking, but upon checking it later this evening with my omni-potent nose, there is no doubt it is still leaking. I suspect it is a small leak, but a leak we need to tend to regardless and soon.

I am thankful for my nose tonight, and a bit more grateful for all that surrounds me.