What Should I Do If I Smell Leaking Gas?

Suspect your home has a gas leak, or need to know what to do in the event of an emergency gas leak?

Many people choose to use natural gas over electricity because it is a plentiful resource found in nature, and gas plants take less time and resources to establish than a coal plant. Carbon emissions are lower overall, and so gas has become an eco-friendlier choice for many homeowners.

However, gas can pose a serious health and safety hazard should a leak occur, so it’s important to take these necessary steps to protect yourself and your home if a gas leak is suspected:

·     Turn off your home’s gas supply at either the meter or cylinder immediately.

·     Turn off any gas and electrical appliances within the home, including any pilot lights.

·     Go through your home and open all doors and windows to release the trapped gas and flood your home with fresh oxygen.

·     Grab your phone and go stand outside in the fresh air while you…

·     …Call an emergency plumber who is licensed in gas fitting to have them attend your property ASAP.

If you believe you, anyone in your home or your house itself is in danger, call 000 immediately.

Now you know what you should do if you smell leaking gas, here's some more info on gas leaks...

How do I know if I have a gas leak?

To find out if you have a gas leak, it helps to use your senses…

Sniff: You’ll smell a strong methane stench like that of rotting eggs

Look: House plants or trees (if the leak is outside) dying

Listen: Hissing sound coming from a gas appliance

Feel: If you experience dizziness or breathing difficulties         

Observe: Bubbles from external gas pipe, sick pets, patches of dry soil if it’s usually damp

Does gas smell?

Natural gas in its regular state is colourless and odourless. However, the chemical Mercaptan is purposely added to it, to give it that distinct rotten egg smell we mentioned above, so you are aware if there is gas leaking in your home or not. This makes a gas leak hard to miss, and ensures it’s detected early to avoid toxic inhalation.

Why is a gas leak bad?

 Gas is a toxic chemical and should not be inhaled. It is meant to be sealed in its piping and appliances and should not be exposed for humans or animals to breathe in as it can cause a range of health problems, particularly in the elderly and young children/babies.

Additionally, gas is highly flammable, and if a flame is ignited near a gas leak, it could result in an explosion.

What causes a gas leak?

A gas leak could be caused by a few reasons, and could come from a:

·     Gas appliance

If your gas leak is coming from an appliance (for instance hot water unit or gas stovetop) it could be that the appliance has a hole in it somewhere or the connection itself could be faulty. The pilot lights should also be checked.

·     Gas pipe

The gas pipe could have ruptured or have a hole in it.

·     Gas metre

Your gas metre may have sprung a leak.

What if I think there’s a gas leak outside my home?

If you think the gas smell is coming from your gas metre, you’ll need to contact your gas supplier immediately as this is an emergency gas issue. Stay away from the gas metre and the exposed gas until they have rectified the problem.

Who can fix a gas leak?

If you have a gas leak emergency, a plumber who is also a licensed gasfitter can effectively determine where your gas leak is and fix the problem for you.

They’re also able to disconnect and install gas appliances and pipes safely and professionally to ensure you, your household and your home are safe.

MC2 Plumbing are licensed gasfitters and are here to help with all your gas leak emergencies, so contact our friendly plumbing team today.

The face of MC2 Plumbing, Lee is your friendly, nice-guy-next-door type bloke. Once a professional tap dancer, Lee went from dancing on taps around the world to fixing taps in Perth (with over 20 years in the trade).

Our Plumbing Services

Emergency Plumber in Perth

Hot Water System Installations & Repairs

Fixing Blocked Toilets

Blocked Drain and Sewers

Gas Fitter Plumber in Perth