Natural gas is an incredibly efficient and reliable energy source, which is why millions of homes across the country depend on it every single day to heat water, warm living spaces, and cook family meals. While using gas appliances is generally very safe, there is a potential for gas leaks, which can be incredibly dangerous.
The accumulation of natural gas in an enclosed space can lead to a risk of fire or explosion, and inhaling it can cause significant health problems, a condition known as natural gas poisoning. Because the consequences can be so severe, every homeowner must be able to recognize the warning signs of a gas leak.
Do you suspect a gas leak in your home? Evacuate everyone (even pets) from the premises immediately. On your way out, open some doors and windows to help ventilate the area. Do not touch any electronics or light switches. Once you are safely outside and a good distance from the house, call your local utility company’s emergency line or 911.
The Telltale Signs of a Gas Leak in Your Home
Natural gas in its raw state is actually odorless and colorless. To make leaks detectable, utility companies add a chemical called mercaptan, which gives the gas a distinct and unpleasant smell. This odorant is your most reliable clue of a leak, but it’s not the only one.
Being vigilant and knowing all the signs — what you might smell, hear, see, and even feel — is crucial for early detection.
What You Might Smell
The most common sign of a natural gas leak is an unpleasant odor. People most often compare this smell to rotten eggs, sulfur, or a skunk’s spray.
If you notice this smell, especially if it appears suddenly or is particularly strong in a certain area of your home (like near the furnace, water heater, or kitchen stove), you should treat it as a potential gas leak. Do not dismiss it.
It’s important to note that some people, particularly older adults or those with a diminished sense of smell due to illness (like a cold or allergies), may have difficulty detecting the odor. In rare cases of odor fade, the gas can lose its smell. This is why you must also rely on other signs of a gas leak.
What You Might Hear
Sometimes, a gas leak can be heard before it’s smelled, especially if it’s a higher-pressure leak from a damaged line. Listen carefully for unusual sounds near your gas appliances or pipes. These sounds include:
- Hissing or Whistling: A distinct hissing, whistling, or roaring sound near a gas line or appliance is a strong indicator that gas is escaping. The larger the break in the line, the louder the sound will likely be.
- Blowing or Roaring: For a significant leak, you might hear a sound similar to air blowing forcefully from a small opening.
What You Might See
A gas leak can also leave subtle visual evidence, both inside and outside your home.
- Indoors:
- Appliance Issues: A pilot light that is frequently blowing out or is a strange color (yellow, orange, or red) can be a sign of a gas supply issue.
- Dust or Debris Being Blown Around: If you see dust or dirt being kicked up from a specific spot near a gas pipe or floorboard, it could be from gas escaping.
- Outdoors:
- Dead or Dying Vegetation: A leak from an underground gas line will kill the grass, plants, or trees in the immediate vicinity. If you notice a patch of dead vegetation in an otherwise healthy lawn, especially if it’s located near where your gas line runs, it’s a major red flag of a leak.
- Bubbles in Wet or Flooded Areas: If gas is leaking into standing water, puddles, or even wet soil, you will see persistent bubbling.
- Disturbed Soil: In dry areas, you might notice soil or dirt being blown into the air for no apparent reason.
What You Might Feel
Inhaling natural gas displaces the oxygen in your blood, leading to a range of physical symptoms. If you or your family members suddenly begin to feel unwell without a clear cause, consider the possibility of a gas leak, especially if the symptoms improve when you leave the house. Pets are also susceptible and may show signs first.
Common symptoms of gas leak poisoning include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness or Lightheadedness
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Fatigue or Drowsiness
- Breathing Difficulties or Shortness of Breath
- Chest Pains
- Confusion or Memory Problems
- Loss of Consciousness
If anyone in your home is experiencing these symptoms, get them into fresh air immediately and call 911 from a safe location.
Steps to Take If You Suspect a Gas Leak
Discovering a potential gas leak is, without a doubt, an incredibly frightening experience. But having a clear plan of action can help you feel confident in addressing the problem appropriately.
Here’s how to respond when you suspect a gas leak in your home:
- Act Immediately: Take a deep breath and focus. Your goal is to get everyone out as quickly and safely as possible.
- Evacuate Everyone From the Building: Alert everyone in the house and leave right away. Do not waste time gathering personal belongings. Help anyone who needs assistance, and be sure to take your pets with you.
- Ventilate as You Go: On your way out, open doors and windows to allow the gas to dissipate. Do this only on your direct path out of the house. Do not go out of your way to open windows in other rooms.
- Find a Safe Spot: Move to a safe distance from your home. Go to a neighbor’s house or stand at least 300-400 feet away.
- Call for Help: Once you are safely away from the potential leak, use your cell phone or a neighbor’s phone to call your gas utility’s emergency number or 911 if you can’t reach your gas company. Do not go back into your home until you’re given the “all clear” by your gas company.
What NOT to Do in the Event of a Gas Leak
What you don’t do during a suspected gas leak is just as important as what you do. Therefore, keep these tips in mind:
- DO NOT operate any electronics. This includes flipping light switches on or off, using your phone inside the house, turning on the television, or using any battery-powered devices.
- DO NOT light a match, lighter, or any other open flame.
- DO NOT smoke.
- DO NOT start or stop any vehicles or machinery near the suspected leak. A spark from the engine could ignite the gas.
- DO NOT use your garage door opener.
- DO NOT try to locate the source of the leak yourself.
- DO NOT attempt to repair the gas line or appliance on your own. This is a job for trained professionals only.
- DO NOT turn the gas supply back on yourself. The utility company must do this after the leak has been repaired and the system has been tested.
- DO NOT assume the problem is solved if the smell fades. You may have simply gotten used to it, or the leak could be intermittent.
Want to know how to prevent a gas leak? Check out our blog!
Get Your Gas Lines Repaired ASAP
Once you’ve made the call to your gas company, they will shut off the gas supply to your home at the meter. However, they will not perform the necessary repairs to the pipes inside your house. They will “red-tag” your system, and you will not be able to have your gas service restored until you can prove that the leak has been professionally and safely repaired by a qualified plumber.
So, once the immediate danger has been neutralized by the gas company, get in touch with a licensed and experienced plumber to address the source of the leak right away. If you live in Baltimore, MD, or one of the surrounding areas, you can call Saffer Plumbing. Our team of licensed plumbers is equipped to handle all aspects of gas line repair and replacement. We will:
- Quickly and accurately locate the source of the leak.
- Provide a clear explanation of the problem and your repair options.
- Perform durable, code-compliant repairs or replace damaged sections of your gas line.
- Conduct thorough pressure testing to ensure the entire system is safe and leak-free.
- Handle the coordination with the utility company to get your gas service safely restored.
If you’ve had a gas leak or want to ensure your gas lines are safe, book a plumbing repair with Saffer Plumbing today, and let our expert team give you the peace of mind you deserve.