Can you stay in a house that smells like gas?

Author: Reva Greenholt Jr.  |  Last update: Thursday, July 17, 2025

Evacuate Immediately! Leave the premises with your family immediately and avoid using your vehicle or any other electrical equipment at this time because they may pose safety risks.

Is it safe to stay in a house that smells like gas?

Here's what you should DO if you smell gas: DO leave the home, building, or area of the suspected leak. Get to a safe area as quickly as possible. After leaving your home, DO call the 24-hour emergency number for Peoples at 1-800-400-4271, or call your local emergency response number.

Can you stay in a house with a gas leak?

Legally yes, if there is a gas leak that is a danger to your health and safety and if the gas had to be shut off so you have no heat or hot water, that would make the property uninhabitable as a matter of law.

What do I do if my house smells like gas?

What To Do When You Smell Gas
  1. Immediately evacuate everyone in the house.
  2. Do not use anything that can produce a spark or flame.
  3. Open windows and doors as you got to provide ventilation.
  4. Turn off your gas meter if you know where it is.
  5. Call emergency services to inform them of the issues.

How long should you air out your house if you smell gas?

After you've had a leak, authorities typically recommend that you open up your doors and windows and let the home air out. Typically, you'll need to allow your home to air out for fifteen minutes to a few hours, but the exact timeframe depends on the severity of the leak and wind conditions in your area.

How to Tell If There’s a Gas Leak Inside Your Home

How long does it take for a gas leak to harm you?

Severe leaks can cause this problem in just five minutes. The EPA states that exposure to concentrations of nine ppm or more for eight hours is enough to produce harmful health effects for at-risk individuals. Exit the property and call 911 if you suspect your home has a gas leak.

Should I open the door if I smell gas?

Open windows and doors only if it is possible to do so quickly and easily. Quickly leave the house or building, taking everyone, including pets, with you. Go to a location where you no long smell gas, and call your local natural gas utility. Call 911 if there appears to be an immediate danger.

What if I smell gas but no leak?

If your home smells like gas, but there's no apparent leak, here are steps you should follow: Ventilate the house by opening all windows and turning on ceiling fans. After this, if the smell is persistent, evacuate your home. Put out any materials that can create a flame or cause a spark, such as any open flames.

What smell can be mistaken for gas?

Hydrogen Sulfide

The gas has a strong scent of rotten eggs, which makes it distinct from other, similar gases. If you detect this rotten egg scent and you are using hydrogen sulfide at your facility, this could be evidence of a leak.

When to worry about gas smell?

Natural gas is naturally odorless; however, utilities add an unpleasant smell that warns you of a dangerous gas leak. If you smell the sulfur smell of rotten eggs in your house, you have a problem.

How long does it take for gas to dissipate in a house?

After your gas leak is fixed, your house might still have a strong gas smell. Now you can open your windows and doors to let your home air out. You want to air out your house for anywhere between 15 minutes and a few hours. Do not assume that all the gas has dissipated once the smell disappears.

How to get gas smell out of house fast?

With the right know-how, you can get rid of gasoline smells from your home in no time.
  1. Find the Source of the Smell. ...
  2. Lay Charcoal Out. ...
  3. Absorb Spills With Cat Litter. ...
  4. Leave the Windows and Doors Open. ...
  5. Seal Cracks Around the Garage. ...
  6. Install an Exhaust Fan.

How long can a gas leak go unnoticed?

Gas leaks are subtle in smell but very obvious in bills. They can even go on for months undetected.

How to get gas out of house quickly?

Open windows and external doors immediately to allow the gas to disperse as quickly as possible.

Who to call for sewer gas smell?

Sewer gas produces a very distinct rotten egg smell, caused when organic materials break down and decompose to form hydrogen sulfide. If you're unsure about the smell coming from your drains or sewers, call a licensed plumber who can perform an inspection or clear and clean blockages.

Would a gas leak smell come and go?

Natural gas leaks are particularly likely to cause smells in small, enclosed areas where gas can build up. If the leak is outside, the smell may seem to come and go as the breeze blows it away. The other big sign to look out for is a strange noise.

What to do if you smell gas at home?

I smell gas – what do I do?
  1. Don't smoke or light a match.
  2. Don't turn electrical switches on or off.
  3. Open your doors and windows.
  4. Turn off your gas meter at the shut-off valve (this often has a yellow or red handle) – don't do this if your meter is in the cellar.
  5. Leave the building.

What can be mistaken for gas?

Gas in the intestine causes pain for some people. When it collects on the left side of the colon, the pain can be confused with heart disease. When it collects on the right side of the colon, the pain may feel like the pain associated with gallstones or appendicitis.

Why do I randomly smell gas in my house?

The presence of a gas odor can indicate a potentially dangerous gas leak, which should be taken seriously. If you suspect a gas leak, immediately evacuate your home, call the gas company or emergency services, and do not attempt to fix the issue yourself.

Will a carbon monoxide detector detect a gas leak?

No, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms cannot detect natural gas leaks. They are designed to detect the presence of carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas formed during incomplete combustion of fuels like oil, gas, propane, and wood.

What could be mistaken for gas smell?

Strong smells in the area, like cooking or chemical odors, can mask the smell of natural gas.

Is it OK to smell a little gas?

The smell of gas, whether inside or outside the home, must be taken seriously. Even a tiny spark can ignite the gas, causing damage to your property or worse.

How to test for gas leak in house?

Here are five ways you can check for gas leaks in your house:
  1. Check for a Sulfur or Rotten Egg Smell. ...
  2. Listen for a Whistling or Hissing Noise. ...
  3. Check the Stove or Range Top. ...
  4. Use a Gas Leak Detector. ...
  5. Conduct a Soapy Water Test.

What is considered a gas emergency?

We consider all of the below a gas emergency: You smell an odor similar to sulfur or rotten eggs. There is abnormal pressure (high/low flame) or no gas in all your gas appliances. Gas to an appliance or heating unit stays on and cannot be shut off.

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