So when in doubt and you smell natural gas call 911 but if it's only outside and it's a cold morning or night. It very likely could be a combination of a temperature inversion and the
It's normal for a faint odor to remain after lighting a stove or if the pilot light in a hot water heater, gas fireplace or other appliance goes out. Nonetheless, any possible leak must be taken seriously, especially if the odor is strong, persistent, or accompanied by a hissing sound.
The gas smell may be normal, if it is around the burners. If you have negative pressure inside your house caused by kitchen and bath fans, then you may smell gas outside of the furnace, even though the furnace is operating correctly.
Yes, it is perfectly normal to smell some gas from a meter due to the way it is constructed with regulator valves. This helps with the actual flow of gas that enters the household maintain a steady pressure that is rated for household appliances. What it does is just vents small amounts when the pressure surges.
In its natural state, natural gas is odorless and colorless. To make gas leaks easier to detect, gas companies add chemicals called odorants to create a natural gas smell similar to sulphur or rotting eggs. The stronger this smell, the more likely it is that you have a gas leak.
Call 911 immediately.
Report your location, including cross streets, and whether there's digging nearby.
They can even go on for months undetected. But if there's a significant amount of gas escaping from your system, it can cause a spike in your gas bill.
So when in doubt and you smell natural gas call 911 but if it's only outside and it's a cold morning or night. It very likely could be a combination of a temperature inversion and the gas meters doing what they are supposed to do.
The Gas Company is responsible for the main gas lines that run from the street to the property line, while property owners are responsible for the gas lines that extend from the property line to the building.
One often not considered source of a “gas-like” smell that can come from your home is bacteria inside of your sink or sewer system. It has a similar smell to the sulfur that is added to gas to give it an odor but is obviously less dangerous.
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.
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.
Many adverse health effects of gasoline are due to individual chemicals in gasoline, mainly BTEX, that are present in small amounts. Breathing small amounts of gasoline vapors can lead to nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and breathing difficulties.
Stinky gas is normal and usually more about what you ate rather than a health concern.
If You Smell Gas or Suspect a Gas Leak. If you smell natural gas or suspect a gas leak, don't delay – get away! Get everyone away from the area or out of the building immediately, report the situation to 911 and then call our 24/7 hotline at 877-832-6747.
The most common cause of gas leaks outside the house is natural wear and tear on old pipes or other equipment. Over time, pipes may become corroded or damaged due to water seepage or shifting soil. This can create tiny cracks in the piping that allow natural gas to escape.
At times it will normally bleed off or “burp” small amounts of gas to keep the pressure from building up too high in your home. So, yes, it is normal to smell a faint smell of gas by the meter. Is the odor more constant? If you smell gas more than occasionally and it is continuous, you may have a gas leak.
Natural gas has no odor. Gas companies add a harmless chemical called mercaptan to give it its distinctive “rotten egg” smell. All natural gas and propane pipeline gas in Connecticut is odorized. If you smell gas near an appliance, it may be just a pilot light that has gone out or a burner valve that is open slightly.
Phantosmia refers to detecting smells that aren't really there. It's a symptom of many common conditions, including allergies, colds and upper respiratory infections. It could also indicate a brain-related condition, including epilepsy, stroke or Alzheimer's disease.
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.
Is a small gas leak dangerous? Yes, it is. A small gas leak can still catch on fire and trigger an explosion from another fire source or electrical spark.
Can a slow gas leak make you sick? Yes, a slow gas leak can cause chronic health conditions, including respiratory problems and lethargy or fatigue.
Natural gas explosions are not only devastating but often deadly. A small leak, if exposed to a spark or flame, can trigger an explosion powerful enough to cause huge fires and significant loss of life. The energy blast of the explosion can damage or even destroy houses and buildings.