If you suspect a gas leak, immediately leave the house, do not turn any lights or appliances on or off, and call your local gas provider or 911 from a safe distance outside. Natural gas is explosive, so safety is paramount.
One of the best ways to detect a gas leak is to use a gas leak detector. Given how dangerous a gas leak can be, installing a fast and dependable leak detector should give you an early warning of trouble.
If you suspect a gas leak, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Reporting a gas leak and getting it checked out is free, but repairs are your responsibility.
If you smell rotten eggs, hear a hissing or whistling noise near appliances, or notice a discolored (yellow or orange) flame on your stove, you may have a gas leak. It can also cause physical symptoms like sudden headaches, dizziness, or nausea, as well as dead houseplants.
To safely test for a gas leak at home, create a solution of 1 teaspoon dish soap and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray or brush this mixture onto pipe joints and gas connections. If escaping gas creates bubbles, you have pinpointed a leak.
What common household smells can be mistaken for a gas leak? Sometimes mold, rotten eggs from food, or sewer smells can confuse you. Gas leaks have a distinct rotten egg or sulfur smell added by gas companies.
No, a standard carbon monoxide detector will not detect a gas leak. They are specifically calibrated to detect carbon monoxide, which is a byproduct of combustion, rather than explosive gases like natural gas (methane) or propane.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
A small gas leak can go unnoticed for weeks, months, or even years. Tiny leaks in well-ventilated or rarely used areas (like basements or behind walls) often escape detection because the escaping gas either dissipates harmlessly or the added sulfur-like odorant fades over time.
Most leaks occur at utility pipelines, but leaks occasionally happen in residential areas, including in-home leaks. The best thing you can do to keep your home safe from in-home leaks is to maintain your gas-powered appliances well and call for repairs right away.
Yes, even a small gas leak can make you sick. Natural gas reduces the amount of oxygen in the air, causing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. For safety, leave the area immediately without turning on lights or switches, and call your gas provider or 911 from outside.
The smell of rotten eggs.
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.
Yes, you can easily buy gas leak detectors online or at local home improvement stores. There are two main types depending on your needs:
Yes, licensed plumbers can detect and repair gas leaks. They use specialized equipment such as electronic "sniffers" to detect combustible gas and perform pressure tests to pinpoint leaks in pipes, fittings, and appliances.
A gas leak in your house smells strongly of rotten eggs or sulfur. Natural gas and propane are naturally colorless and odorless, so utility companies add a harmless but pungent chemical called mercaptan to the gas so it can be easily detected in an emergency.
Ready Safety Tip: if you're using natural gas to keep your home warm, have a carbon monoxide detector and replace the batteries annually. If there is a leak, get out immediately and call 911.
No, a faint smell of gas is never considered completely normal or safe.
How long does it take to get carbon monoxide poisoning? In high concentrations of carbon monoxide, it can take fewer than five minutes to get carbon monoxide poisoning. Under lower concentrations, it can take an hour to two hours to cause poisoning.
The smell of "gas" usually refers to either the rotten-egg odor added to natural gas and propane, or the sharp, pungent chemical scent of vehicle fuel.
One of the most common early symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a headache, often described as dull or persistent. Because CO is odorless and colorless, these early signs are frequently mistaken for the flu or food poisoning.
Gas or gas pains accompanied by other symptoms may mean more-serious conditions. See your healthcare professional if you have any of these additional symptoms: Bloody stools. Change in consistency of stools.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is widely known as the "silent killer" gas. It gets this name because it is completely invisible, tasteless, and odorless, meaning it can build up to lethal levels in a room without the victim ever realizing they are breathing it in.
It is also a good idea to know the signs of a potential CO problem:
Carbon monoxide is called the silent killer. You can't see it or smell it, but it can make you very sick or even be deadly. This November, take simple steps to protect your home and family: Check your CO detectors, inspect appliances, and never use generators or fuel-burning tools indoors.
Faulty Gas Appliances
Many homes and businesses rely on gas appliances such as water heaters, furnaces, ovens, and dryers. Over time, these appliances can wear out, leading to leaks. Gas lines that supply these appliances may develop cracks or other weaknesses, allowing gas to escape into the surrounding area.