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Fast Plumbing Answers: What To Do If You Smell Gas
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Smelling gas in your home can be alarming, and for good reason. Natural gas leaks pose significant safety risks. So why do you smell gas? Do you have a gas leak, and what caused it? And how do you safely fix the issue and protect your home and family?
Let’s answer your questions in 2 minutes or less.
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Don’t Wait, Don’t DIY. Just Get Out of the House.
We asked Colton Staley, Mother Tradesman Plumber, for advice on what to do if you smell a gas leak in your home. His urgent advice: don’t be a hero.
If you smell gas, do not attempt to locate the source yourself. Avoid doing anything that could create a spark, such as turning on or off light switches, using electronic devices (including your phone inside the house), or lighting matches.
"The first thing you want to do is contact the fire department,” Colton says. “Or you could also contact a plumber. Either one of those can shut off the gas line for you, but you definitely want to take action fast whenever you smell gas inside your house."
Follow these steps immediately:
- Evacuate: Get everyone out of the house immediately.
- Call for Help: Once you are a safe distance away, call your local fire department or a qualified plumber. Do not call from inside the house.
- Do Not Re-enter: Do not go back inside the house until it has been declared safe by the authorities or the plumber.
Once the gas is turned off, the next step is professional leak detection. As Colton explains, "The next step is locating where that leak is at. That is something that a plumber can handle.”
“We need to do an entire gas test. We'll go throughout the entire system and just pinpoint where that leak is."
This is not a DIY job. This process requires specialized equipment and expertise to identify the exact source of the leak and ensure it is properly repaired. Attempting to repair a gas line yourself is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious injury or death.
Here’s Why You Smell Gas in the House
The most likely reason you're smelling gas in your house is a leak in your natural gas line or one of the appliances connected to it. Natural gas is intentionally odorized with a rotten egg smell (often sulfur), so that even small leaks are easily detectable.
A primary cause of these leaks is faulty or aging gas lines. Over time, pipes can corrode, develop cracks due to ground shifting, or experience loose connections.
Another common reason is a malfunctioning gas appliance, such as a water heater, furnace, stove, or clothes dryer. Issues like loose fittings, damaged connectors, or internal component failures can lead to gas escaping. Cut off gas to this appliance and call a plumber immediately.
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Ignore That Smell At Your Own Peril
Ignoring a gas smell always has severe consequences. The most immediate and dangerous risk is explosion and fire. Natural gas is highly flammable, and even a small spark can ignite a buildup of gas.
Beyond the risk of immediate catastrophe, prolonged exposure to even low levels of natural gas can lead to health issues. Symptoms can include headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and respiratory problems.
An unresolved gas leak will continue to waste energy, leading to higher utility bills. The longer a leak persists, the greater the potential for significant damage to your property and the increased risk to your well-being.
Call Mother Modern Plumbing
If you suspect a gas leak in your Dallas-Fort Worth home, don't hesitate.
Contact Mother Modern Plumbing immediately for prompt and reliable service.
Our experienced plumbers are equipped to handle gas line issues efficiently and safely, ensuring the integrity of your home's plumbing system and your peace of mind.
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