What to Do if You Have a Gas Leak

It goes without saying, but if there is one problem in your house you should never ignore or put off, it’s gas leaks.

No matter the size of the gas leak, you need a licensed professional to attend to it immediately. When you smell gas or suspect a minor or major gas leak for other reasons, here are the essential steps you need to take.

If You Smell Gas Inside Your Home

When you detect a gas smell inside your home or suspect the presence of natural gas leaks, follow these steps.

• Shut off all electrical appliances – If you’re using any electrical appliances or devices in your home, shut them off immediately as they can ignite the leaking gas.
• Extinguish any naked flames – Blow out any candles and turn off the gas stove if you’re using it. Don’t light matches or use cigarette lighters while indoors.
• Open doors and windows – This will provide extra ventilation into your home, which helps to minimise the strength and concentration of flammable gas in the air.
• Turn off the gas at the meter – Do this only if it’s safe to do so. You’ll usually find the gas meter opposite your driveway or in front of your garden. To turn it off you’ll need to turn the valve 90º so it is in a horizontal position. For homes that run off an LP gas supply, you’ll need to turn this cylinder off.
• Evacuate your home – Get yourself and all other occupants out of the confined space and into the open air.
• Call for help – Once everyone is outside and at a safe distance, and all the gas appliances are shut off, call your gas distributor. They’ll help you report the leak and seek emergency services from a licensed gas fitter who can resolve the problem.

Gas safety rule #1 in the event of a natural gas leak in the home is always to keep people safe. Following these steps will go a long way to helping you do so. Don’t re-enter the premises until the gas fitter or emergency services professional has determined it safe. And before using any gas appliance in your home, always have the gas fitting professional inspect it first.

If You Smell Gas Outside Your Home

Should you pick up the distinctive gas smell around your gas meter or the pipe work leading up to it, you’ll need to turn your gas meter off. Remove all ignition sources including open flames and electrical devices. These include hot water system pilot lights, mobile phones, cigarettes, lighters and more.

Your gas distributor deals with gas leaks outside of your property, including the street mains. Inform them of the leak and evacuate the area until they arrive to help.  Keep others away from the area and do not use any electrical devices near the leak that could cause a spark. These could be an ignition source and start a fire.

Gas Appliance Warning Signs

Your gas appliances might begin to show some warning signs before a natural gas leak is even noticeable. For example:

• Your gas heater or stove is burning yellow rather than blue (except for some flame effect heaters)
• You will see soot in or around the appliance
• The flame is burning in the wrong direction
• Unpleasant smells

When you identify these signs you can have a gas fitter out to service your appliances. This can prevent them from becoming a bigger risk.

How to Find a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are very dangerous and should be left to a qualified gas fitter. Your gas fitter will have the tools, skills and experience required to locate and repair a gas leak. A manometer will confirm the presence of a leak. It can then be used to identify pressure irregularities to locate its source.

Depending on the extent of the damage, your gas fitter will repair or replace the pipe or appliance.

If you suspect you have a gas leak, you mustn’t attempt any of the following:

• Locating the gas leak with a naked flame or electrical device
• Operate electrical equipment near a leak
• Turn on/off switches, phones, flashlights or any other electrical devices that could cause a spark
• Smoke or use a lighter or matchstick

Attempting to find a gas leak without the proper tools and techniques could put your home and family at great risk. Gas is flammable and a small spark could lead to a devastating fire or explosion.

If you suspect a gas leak in your home, contact Metropolitan Plumbing and we can have a fully licensed gas fitter at your door within an hour* of your call.

Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.