What does a gas leak smell like? How to identify a gas leak
Key takeaways:
Gases like natural gas and propane are fossil fuel energy sources that can efficiently power home appliances like furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves and more. They can be very useful but may also cause issues if they happen to leak from the appliance or pipelines into the surrounding environment. Gas leaks can cause harm to people and animals as well. As such, it’s essential to get them resolved quickly when they occur.
To resolve a gas leak, you first need to detect its presence in your house or apartment. Since gases are typically invisible to the naked eye, smell is a more reliable means to identify any leaks. Therefore, it’s important to learn how gas leaks can smell so you can recognize a leak and get it fixed before damage occurs.
Gas leak smells
Gas leaks can be caused by punctures to pipelines, incorrect appliance installation, extreme weather events and more. They can lead to fires, catastrophic combustion and health effects like headaches, confusion, nausea and even death. From 2003 to 2018, a total of 2.4 million gas leak incidents required fire department responses, accounting for approximately 0.8% of all nationwide incidents. To recognize a gas leak and be able to call for assistance, you should know how different gas leaks smell.
Natural gas
Natural gas contains methane, which is odorless, making it hard to identify a gas leak. Therefore, natural gas suppliers add a gas called mercaptan to their products, which provides a smell of sulfur or rotten eggs. This helps people identify a natural gas leak both inside and outside their homes.
Propane
Propane is also an odorless gas, so manufacturers add mercaptan to detect ake detecting propane tank leaks easier. Because of this additive, propane leaks can smell like rotten eggs, sulfur or skunk spray.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide results from burning fossil fuels, so if you have appliances that burn fuel to operate water heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, etc., you have potential sources of carbon monoxide leaks. Carbon monoxide is another odorless gas, so it can’t be detected by smell.
It’s recommended to install carbon monoxide alarms in your home, which can detect leaks.
Other gases that can leak include fluorine, helium and butane. The smell of fluorine gas is similar to a chlorinated pool or bleach, while helium is odorless. Butane has a faint smell like petroleum, but it also has mercaptan added to make leak detection easier.
Other ways to identify gas leaks
Along with identifying smells, there are other ways to recognize a potential gas leak. One way is to listen for any hissing sounds, as some gas leaks may cause them as the gas escapes.
Another way is to notice any unusual physical symptoms that you or members of your family might experience. Undetected gas leaks can cause certain physical symptoms like chronic headaches, fatigue, nausea and dizziness. If your family members experience these for no apparent medical reason, it may be due to a gas leak.
A higher-than-normal gas bill may also indicate a gas leak, as it can cause a sudden increase in the amount of energy you’re using. If you notice your houseplants or vegetation dying off suddenly, it may also be a sign of a gas leak. You can also use a gas detector to identify any leaks in or outside of your home.
What to do if you smell a gas leak
If you think you have a gas leak because you smell rotten eggs or sulfur, it’s important to act quickly. Even if it turns out not to be a leak, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Follow these steps depending on whether the odor is slight or strong.
Slight odor
If you notice a slight odor, you can open your windows for ventilation and turn off the shutoff valve to your home’s natural gas. If you’re not sure where it is, we offer a guide to help you find your gas shut-off valve. Then, you should inform your local utility company about your suspicions and wait for further instructions or assistance.
Strong odor
If you notice a strong odor of a gas leak inside your home, you should evacuate yourself, your family and your pets. Go outside and move to a safe location. It’s best to do this without using any lights or electrical equipment that may create a spark. You should put out all open flames and avoid smoking, striking matches and lighting candles.
Once you’re outside your home, call your gas company immediately to report the leak. They will provide further information and send qualified professionals to your location to inspect the issue and fix it.
If you notice odors of a gas leak outside, you should move to a safe place away from the premises and call your gas company’s customer service hotline for help. Don’t try to locate the leak yourself or operate powered equipment near potential gas leaks.
How to prevent gas leaks
Although it’s not always possible to prevent gas leaks, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the chances of them happening. One of the main steps is to keep up with maintenance and repairs of your gas appliances.
Your appliances should be in good working condition. If they’re not, you should make sure to get them promptly repaired. You can also schedule routine checkups for your appliances, including your furnace, water heater, stove, etc. Scheduling regular gas fireplace maintenance is also recommended.
Another step to take is to routinely check your plumbing vent to ensure that methane gas is escaping properly and not going back into your home. You should also get yearly HVAC inspections to check for blockages or leaks in your exhaust venting that can stop the flow of combustion gases and lead to carbon monoxide buildup. Hiring a professional is best for these inspections, as they know exactly what to look for and how to repair it if needed.
Get coverage for gas appliances and systems from Cinch Home Services
If you experience a gas leak in your home, it can lead to costly repairs or replacements. While we don't cover gas leaks, investing in a home protection plan from Cinch Home Services can help protect you from major expenses if your home’s major appliances and built-in systems malfunction or need to be replaced. Our plans help bring you peace of mind by providing flexible coverage options with a 180-day workmanship guarantee for covered repairs. To learn more about our plan options, contact us or get an instant quote today.
The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.
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