Signs You Have a Gas Leak and What to Do Right Now
Smell rotten eggs near your stove or water heater? That could be a gas leak. Here is how to identify it, what to do immediately, and when to call 911.
Natural gas is odorless, but utility companies add mercaptan, a chemical that smells like rotten eggs, so you can detect leaks. If you smell that rotten egg or sulfur smell in your home, especially near your stove, water heater, furnace, or gas dryer, you may have a gas leak.
A gas leak is a serious emergency. It can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, explosions, and fires. You need to take it seriously and act fast.
How to Identify a Gas Leak
A gas leak can show up in several ways. Some are obvious. Others are subtle.
The rotten egg or sulfur smell. This is the biggest sign. If you walk into your kitchen or laundry room and get hit with that distinctive smell, especially if it gets stronger the closer you get to the stove or water heater, you probably have a gas leak. Trust your nose. Hissing or whistling sound. If you hear a continuous hissing or whistling near gas pipes or appliances, that is gas escaping. Do not ignore this. Dead or dying plants above an underground gas line. If a plant or patch of grass above your underground gas line is suddenly brown and dead while everything around it is fine, that can indicate gas escaping from a buried line. Gas kills plants. Unusually high gas bill. If your gas bill jumped significantly and you did not change your usage habits, a slow leak could be the culprit. Call your gas company for a meter check. Physical symptoms. Exposure to a gas leak can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, or eye and throat irritation. If you are experiencing these symptoms along with a gas smell, that is a red flag. Bubbles in water. If you notice bubbles in a glass of tap water, that could indicate gas in your water lines, though this is less common.If You Smell Strong Gas Right Now
Do this immediately. Do not hesitate.
1. Leave the building immediately. Do not wait. Do not try to find the source. Do not turn on lights or appliances. Just leave.
2. Do not flip light switches. Electrical switches can spark and ignite gas. Same goes for your phone or anything that could create a spark.
3. Do not use your phone inside the house. Once you are outside, you can call 911.
4. Call 911 from outside. Tell them you smell gas. Let them handle it. They will contact the fire department and gas company.
5. Call SoCalGas (Southern California Gas Company). The emergency number is 1-800-427-2200. They have 24/7 emergency response for gas leaks. They will send someone to check your line.
6. Do not go back inside until the fire department or SoCalGas technician clears the home. Even if the smell fades, there could still be a leak.
If you live in the Bellflower, Downey, Whittier, or Norwalk area and you are concerned about gas line safety, a licensed plumber can do a professional inspection.
If You Smell Faint Gas Near an Appliance
If the smell is faint and seems to be coming from a specific appliance like your stove, water heater, or dryer, take these steps:
1. Turn off the appliance. If it is the stove, turn off the knob. If it is the water heater, go to the thermostat and turn it off (or switch to pilot if you know how). Do not force it.
2. Open windows and doors. Get fresh air moving through the house to disperse any gas.
3. Leave the house if the smell persists or gets stronger.
4. Call a licensed gas plumber. Do not try to fix it yourself. Gas line work requires a licensed technician. Tell them what you smelled and where.
A faint smell near an appliance might be a loose connection, a worn seal, or a pilot light issue. These are fixable, but they need professional attention.
Gas Leak Repair Costs
If you have a gas leak, here is what you can expect to pay:
| Repair Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Simple loose connection | $200 - $400 |
| Gas line inspection | $150 - $300 |
| Underground line repair | $500 - $1,500 |
| Gas line segment replacement | $400 - $1,000 |
| Water heater gas line hookup | $300 - $600 |
| Furnace gas line repair | $350 - $800 |
| Repair Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Simple loose connection | $200 - $400 |
| Gas line inspection | $150 - $300 |
| Underground line repair | $500 - $1,500 |
| Gas line segment replacement | $400 - $1,000 |
| Water heater gas line hookup | $300 - $600 |
| Furnace gas line repair | $350 - $800 |
| Repair Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Simple loose connection | $200 - $400 |
| Gas line inspection | $150 - $300 |
| Underground line repair | $500 - $1,500 |
| Gas line segment replacement | $400 - $1,000 |
| Water heater gas line hookup | $300 - $600 |
| Furnace gas line repair | $350 - $800 |
| Repair Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Simple loose connection | $200 - $400 |
| Gas line inspection | $150 - $300 |
| Underground line repair | $500 - $1,500 |
| Gas line segment replacement | $400 - $1,000 |
| Water heater gas line hookup | $300 - $600 |
| Furnace gas line repair | $350 - $800 |
| Repair Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Simple loose connection | $200 - $400 |
| Gas line inspection | $150 - $300 |
| Underground line repair | $500 - $1,500 |
| Gas line segment replacement | $400 - $1,000 |
| Water heater gas line hookup | $300 - $600 |
| Furnace gas line repair | $350 - $800 |
| Repair Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Simple loose connection | $200 - $400 |
| Gas line inspection | $150 - $300 |
| Underground line repair | $500 - $1,500 |
| Gas line segment replacement | $400 - $1,000 |
| Water heater gas line hookup | $300 - $600 |
| Furnace gas line repair | $350 - $800 |
| Repair Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Simple loose connection | $200 - $400 |
| Gas line inspection | $150 - $300 |
| Underground line repair | $500 - $1,500 |
| Gas line segment replacement | $400 - $1,000 |
| Water heater gas line hookup | $300 - $600 |
| Furnace gas line repair | $350 - $800 |
| Repair Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Simple loose connection | $200 - $400 |
| Gas line inspection | $150 - $300 |
| Underground line repair | $500 - $1,500 |
| Gas line segment replacement | $400 - $1,000 |
| Water heater gas line hookup | $300 - $600 |
| Furnace gas line repair | $350 - $800 |
Costs vary depending on what the problem is, how accessible it is, and whether permits are required. Gas line work in Southern California requires a licensed plumber with a current CSLB license.
Prevention and Safety
Do not wait for a leak to happen. Take these steps now:
Install carbon monoxide detectors. CO is odorless and comes from incomplete combustion of gas. A CO detector gives you a second layer of protection. Place them near bedrooms and living spaces. Have your gas lines and appliances inspected annually. A licensed plumber can spot problems before they become dangerous. This is especially important if you have an older furnace or water heater. Call 811 before you dig. If you are doing any landscaping or digging in your yard, call 811 first. They will mark your underground gas lines so you do not accidentally hit one. Never ignore a gas smell. Even if it goes away. Even if you think it was just something in the pipes. If you smell gas, call a plumber or your gas company. A false alarm is better than ignoring a real leak. Know where your gas shut-off is. In a true emergency, you might need to shut off gas at the meter. Ask your plumber or gas company to show you how.Get Help Now
If you smell gas in your home right now, get out and call 911. If you have concerns about your gas line safety, call a licensed plumber. In the Long Beach, Bellflower, and surrounding areas, we can connect you with a plumber who specializes in gas line safety.
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