Smelling Gas Right Now? Do This First
- Leave the house right away. Take everyone, including pets.
- Don’t touch anything electric. No light switches, garage door openers, or appliances.
- Don’t use your phone inside. Walk outside first.
- From a safe distance, call 911 and your gas utility. The number is on your gas bill.
- Stay out until you’re told it’s safe.
If you ever smell gas in your house, the question “what to do?” has a clear answer. Get out first and ask questions later.
Natural gas is safe when it stays inside your pipes and appliances. When it leaks, it can cause fires, explosions, and health problems.
Why Gas Smells Like Rotten Eggs
Natural gas has no smell on its own. Utility companies add a chemical called mercaptan so you can notice a leak.
That is why a rotten egg smell in house air is a serious warning. People also describe it as a sulfur or skunk-like smell.
Never ignore it. Even a faint smell is worth taking seriously.
Gas Leak Signs Beyond the Smell
Your nose is not the only clue. Watch for these gas leak signs:
Inside your home
- A hissing or whistling sound near a gas line or appliance
- A pilot light that burns yellow or orange instead of blue
- A gas stove that won’t light right
- Dizziness, headaches, nausea, or tiredness that fade when you go outside
Outside your home
- Dead or dying grass or plants in one small area
- Bubbles in standing water or mud
- Dirt blowing from the ground near a gas line
- A hissing sound near the meter or buried line
If you notice any of these, treat it as a possible gas leak.
Is It Safe to Stay in a House With a Gas Smell?
No. Is it safe to stay in a house with a gas smell? The answer is never.
Gas can build up in a closed space and ignite from a tiny spark. A spark can come from:
- A light switch
- A phone or doorbell
- A static shock
- A garage door opener
- A running appliance
You can’t tell how big a leak is by the smell. So don’t wait, don’t investigate, and don’t try to find the leak yourself.
What NOT to Do
Some mistakes make a leak much more dangerous. Do not:
- Light a match, candle, or lighter
- Flip light switches on or off
- Use your phone, doorbell, or garage opener inside
- Start a car in an attached garage
- Try to fix the leak yourself
- Go back in to grab something
- Wait to see if the smell goes away
Step by Step: What to Do When You Smell Gas
Here is the full process in order.
Step 1: Get everyone out.
Move quickly and calmly. Help children, older family members, and pets.
Step 2: Leave doors as they are or open them on your way out.
Don’t spend time opening windows or looking for the source.
Step 3: Move away from the house.
Go to a safe distance, such as the street or a neighbor’s yard.
Step 4: Call 911 and your gas utility.
Tell them you smell gas and give your address.
Step 5: Wait for help.
Don’t re-enter until trained responders say it is safe.
Step 6: Call a licensed plumber for repairs.
Once the area is safe, we can find and fix the cause.
Who Do You Call: The Gas Company or a Plumber?
This is where many homeowners get confused. Each one has a different job.
| Who | What They Do |
| 911 / Fire Department | Respond to danger and make the area safe |
| Gas utility | Check the meter, shut off the supply, and fix problems on their side of the meter |
| Licensed plumber | Find and repair leaks in your home’s gas piping and appliance connections |
Think of it this way. The utility handles the gas up to your meter. A plumber handles the pipes and connections inside and around your home.
For an urgent situation, always start with 911 and your gas utility. Then call us for the repair.
Gas Leak Emergency Plumber: How We Help
After the scene is safe, a gas leak emergency plumber gets to work.
Our licensed team can:
- Find the source of the leak
- Test your gas lines for tight, safe connections
- Repair or replace damaged pipe and fittings
- Check gas appliances and connections
- Make sure your system is safe before gas is turned back on
See everything we offer on our emergency gas services page.
Emergency Gas Line Repair: What to Expect
Here is how emergency gas line repair usually goes.
- Safety first. We make sure the area is safe to work in.
- Find the problem. We trace the leak to its source.
- Explain your options. You hear what we found and what it needs, in plain words.
- Repair. We fix or replace the damaged part using proper materials.
- Test. We check the repair before the system is put back in use.
Common Causes of Gas Leaks
Knowing the cause can help you prevent the next one.
- Old or corroded gas pipes
- Loose fittings or connections
- Damaged flexible gas connectors
- Faulty gas appliances
- A shifted or damaged line after digging or construction
- Wear and age
Gas appliances like your furnace, stove, dryer, and water heater are common spots. If you are replacing one, our water heater services include safe gas connections.
Gas Line Inspection: Why It Matters
Don’t wait for a smell. A regular gas line inspection can catch problems early.
A plumber checks:
- Pipe condition and signs of rust
- Fittings and connections
- Appliance hookups
- Shutoff valves
- Signs of past leaks
It is smart to book an inspection when you:
- Move into a new home
- Install a new gas appliance
- Finish a remodel
- Notice an odd smell, even a faint one
- Have an older home with older pipes
Our residential plumbing team can include gas checks as part of a routine visit.
Gas Leak vs. Carbon Monoxide: Know the Difference
These are two different dangers, and people mix them up.
Natural gas leak
- Has a rotten egg smell
- Can cause fire or explosion
- Can also cause dizziness and headaches
Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Has no smell and no color
- Comes from fuel burning poorly
- Needs a working CO alarm to detect
Make sure you have CO alarms near bedrooms and on every level. If a CO alarm goes off, leave the house and call 911.
Gas Safety Habits for Homeowners
A few simple habits lower your risk.
- Test CO and smoke alarms regularly
- Know where your gas shutoff is
- Keep the area around gas appliances clear
- Don’t store paint, rags, or flammables near the water heater
- Watch for flame color on gas stoves. It should be blue.
- Schedule a yearly check of gas appliances
- Call a licensed pro for any gas work. Never do it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I smell gas in my house?
Leave right away with everyone inside, and don’t touch light switches or use your phone indoors. From a safe distance, call 911 and your gas utility. Once the area is safe, our emergency gas services team can handle repairs across Laurel, MD.
Is it safe to stay in a house with a gas smell?
No. Gas can build up inside your home and ignite from a tiny spark, even from a switch or a phone. It can also make you dizzy or sick. Leave first, then call for help. After the area is cleared, you can contact our team to find and fix the cause.
What are the most common gas leak signs?
The biggest signs are a rotten egg smell, a hissing sound near a gas line, and dead plants outside near a buried line. A yellow or orange pilot flame and unexplained headaches are warning signs too. If your gas water heater seems off, check our water heater services. For other home concerns, see our residential plumbing page.
Why does my house smell like rotten eggs?
Natural gas has no smell on its own, so utilities add a chemical that smells like sulfur. That is why a rotten egg smell can mean a gas leak. Leave the house and call 911 and your gas utility. A smell can also come from drains, so our drain cleaning team can check that once gas is ruled out.
Should I call the gas company or a plumber first?
Call 911 and your gas utility first, because they can make the area safe and shut off the supply. A licensed plumber then repairs the gas piping and appliance connections inside and around your home. Our emergency gas services cover that work. Businesses can also see our commercial plumbing page.
What does emergency gas line repair involve?
A plumber first makes sure the area is safe, then finds the leak and explains your options in plain words. The damaged pipe or fitting is repaired or replaced, and the line is tested before use. See all we offer on our services page. You can also learn more about our licensed team.
How often should I schedule a gas line inspection?
A yearly check is a good habit, especially for older homes and homes with several gas appliances. Book one after a remodel, a new appliance install, or any odd smell. Our residential plumbing team can include it in a routine visit. For more answers, visit our FAQs page.