Smelling gas in or around your home can be alarming. While not every gas odour indicates a major leak, it should always be taken seriously. Acting quickly can help protect your home, your family and your property.
Natural gas is odourless, so suppliers add a distinctive smell, often compared to rotten eggs, to make leaks easier to detect. If you’ve noticed this smell around your home, it’s important to know what to do and when to contact a licensed gas plumber.
Why Can I Smell Gas?
There are several reasons you may notice the smell of gas around your property. Some issues are minor, while others require urgent attention.
Common causes include:
- A leaking gas pipe
- A loose appliance connection
- A faulty gas hot water system
- Damaged gas fittings
- An ageing gas line
- A recently installed appliance that hasn’t been connected correctly
Because it’s impossible to determine the cause without proper testing, it’s always safest to have the system inspected by a licensed gas fitter.
What Should You Do If You Smell Gas?
If you suspect a gas leak, remain calm and follow these steps.
Turn off gas appliances if it is safe to do so.
Open doors and windows to help ventilate the area.
Avoid creating sparks. Do not light matches, smoke or operate electrical switches if the smell is strong.
Leave the property if the odour is significant or you believe there may be a large leak.
Contact a licensed gas plumber before using any gas appliances again.
If there is an immediate danger, follow the emergency advice provided by your gas distributor and emergency services.
When Should You Call a Gas Plumber?
While some gas odours may have a simple explanation, there are situations where professional assistance should never be delayed.
Contact a licensed gas plumber if:
- The smell of gas continues after appliances have been turned off.
- The odour becomes stronger over time.
- You hear a hissing sound near gas pipework.
- Your gas hot water system or cooktop suddenly stops working.
- You suspect a damaged gas pipe following building or landscaping work.
Prompt attention can prevent a small issue from becoming a much larger and more expensive problem.
How Our Plumber Can Help
At Our Plumber, our licensed gas fitters use professional testing equipment to safely locate gas leaks and identify the cause of the problem.
Depending on the issue, we may:
- Test the gas system for leaks
- Inspect appliance connections
- Repair damaged gas pipework
- Replace faulty fittings
- Ensure the entire system is operating safely before restoring the gas supply
Rather than simply treating the symptoms, we focus on finding and repairing the source of the problem to provide a safe, long-term solution.
To learn more about our gas fitting and plumbing services, visit our General Plumbing page:
https://ourplumber.com.au/general-plumbing/
You may also find our article Choosing Between Gas and Electric Appliances helpful:
https://ourplumber.com.au/choosing-between-gas-and-electric-appliances/
Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs
A gas smell should never be dismissed, even if it seems to disappear after a short time. Small leaks can worsen over time and may create serious safety risks if left unresolved.
If you’ve noticed the smell of gas in or around your Brisbane home, contact Our Plumber. Our experienced team can inspect your gas system, identify the source of the problem and carry out safe, compliant repairs so you can have complete confidence that your home is safe.