Natural gas has no smell of its own. Suppliers add an odorant so that a leak announces itself with that familiar rotten-egg smell. If you notice it, treat it as real until a licensed gasfitter tells you otherwise.
What to do straight away
- Do not create a spark. Do not switch lights or appliances on or off, do not use a lighter or matches, and do not start a car in an attached garage.
- Turn off the gas at the meter if you can do it safely. The valve is usually on the pipe beside the meter; turn the handle so it sits across the pipe.
- Open doors and windows to let the gas disperse.
- Get everyone out, including pets, and move well away from the building.
- Make the call from outside. For a leak on the natural gas network in Sydney, call the Jemena faults and emergencies line on 131 909. For bottled LPG, call your gas supplier. If anyone is unwell or there is a fire, call 000.
Where household gas leaks usually come from
- Loose or worn connections behind cooktops and ovens.
- Ageing flexible hoses on appliances and outdoor barbecue points.
- Bayonet fittings for portable gas heaters that do not seal properly.
- Corroded pipework, especially older steel pipe underground or under the house.
- Gas hot water systems and their valves.
Signs that are easy to miss
- A faint smell that comes and goes near an appliance or the meter.
- A hissing sound near gas pipework.
- Burner flames that are yellow, orange or lazy instead of a crisp blue.
- Soot marks around a heater or cooktop.
- Dead patches of grass or garden along an underground gas line.
- A gas bill that has climbed without any change in how you use gas.
Why gas work needs a licensed gasfitter
In NSW, gasfitting must be carried out by a licensed gasfitter. That covers connecting and disconnecting appliances, repairing leaks and altering pipework. Unlicensed gas work is illegal and dangerous, and it can affect your home insurance. A licensed gasfitter should also give you the compliance paperwork for the work they do.
After the immediate danger has passed
Once the gas is off and the area is safe, the leak needs to be found and fixed before the supply goes back on. Our gas fitting and leak detection service covers leak testing, repairs and safe reconnection of appliances. If it is after hours, our 24/7 emergency plumbing line is 0450 876 713.
We work across the Northern Beaches, the North Shore and the Eastern Suburbs. This article is general safety information. If you are ever unsure, get out and call for help first.
