Smell gas in your home? What to do

Introduction to Gas Leaks

Ensuring the safety of your household starts with LP gas vigilance at home. A natural gas leak, if left undetected, can lead to perilous outcomes like explosions, fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, or even loss of life. Understanding what to do when you detect a gas odour is crucial for recognition, response, and prevention of gas leaks.

As your trusted local plumbing provider since 2025, Kenthurst Plumbing is here to offer reliable gas leak detection, repair, and general gas services where you can smell gas to local homeowners in Kenthurst, Sydney. This article provides essential guidance on what you should do if you identify signs of a gas leak, helping you respond effectively to protect your dwelling.

Signs of a Potential Gas Leak

There are a few key signs that may indicate a gas leak in your home:

• A distinct gas smell, reminiscent of rotten eggs or sulfur, is intentionally added by your gas company to help in the detection of gas leaks in your property. A strong odour near gas appliances may indicate a leak and prompt the question, 'What should I do if I suspect a natural gas leak?'
• Hearing hissing or roaring from appliances or pipes could signal a gas leak. Be alert for any unusual sounds like hisses or whistles. The sounds could also signal that gas is likely seeping into your house from a concealed leak.
• Dead or dying vegetation in one area just outside your home. Unexplained dying vegetation above a gas line, coupled with drafts through doors and windows, could indicate an escaping gas and a potential leak.
• Symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or shortness of breath could signify carbon monoxide poisoning, similar to rotten egg or sulfur odours associated with gas leaks. These symptoms may indicate you have been exposed to carbon monoxide from a gas leak your body is experiencing.

If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s crucial to do smell gas checks right away to ensure everyone’s safety and determine the source of the potential leak. The next sections cover appropriate response steps.

What to Do If You Detect a Gas Leak

If you detect signs of a potential gas leak or smell gas your home, follow these crucial response steps:

1. Avoid actions that could trigger a spark and ignite a gas leak, such as using phones, flipping light switches, or handling electrical devices. Even the smallest spark has the potential to do gas ignition for any gas present in your abode.
2. Evacuate to secure a safe route away from the premises, then call your local gas authority as required. Make sure to account for all people and pets, and contact your gas supplier if necessary.
3. If it’s safe and achievable, turn off the main at its source by switching off your gas meter valve positioned outside. Use a wrench to turn the valve a quarter turn clockwise, completely shutting off the gas supply.
4. From a secure distance, with windows and doors left open to reduce gas concentration, should you still detect signs of a gas leak, dial 000 to notify emergency services. Additionally, inform your gas distributor of the potential gas leak your home is facing immediately.
5. Do not re-enter the premises until emergency crews have assessed where the gas is coming from and deemed it safe again. An expert is required to determine the origin of such issues.

Taking these crucial steps swiftly upon detecting or suspecting a leak is vital for preventing disaster. Safety remains the top priority when dealing with dangerous gas leaks in your Kenthurst home or business premises.

Calling the Gas Company

After you’ve cleared the area and turned off the gas supply (if you’ve determined it’s safe), it’s crucial to report the gas leak if detected by contacting your gas utility company immediately. As a Kenthurst homeowner, call Kenthurst Plumbing straight away on 1300 349 338.

When contacting the operator, be prepared to provide your contact details and other pertinent information:

• Your personal details, residential address, and how to reach you in case a gas leak smell is confirmed
• The location of the suspected gas leak
• Any obvious signs you noticed (e.g., rotten eggs sulfur-like smell)
• If you have turned off the main gas valve, and if you smell gas around your gas appliance whether it is left on or off

If you’re ever uncertain, pondering 'Do I smell gas in this area?', our gas fitter team is equipped to help with any gas emergencies in Kenthurst and the surrounding suburbs. We can despatch qualified gas fitters promptly to:

• Assess and repair leaks
• Restore gas supply once leaks are fixed
• Check gas appliances for proper function after outages
• Provide gas safety advice

Don’t hesitate to call your trusted Kenthurst Plumbing when you smell gas leak indicative of a leak or suspect any leakage. Acting quickly and contacting a licensed gasfitter helps prevent risks like fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning after gas leaks.

Evacuating the Area

Immediate and careful evacuation is critical when suspecting a gas leak. As soon as signs of a leak are noticed, gather all occupants of the home or premises and exit immediately. Account for every person and pet before assembling at a designated meeting spot away from the home.

Do not return to the property until emergency services confirm the gas leak has been resolved and there are no remaining safety concerns.

The trace odour gas companies add might persist for hours even after the source gas is controlled; avoid re-entry if you smell gas inside. Rushing back prematurely risks exposure to the odourless, toxic fumes. Wait for professionals to thoroughly assess for gas clearance before entering again.

Kenthurst Plumbing’s licenced technicians have advanced gas detection equipment to accurately test air quality and ensure homes are safe for re-entry after leaks. Never guess about safety - let the experts provide gas leak evacuation guidance to protect your household.

Safety Precautions

Initial safety measures are crucial when responding to a potential gas leak; knowing the next steps is essential. Avoid doing anything that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion or fire.

• Refrain from smoking any substances, operating electrical devices and appliances, or using mobile phones. Any spark near gas leaking can trigger ignition.
• If it can be done without hazard, while using gas devices, unlock and open all doors and windows to encourage ventilation and dissipate any gas accumulation.
• Abstain from trying to light any appliance or activating potential ignition sources until given the go-ahead by professionals.

Ensuring proper ventilation and removing ignition sources reduces combustion risk and toxic vapours—a crucial gas safety measure. Take all precautions until emergency crews confirm your Kenthurst property is safe to re-enter after a leak. Safety remains the priority when responding to gas leak threats in the home.

Seeking Professional Assistance

Professional assessment and repair are imperative when gas leaks occur in your Kenthurst home. DIY attempts at fixing gas leak can cause exacerbation of leaks and pose significant risk to occupants.

Boasting over 15 years of experience as licensed gasfitters, Kenthurst Plumbing offers both emergency services and routine upkeep:

• Our professionals use state-of-the-art technology to detect and accurately pinpoint the source of gas odours.
• We safely cap leaks using quality materials that won’t fail over time.
• Licensed gas technicians check your gas appliances and entire gas system for safety once leaks are stopped.
• Ongoing servicing ensures pipes, connections and appliances function optimally.

For gas leak assistance anytime in Kenthurst, call Kenthurst Plumbing on 1300 555 1234. Our professionals are fully equipped to resolve emergencies or schedule maintenance checks protecting your household.

Inspecting for Leaks

As licenced and experienced gas fitters, our team at Kenthurst Plumbing uses advanced techniques to thoroughly inspect for gas leaks. We recommend homeowners can also have yearly inspections to help maintain safety.

During inspections, our technicians:

• Use gas detectors that can recognise leaks down to minute concentrations
• Test pipe joints, valves and appliances with leak detection fluid to spot issues
• Inspect the piping system and components for corrosion, damage or loose fittings
• Ensure the pilot lights of each gas appliance are burning properly
• Confirm adequate ventilation around gas appliances
• Review previous gas appliance service records when available

Annual inspections can only ensure the gas network in Kenthurst homes remains entirely safe for households. If an appliance fails checks, we can provide repairs or replacements. Stay vigilant year-round also by watching for leak signs like smell rotten egg smells.

For professional leak checks or repairs, contact our team on 1300 555 1234. Kenthurst Plumbing services all gas systems to the latest standards, providing helpful maintenance protecting your home.

Performing Repairs

When gas leaks occur, repairs must only be performed by qualified professionals. Attempting DIY fixes often exacerbates issues and introduces further risk. Kenthurst Plumbing’s licenced gas fitters have extensive training to correctly identify leak sources and perform necessary repairs.

Our repair process focuses on:

• Pinpointing the origin of leaks using leak detection fluids, gas detectors, pressure tests, and thorough visual inspections.
• Make sure all faulty parts like valves, joints, regulators or damaged pipe sections are replaced.
• Ensuring all appliances function properly and are adjusted for optimal gas flow/combustion.
• Checking ventilation meets standards.
• Conducting follow-up leak checks after concluding repairs.

We also provide certified servicing and maintenance for water systems including your water heater to help prevent leaks arising from wear, corrosion or loose fittings over time.

For urgent gas leak repairs or routine servicing of your appliances and network in the Kenthurst area, call Kenthurst Plumbing on 1300 555 1234. Our technicians operate 24/7 to resolve gas emergencies and hot water system issues promptly and safely.

Installing Safety Devices

Installing safety devices like gas detectors and carbon monoxide alarms can help prevent dangerous gas leak incidents in Kenthurst homes. As your licenced local gas fitters, Kenthurst Plumbing recommends all households have these devices professionally installed.

We offer installation of:

• Natural gas detectors - Detect even small leaks when you use natural gas before they become hazardous. Models with remote sensors positioned close to appliances provide extensive protection into your home.
• Carbon monoxide alarms - Natural gas can detect even tiny amounts, instrumental in identifying toxic CO emanations from leaks, which can accumulate to perilous concentrations.
• Excess flow valves - Shut off the gas supply automatically if a major gas flow is sensed, indicating a substantial leak.
• Appliance shut-off valves - Allow gas to be shut off for individual appliances without cutting whole home supply.

Our technicians select optimal alarm placements plus the safest, most advanced models on the market. Our installers ensure all devices meet stringent Australian gas standards and keep the away smell of gas at bay with relevant building codes.

For gas safety inspections orprofessional installation of safety equipment in your Kenthurst property, contact our team on 1300 555 1234.