How to Determine if You Have a Gas Leak: Safety Tips & Signs

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Gas leaks can pose serious risks to your health and safety. As a source of natural energy, a gas leak can become dangerous and life-threatening if left undetected or improperly handled. In this article, we’ll walk you through all the best ways to detect a gas leak and what to do if you have one so you can avoid fire, natural-gas poisoning, and other natural gas-related accidents. Read on to protect your health and your home from gas leaks.

Things You Should Know

  • Place carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. If the detector picks up on carbon monoxide, it will make a sharp beeping noise and alert you to the problem.
  • Watch out for hissing sounds, white dust clouds, and sulphuric odors, as these may be signs that you have a gas leak.
  • If you suspect you have a gas leak, evacuate your home, opening windows and doors on your way out. Once you’re across the street, call 911.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Checking for Signs of Natural Gas in Your Home

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  1. Natural gases from your appliances have the added chemical mercaptan, making the gas have an unpleasant odor so you can detect it easier. [1] If you notice a sulphuric smell in your home, you may have a gas leak near your stove, water heater, or another appliance.
    • If you have a gas stove, check the burners to ensure they’re completely turned off.
    • Immediately turn off the gas supply line and leave the building if you detect a strong sulphuric odor.
  2. 2
    Check your natural gas alarms, if you have one installed. These will usually be provided by your gas company or by your fire department and are located near gas appliances. Natural gas alarms will report "GAS" or beep continuously if there is natural gas detected in your home. If you have a monitored alarm system, and it appears to be giving a trouble message, see if a gas leak is detected by the panel.
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  3. You may be able to hear the gas leaking from loose connections. [2] If you hear a faint hiss or whistle you haven’t heard before, walk around your home and listen for a change in volume. The louder it gets, the closer you may be to a possible leak.
    • The gas makes a hiss or whistle when it escapes through a tight space, so not all gas leaks will make a noise.
  4. Gas stoves should have blue flames, meaning they have enough oxygen for the gas to combust completely. When the flames on your stove are yellow or orange, the natural gas isn’t burning properly and could be contributing to a gas leak. [3] If you see orange or yellow flames, turn off your stove immediately.
    • Gas stoves may have orange or yellow flames when first lit and should only be cause for concern if the color stays consistent.
    • If you suspect a gas leak, do not turn on your stove to check the flame color.
  5. While natural gas is usually colorless, a leak may stir up dust and make a small cloud near your pipes. Keep your eyes open for any mist or clouds that you can’t account for otherwise. [4]
  6. Plants need carbon dioxide to survive, and gas leaks can limit the amount your plants get. If you notice your plants wilting or yellowing even though you still care for them regularly, you may have gas leaking into your home. [5]
    • Keep plants in areas where gas leaks are common, like in your kitchen or a fireplace, to use as a form of carbon monoxide detection.
  7. Compare your gas bills over a 2-3 month period to see if there’s been a significant change in cost. If you notice a spike in your bill, contact your utility company first to make sure your bill is correct. If everything is right on their end, let them know you may have a gas leak in your home. [6]
    • Keep in mind any changes in your lifestyle. For example, if it’s winter and you’ve been using your furnace more, your gas prices may be higher as a result.
    • Compare old bills from the same time of year to see a more accurate change.
  8. Breathing natural gas or carbon monoxide limits the amount of oxygen your body receives. If you start to experience body pains, headaches, lightheadedness, or nausea for no apparent reason, check your gas lines and appliances to see if you have a leak. [7]
    • Other symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include reduced appetite, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and eye and throat irritation.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Locating a Natural Gas Leak in Your Pipes

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  1. Fill a cup with water and squeeze in a dime-sized amount of dish soap. [8] Then, stir the soap and water together until it starts to form suds.
    • If you don’t have dish soap, you may substitute it with a dime-sized amount of liquid laundry detergent instead.
  2. Dip a small paintbrush into the soapy water so the bristles are completely coated. Then, paint a thin layer of water around the pipe connections where you think there may be a leak. [9] Brush the water around the whole connection point so it’s saturated.

    Common Places for Gas Leaks

    Check the fittings between 2 pipes since the insulation ring may be damaged or old.

    Look near valve shut-offs to see if they're slightly opened or loose.

    Find where your gas lines connect to your appliances to see if the connections are loose or damaged.

  3. Any gas leaking from your pipe connections will make bubbles in the soapy water. If bubbles don’t form at the connection, the gas leak may be in a part of your pipes. Continue brushing or spraying the pipes with soapy water and watching for bubbles until you find the source of your leak. [10]
  4. Use a marker to draw a line on the pipe where you found the gas leak. Once it’s marked, contact your utility company and let them know that you have a gas leak in your home so they can fix it. [11]
    • Never attempt to fix gas lines yourself, as working around leaking gas is incredibly dangerous.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Gas Detectors

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  1. Place carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas toxic to the body. To detect carbon monoxide, place at least 1 detector on each level of your home, according to your detector’s directions. If it detects carbon monoxide in the air, it will chirp loudly, alerting you to the problem. [12]
    • If you're using plug-in detectors rather than battery-powered detectors, put your carbon monoxide detectors in an outlet at knee level or lower, as CO is heavier than air.
    • Never block a carbon monoxide detector with furniture or curtains, as they can restrict airflow.
    • If you have pets or children that would interfere with the detectors at knee level, plug the devices in chest-level outlets.

    Tip: Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are available at your local hardware store and offer double protection against fire and gas leaks.

  2. Use a handheld natural gas detector to find the source of a leak. Portable gas detectors can sense the gas concentration in any area of your home. Walk through your home with the gas detector, keeping an eye on the display meter. If it senses a concentration of 10% methane or more, an alarm will go off to let you know the area is not safe. [13]
  3. Start by closing all your windows and doors 12 hours prior to placing the test. Then, place a short-term test kit in the lowest level of your home and leave it there for 48-72 hours. Use the envelope provided in the kit to send the test results back to the company's lab, where they will calculate the radon levels. [14]
    • If the results come back with 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or higher, call a professional to install a radon mitigation system in your home.
    • Radon is a natural gas that’s odorless, colorless, tasteless, and naturally found in the ground.
    • Avoid keeping or placing radon tests in damp and humid areas, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room.

    Tip: Use long-term radon tests if you want to know the change in radon levels over a period of time longer than 3 months.

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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Taking Safety Precautions if You Suspect a Leak

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  1. Evacuate your home as soon as you’ve determined there’s a gas leak. Once you’re a safe distance away from your home, like across the street, contact the fire department and let them know there is a gas leak. [15]
    • Only re-enter your home once the fire department or other emergency responders have deemed it safe.
  2. Locate the main gas valve near your primary gas meter, usually found on the side of your building or in a cabinet inside. Then, turn the valve so it’s perpendicular to the gas pipes to turn it off. Stopping your gas main should also stop your pilot lights. [16]
  3. Keep your windows and doors open for at least 30 minutes so the gas inside your home can escape. [17] That way, there is a less dangerous concentration in your home, and it’s not as likely to spark or explode.
    • Even if all of your windows and doors are open, evacuate the premises until the gas leak is fixed.
    • If you're unable to exit your building for any reason, stay near an open window or door while you wait for emergency responders to arrive.
  4. Anything electric can create a spark that could ignite a high concentration of natural gas. Avoid turning on any switches, electronics, or gas appliances while you suspect a leak. [18]
    • Avoid using lighters or anything with an open flame in or around your home until the leak is fixed.
    • Don’t search for a gas leak with a flashlight or any other light source.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Do gas meters release a small amount of gas from time to time?
    Community Answer
    Gas meters are not supposed to leak. Call and have it looked at by the gas company.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 13
  • Question
    Can I use Windex to check for a gas leak?
    Community Answer
    No. Soapy water uses surface tension to make bubbles (when there is a gas leak). Windex does not.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    Does a gas leak smell?
    Community Answer
    Yes, natural gas has a distinctive odor that you'll notice in a leak.
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      Tips

      • Have a set meeting point for your family in case of emergencies. For example, you may specify a house or landmark across the street where you all can meet
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      • Hurricanes and other natural disasters can disturb your gas lines. During these times, be sure to keep an eye and nose out for any strange smoke clouds or sulphuric smells.
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      Warnings

      • If there is a gas leak in your home, don’t use anything that could create a spark, like a lighter, and leave your home immediately. Once you’re outside, call the fire department or your utility company’s emergency line from your cell phone.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Using Gas Detectors

      Locating a Leak on Your Gas Pipes

      • Mixing cup
      • Water
      • Liquid dish soap
      • Paintbrush

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      References

      1. ↑ https://portal.ct.gov/PURA/Gas-Pipeline-Safety/What-To-Do-If--You-Smell-Natural-Gas
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/4vWUMdnU6z4?t=1
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/Xo_06hXples?t=15
      4. ↑ https://www.nyc.gov/site/nycha/residents/utility-failures.page
      5. ↑ https://www.housedigest.com/1300054/indoor-plant-warning-sign-could-indicate-gas-leak-home/
      6. ↑ https://raleighnc.gov/leak-adjustment
      7. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/ML5Fezp5h5c?t=4
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/nhx5EG03oGo?t=11
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/X1y-YSCrfoo?t=55
      2. ↑ https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/report-emergency/gas-leak.page
      3. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/where-should-i-place-carbon-monoxide-detector
      4. ↑ https://netl.doe.gov/sites/default/files/2018-05/scanner_technology_0104.pdf
      5. ↑ https://deq.utah.gov/waste-management-and-radiation-control/test-your-home-for-radon
      6. ↑ https://portal.ct.gov/PURA/Gas-Pipeline-Safety/What-To-Do-If--You-Smell-Natural-Gas
      7. ↑ https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/gas-safety/gas-safety-tips.page
      8. ↑ https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03185
      9. ↑ https://portal.ct.gov/PURA/Gas-Pipeline-Safety/What-To-Do-If--You-Smell-Natural-Gas

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To detect a gas leak, check your home for a rotten egg or sulfuric smell, especially around appliances like your stove or water heater. If the scent is strong, immediately turn off the gas supply line to your house, leave the building and get help. Otherwise, you can determine where the gas is leaking from by listening for a hissing or whistling noise near your appliances or pipes. In particular, you should check your gas stove, if you have one, to make sure that all of the burners are off. When you're not sure where the leak is coming from, play it safe by opening your windows for ventilation and turning off both your gas line and pilot lights. Then, make sure to call the fire department for help with the gas leak. For more advice, like how to locate a natural gas leak on your pipes, scroll down.

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