Smell Gas? Here’s Exactly What To Do Right Now

If you can smell gas in your home, stop reading this on your phone inside the house. Get everyone out first. Then read the rest from outside.

Gas leaks are one of the few plumbing emergencies where doing the wrong thing in the first 30 seconds can be the difference between a repair bill and a disaster. Natural gas and LPG are both explosive when they mix with air in the right concentration. One spark from a light switch, phone, or appliance can ignite it.

Here’s what to do, step by step.

Emergency Steps — Do These Now

1. Get out of the house — don’t stop to grab anything. Take everyone (kids, pets, elderly family members) and move at least 50 metres away.
2. Do NOT touch any electrical switches — don’t turn lights on or off. Don’t unplug anything. Don’t use your mobile phone inside the house.
3. Do NOT use any flame or ignition source — no lighters, matches, cigarettes, candles, or BBQ igniters anywhere near the area.
4. Turn off the gas at the meter (if safe to do so) — the shutoff valve is at the meter, usually on the side of the house. Turn the valve handle perpendicular to the pipe to close it. Only do this if you can reach the meter safely without going back inside.
5. Call 000 — if the gas smell is strong or you suspect a significant leak, call emergency services.
6. Call your gas distributor’s emergency line — in Moreton Bay, that’s typically Australian Gas Networks.
7. Call us — once the immediate emergency is handled, a licensed gas fitter needs to find the leak, fix it, and test the system before gas is turned back on. Call 1300 793 962.

How To Identify A Gas Leak

• The smell: Natural gas is odourless, so an additive called mercaptan is mixed in to give it that distinctive rotten egg or sulphur smell. If you notice it even faintly, take it seriously.
• A hissing sound: Gas escaping from a pipe or fitting under pressure makes a hissing or whistling noise. Check around your gas meter, hot water system, cooktop connections, and gas heater lines.
• Dead or dying plants: Gas leaking from underground pipes kills vegetation above. A patch of dead grass near a gas line that can’t be explained by drought could be a leak.
• Physical symptoms: Low-level gas exposure causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. If multiple people feel unwell at the same time near gas appliances, get out and investigate.
• Higher than expected gas bills: A leak you can’t smell or hear still costs you money. If your gas bill spikes without explanation, have the system pressure tested.
• Bubbles in water: If a gas pipe runs near water (puddles, fish ponds), you might see bubbling where gas is escaping underground.

Where Gas Leaks Happen In Caboolture Homes

• Gas connections to hot water systems: The most common location. Outdoor gas units are exposed to weather, soil movement, and corrosion. Connections loosen over time.
• Flexi hose connections: Gas flexi hoses deteriorate just like water flexi hoses. The rubber degrades, fittings corrode, and leaks develop at the connection points.
• Underground gas pipes: Older homes may have steel or copper gas pipes underground. Clay soil movement, corrosion, and tree root interference can damage these pipes.
• Cooktop and oven connections: Gas bayonet fittings behind ovens and cooktops can loosen if the appliance is pulled out and pushed back.
• Gas meter and regulator: The meter and pressure regulator can develop leaks at connections, seals, or the regulator diaphragm.

Why You Can’t DIY Gas Work In Queensland

In Queensland, all gas fitting work must be done by a licensed gas fitter under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018. This includes:

• Connecting or disconnecting gas appliances — moving a gas cooktop? You need a gas fitter.
• Repairing gas pipes and fittings — even tightening a connection on a gas line requires a licence.
• Testing gas systems — pressure testing and leak detection must be done by a licensed professional.

The penalties for unlicensed gas work are serious — fines up to $40,000 for individuals. More importantly, unlicensed gas work voids your home insurance and puts lives at risk.

Prevention — Stop Leaks Before They Start

• Annual gas system inspection — a licensed gas fitter pressure tests the system, checks all connections, and inspects appliances
• Replace gas flexi hoses on schedule — same rule as water flexi hoses: replace every 5 years
• Pre-purchase plumbing inspection — buying a home? A plumbing inspection includes gas system testing
• Know your shutoff valve — every adult in the house should know where the gas meter is and how to turn it off
• Install a gas detector — battery-operated gas detectors provide early warning of leaks in enclosed spaces like laundries and garages

What It Costs

• Simple connection repairs: From $300
• Underground pipe or gas line section replacement: From $1,500 depending on access and complexity

We provide upfront pricing after diagnosis — no surprises.

Don’t Ignore Even A Faint Gas Smell

If something smells off near your gas appliances or gas meter, don’t convince yourself it’s nothing. A small leak today is a bigger leak tomorrow. Get it checked.

Call 1300 793 962 or contact us for a gas safety inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a gas leak smell like?

Natural gas is odourless on its own. A chemical called mercaptan is added to give it a strong rotten egg or sulphur smell so leaks can be detected. LPG (bottled gas) has a similar additive. If you notice this smell near gas appliances, pipes, or your meter, treat it as a leak until proven otherwise.

Can a gas leak make you sick?

Yes. Low-level exposure causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and breathing difficulties. Prolonged exposure in an enclosed space can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal. If multiple people in your household feel unwell simultaneously, especially near gas appliances, evacuate and call for help.

How much does a gas leak repair cost in Caboolture?

Simple connection repairs are typically from $300. If the leak is in an underground pipe or requires replacing a section of gas line, costs start from $1,500 depending on access and complexity. We provide upfront pricing after diagnosis so there are no surprises.

How do plumbers find gas leaks?

We use electronic gas detection instruments that can pinpoint the exact location of a leak, even underground. We also pressure test the gas system — we pressurise the pipes and monitor for pressure drops that indicate a leak.

Is it safe to stay in the house with a small gas leak?

No. Even a small leak is dangerous. Gas accumulates in enclosed spaces and can reach explosive concentrations. Always evacuate, ventilate by opening windows and doors from outside if possible, and call a licensed gas fitter to investigate.