Recognizing the Signs of a Gas Leak
The Smell
Natural gas is naturally odorless, so utility companies add a chemical (mercaptan) that smells like rotten eggs or sulfur specifically so leaks are noticeable. Any unexplained rotten-egg smell in or around your home, even faint or intermittent, warrants taking this seriously rather than dismissing it.
Sound
A hissing or whistling sound near a gas line, meter, or appliance connection — even a quiet one you only notice in an otherwise silent room — can indicate gas escaping under pressure.
Visual Signs Outdoors
Dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise healthy area, particularly in a line where you know an underground gas line runs, or bubbling in wet or standing water outdoors can indicate an underground leak.
Physical Symptoms
Unexplained dizziness, headache, nausea, or fatigue that improves when you leave the house and returns when you're back inside can be a sign of gas exposure, even without an obvious smell — natural gas exposure symptoms are sometimes mistaken for unrelated illness.
What to Do the Moment You Suspect a Leak
Do Not Create Any Spark or Flame
Don't flip light switches (on or off), don't use your phone inside the house, don't light a match or candle, and don't start or stop any electrical appliance. Any spark, even a small one, can ignite accumulated gas.
Do Not Try to Locate the Leak Yourself
Resist the urge to investigate further inside the house — leave immediately instead. Time spent searching for the source is time spent in a potentially dangerous environment.
Get Everyone Outside and Away From the House
Move a safe distance from the structure, ideally to a neighbor's property or the street, not just the front porch or driveway.
Call From Outside, Not From Inside
Wait until you're safely away from the house before making any calls — this includes not using your phone while still inside, since even a phone can theoretically provide a spark, though modern devices are designed to minimize this risk.
Who to Call and In What Order
First: Your Gas Utility's Emergency Line
The gas utility can often remotely shut off service to your home or the immediate area faster than any other response, and their emergency dispatch is specifically trained and equipped for exactly this scenario. This call takes priority over everything else, including calling a plumber.
Second: 911, If You Smell Gas Strongly or See Other Hazards
For a strong, unmistakable gas odor or any other immediate danger sign, calling 911 alongside the utility is a reasonable additional precaution — local fire departments are trained to respond to gas emergencies.
Then: A Licensed Plumber for the Repair
Once the utility has confirmed it's safe to re-enter and has (if needed) shut off service, a licensed plumber can locate and repair the specific fitting, connection, or line section that failed, and coordinate with the utility on restoring service safely afterward.
What Happens After the Utility Responds
Utility technicians typically use specialized equipment to pinpoint the exact leak location, which might be inside your home, at the meter, or in the underground line connecting to the street main. If the leak requires plumbing repair (as opposed to a utility-side line issue, which the utility handles directly), they'll advise you to call a licensed plumber, and service typically remains off until the repair is complete and verified safe.
Preventing Gas Leaks Before They Happen
Aging flexible gas connectors on appliances — water heaters, ranges, fireplaces — are a common source of small leaks as they degrade over years, particularly with movement from nearby renovation work or appliance servicing. Having gas connections checked periodically, especially on appliances more than a decade old, catches deteriorating connectors before they become an active leak. Before any digging project on your property — a new fence, a garden bed, a deck footing — calling Virginia 811 to have underground utility lines marked is a free service and, in most cases, legally required, specifically to prevent accidental strikes on buried gas lines.
Need a Plumber in Arlington?
Licensed, upfront, and available 24/7. Call (571) 202-6461 or request a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call first, the gas company or a plumber?
The utility's emergency line first — they can shut off service remotely faster than anyone else, and their technicians are specifically trained for gas leak response.
Can I smell a leak from an underground gas line the same way as an indoor leak?
Sometimes, especially near where the line surfaces at the meter — but underground leaks are often first noticed as dead grass or bubbling in wet soil rather than an obvious smell.
Is it safe to use my phone once I'm safely outside?
Yes — the caution against phone use applies specifically to remaining inside a home where gas may be present, not to calling for help once you're safely away from the structure.
How long does it typically take for a gas utility to respond to an emergency call?
Response is typically prioritized and fast, though exact timing varies — this is part of why calling immediately, rather than waiting to see if the smell goes away, matters.
What if the smell turns out to be something else, like a dead animal or sewer gas?
It's always worth erring on the side of caution and having it checked — utility technicians can quickly confirm whether it's a gas leak or something else entirely.
Do I need to call 811 even for a small digging project?
Yes, in most cases — it's free, fast, and specifically designed to prevent exactly the kind of accidental utility strike that causes serious gas leak emergencies.