What Should I Do If I Have A Gas Leak?

What to Do During a Gas Leak?

There are many steps and parts involved in gas leaks and how to approach them safely, read below:

Signs and Symptoms of a Gas Leak

If gas is leaking in the home then here are the signs and symptoms to look out for:

• A foul smell of rotten eggs or sulfur
• A whistling or hissing sound that is close to gas appliances and lines
• White or dust cloud near gas lines or appliances
• Bubbles forming in water
• A visibly damaged gas line or appliance
• The house plants have died
• People are experiencing breathing problems, dizziness, fatigue, lightheaded, headaches, irritated eyes or throats or feeling nausea

What to During

1. Attempt to find the location of the gas smell and leak, such as gas appliances, lines and burners
2. After finding the location or if the location of the leak cannot be found then the next step is to turn off the gas supply to the home
3. Open all doors and windows in the home to ventilate it and check that the stove, pilot light and naked flames are all off
4. When it is safe turn off the electricity to the home, move out of the home and at a safe distance contact a licensed gas fitter or plumber

What to do After

1. Wait until the repair is fully complete and that the licensed professional has said it is safe to use gas and electrical appliances
2. Keep the home ventilated until the smell of gas has completely gone away
3. Monitor people’s health to see if they need medical attention from the gas leak and also monitor if another gas problem has occurred

What to Avoid Doing

It is important that if gas has or is suspected to of have leaked that the following are avoided:

• Do not use the phone or electrical appliances as the chance of sparks igniting a gas flame is there
• Do not attempt to test if a gas leak is present using a naked flame as this can lead to major issues
• Make sure no one smokes if a gas leak is present or suspected. 

Whose Responsibility is it to Fix a Gas Leak?

Either the property or building owner or the gas distributor will be responsible for organising a licensed plumber or gas fitter to resolve gas leaks.

Property Owner

From the gas meter on the property to any gas appliances, lines or ducts on a property is when the property owner is responsible for repairs, installations and maintenance work on gas systems. If the leak is occurring in the home or on the lines up to the gas meter then they will need to organise a certified professional to resolve the leak. 

Gas Distributor

The gas distributor will be responsible for gas work, including resolving gas leaks, on the street mains and pipelines connecting the mains to the property. If the leak is occurring on the gas meter or on their gas distribution network then they will repair and pay for the leak. 

How to Prevent Gas From Leaking in the Home?

Below is a guide on how to ensure that a gas leak is prevented or that if a leak occurs it is handled efficiently:

• Know how to find and determine of gas is leaking in the home and what safe steps to follow
• Hire a maintenance plumber to regularly inspect the whole plumbing system of the home, including the gas systems and also look for signs of a current or future gas leak
• Make sure that the areas with gas appliances are well ventilated
• Install carbon monoxide detectors as these act like smoke alarms and will beep when they detect gas leaks
• Make sure a fire extinguisher is in the hoe in case there is a gas leak that might turn into a fire
• Store all flammable materials and chemicals, such as paint or cleaning supplies, away from the gas lines and appliances