7 Common Gas Leak Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For
Natural gas is an essential fuel that powers appliances in many homes throughout the Adelaide Hills region, but it's important to be mindful of gas safety while you use it.
For example, when a gas leak occurs, the gas leak signs and symptoms don’t always make themselves apparent from the get-go. But when you do eventually discover them, it’s important that you don’t ignore them.
Any gas equipment that you use daily – stoves, hot water systems and gas heaters – can leak in your home. And even a small leak can be dangerous.
Gas leaks can present themselves in a variety of ways. By knowing the early warning signs and acting quickly, you can protect your home, your health and your loved ones. Here are seven of the more common signs of a gas leak to be mindful of.
1. The Rotten Egg Smell
Aaah… the old rotten egg smell. One of the more prevalent gas leak signs and symptoms you’ll come across.
In its original state, natural gas is odourless. But before it reaches your gas supply and powers your household appliances, your gas distributor adds a harmless chemical called mercaptan. This gives your gas a distinct, unpleasant smell that makes it easier to detect leaks early.
Should you happen to smell gas near your gas appliances, gas meter or anywhere indoors or outdoors, act fast. Stay away from electrical equipment, mobile phones or light switches (don’t even switch them off!) as a spark could ignite the gas. Evacuate the house ASAP and call the gas distributor’s emergency line 1800 GAS LEAK (1800 427 532) to report the leak.
Of course, if anyone is in immediate danger or experiencing medical problems, call emergency services on 000 first.
Never ignore that smell – it could save your life.
2. Dying Plants or Vegetation
Physical signs of a gas leak don’t just affect household members. House plants and garden vegetation can act as early warning systems for gas leaks, too.
Natural gas leaks, especially from underground pipes or near your gas meter, can displace oxygen in the soil. In doing so, it suffocates plant roots.
If you notice dying vegetation, yellowing leaves or brown patches in your garden for no reason, a leaking gas line could be to blame. The same applies to indoor houseplants suddenly wilting near gas appliances or heaters.
These signs are easy to overlook but shouldn’t be ignored. If you suspect a gas leak, get out of the area and call your gas supplier or a licensed gas fitter.
3. Hissing or Whistling Sounds Near Gas Lines
Gas leaks trigger many of our senses. We all know you can smell gas, but you can also hear it in some situations.
Consider yourself having a leak problem if you hear hissing or a whistling sound near gas lines or gas-burning appliances. This noise often means you have gas escaping through a crack, a loose fitting, or a damaged connection. Unlike some tell-tale signs that rely purely on smell, a whistling sound can occur even if no smell is present – especially with small leaks in outdoor areas.
If you hear this near your gas fixtures and appliances, do not try to inspect it with electrical appliances or tools. Leave the house straight away and call your gas utility company for urgent gas safety assistance.
4. Unusual Pilot Light or Flame Colours
A healthy gas flame should be blue. It’s a highly effective indicator of complete combustion and safe operation. If you’re cooking away on your gas stove at night and it produces yellow, orange or flickering flames (or any other gas-burning appliance in your home), it could indicate poor combustion or insufficient/below-standard ventilation.
These changes in flame colour can also mean the appliance is releasing carbon monoxide – an odourless but deadly gas.
Faulty pilot lights that won’t stay lit are another red flag. If your appliances aren’t burning cleanly and consistently producing a blue flame, stop using them and call a licensed gas fitter. Ignoring these signs could be a serious health and safety risk.
5. Physical Symptoms from Exposure
Long-term exposure to a gas leak, or harmful by-products carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide, can cause a range of physical symptoms. Unfortunately, many people dismiss these symptoms as a cold or various other common illnesses.
If several members of the household start feeling unwell – especially around gas appliances – don’t ignore it. Common physical symptoms to look out for are:
- Headaches
- Dizziness or light headedness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue or sudden tiredness
- Chest pain or tightness
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
Do these gas leak symptoms tend to ease once you step outside for fresh air? You’ve likely had exposure to carbon monoxide.
6. Unexplained Gas Bills
If your gas bills have inexplicably increased without any major change to how (and how often) you use your appliances, you may have a hidden gas leak.
Most gas leaks start small and aren’t easy to detect. Leave them undetected for long enough, though, and those leaks become quiet over time.
Leaking gas from damaged pipes, faulty fittings, or older gas-burning appliances (including your gas hot water system) can increase your usage without you even noticing. Your energy provider may not pick up the issue straight away, especially if your usage is still within the average range.
If your gas costs seem more excessive than you were realistically expecting, book an inspection with a licensed gas fitter to prevent further waste or danger.
7. Bubbles in Standing Water or Dust Blowing
The last of our gas leak signs and symptoms isn’t always easy to see – that is, unless you know where to look.
If you see bubbles forming in standing water like puddles over buried gas lines or near your gas meter, it could mean gas is escaping below ground. Similarly, watch for unusual movement like:
- Dust blowing
- Dirt shifting
- Debris being disturbed near gas pipes or connections
These can all be warning signs of a leak in your home’s gas supply. Never ignore these visual clues. Call your gas supplier or a licensed gas fitter straight away and get out of the area immediately.
Who You Gonna Call?
If you suspect a gas leak in your home, it’s important that you don’t try and fix the problem yourself. Once you’ve evacuated the property and gotten to a safe distance away from your home, the first all-important step is to get on the phone.
You’ll hear conflicting reports of who you should call first – it might be “call a licensed gas fitter” from one, “call the local fire department” from another, or “report the leak to your gas company” from another person in the know. But here is what you need to do, who you need to call:
- If there is any immediate danger, there is fire, or someone displays physical symptoms of gas leak exposure, call 000 above anyone else.
- No fire, but you do smell gas from outside? Report the leak, whether it’s inside or outside the house. In South Australia, you call 1800 GAS LEAK or 1800 427 532.
- Once emergency services have made your property safe, or the issue is after the meter, call a licensed gas fitter.
Here in South Australia, it’s illegal to do any gas work unless you’re properly licensed and trained.
Gas fitters (or licensed plumbers with a gas fitting endorsement) are trained to handle leaks, test gas lines, repair or replace faulty gas appliances and ensure your system meets all current safety regulations. They’ll check for issues you may not notice, from ageing gas pipes to faulty pilot lights.
How to Prevent Gas Leaks
The last thing you want after a gas leak incident is to deal with another in the future. So, take these steps to prevent gas leaks from occurring again.
- Have a licensed gas fitter service your gas appliances and fixtures at least once every two years.
- Install and test carbon monoxide alarms near bedrooms and living areas; replace batteries on schedule.
- Keep ventilation clear: don’t block vents; ensure flues and chimneys are intact and unblocked.
- Inspect connections and hoses: look for perished rubber, corrosion or kinks; replace anything damaged or out of date.
- Use only certified appliances and fittings and never attempt DIY gas work.
Finally, know your gas safety basics. Label the main gas shut-off, store LPG cylinders upright outdoors, and keep your distributor’s emergency number handy.
Stay Alert to Stay Safe
Knowing the common gas leak signs and symptoms could save your home and your life.
From the unpleasant odour of rotten eggs to flickering pilot lights, strong physical symptoms or unexpected spikes in your gas bills, every warning sign matters. Natural gas leaks are serious, and even small leaks can lead to fire, explosion or serious illness.
Keep your household safe by regularly checking gas appliances, installing carbon monoxide detectors and acting quickly if you suspect a gas leak. Always use a licensed gas fitter to inspect and repair gas lines and equipment – your safety is too important to risk.
Please note: Thank you for reading our blog “7 Common Gas Leak Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out For”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.