How to detect a gas leak
The smell is the obvious sign, but it is not the only one. What to look for, and exactly what to do.
Natural gas has no smell of its own. The distinctive rotten-egg odour is an additive, put there specifically so leaks are noticeable.
Signs of a gas leak
- That sulphur or rotten-egg smell
- A hissing or whistling near a pipe or appliance
- Orange or yellow flames on a gas hob instead of crisp blue
- Black or sooty marks around an appliance
- Excessive condensation on windows
- Feeling unusually tired, dizzy or sick indoors, better when you leave
That last one matters. It can indicate carbon monoxide, which has no smell at all — which is why a working CO alarm is not optional.
What to do right now
- Do not touch light switches or electrical appliances, and do not use a lighter or a match
- Open doors and windows
- Turn the gas off at the meter if you can reach it safely
- Get everyone out
- From outside, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 — free, 24 hours
Do not try to find the leak yourself and do not attempt a repair. Only a Gas Safe registered engineer may work on gas.
Preventing it
Annual servicing and, for landlords, the yearly gas safety check. Most leaks develop slowly at joints and connections, which is precisely what an annual inspection is looking for.
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