What to Do If Your House Smells Like Gas

*Updated November 12th, 2025

If you suddenly notice the distinct odor of rotten eggs or sulfur in your home, it could be a sign of a potentially dangerous gas leak. Knowing what to do if you smell gas in your home is critical for protecting yourself, your family, and your property.

In this article, we’ll walk through the specific steps to follow if you believe there’s a natural gas leak in your home. We’ll also cover common causes of leaking gas, where the gas smell might be coming from, and practical gas safety tips to help you prevent future problems.

How to Tell if You Have a Gas Leak

The most distinctive sign of a gas leak is the smell of gas. While natural gas is odorless by itself, gas companies add a chemical called mercaptan to give it a strong, unpleasant odor similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. This distinctive odor makes leaks easier to detect before they become dangerous. If you ever smell gas in your home, it’s important to act quickly.

Other signs and symptoms of a potential gas leak include:

• A hissing sound near a gas line or appliance, such as a fireplace or gas stove

• Dead or dying vegetation around your home, especially near buried gas pipes

• Gas-powered appliances that are lit but not producing a steady flame

• The distinct odor of gas or a suspicion of a leak somewhere in your home

• Abnormally high, low, or absent flames in your stove or other appliances

• Continuous water leakage from a gas-powered water heater or home heating system

• Unusual noises like roaring, hissing, or whistling near gas lines

• White haze, vapor, or bubbles in standing water near a gas pipe

• Physical symptoms of carbon monoxide or natural gas exposure such as headache, nausea, dizziness, or fatigue

What You Should Do if You Have a Gas Leak

When it comes to a suspected gas leak, every second counts. A small spark or electrical charge can ignite leaking gas and cause a fire or an explosion. Here’s how to stay safe if you suspect a natural gas leak in your home:

Evacuate the Building

If you smell gas in your home, evacuate the premises immediately. Make sure everyone—including pets—leaves the area immediately and moves to a safe distance outside your home. Do not use light switches, phones, or any device that could cause a spark.

Do Not Search for the Leak

Never try to locate the leak yourself. Even if you think the smell could be coming from your stove or water heater, leave the building and let professionals handle it. Gas companies and first responders are trained to detect a gas leak safely.

Ventilate if You Can Do So Safely

If it’s safe and can be done quickly, open a few doors or windows on your way out to let gas escaping into the air dissipate faster.

Call for Help from a Safe Location

Once you’re outside and at a safe location, call 911 or your local utility company’s emergency number to report the suspected gas leak. Provide your address, explain that you suspect your home has a natural gas leak, and follow their instructions.

Shut Off the Gas Supply (If You Know How)

If you’re familiar with your gas service setup and can access the shut-off valve safely from outside the home, you can shut off the gas to stop the flow.

Wait for the Professionals

Do not go back inside until emergency responders or a gas company representative confirms that the area is safe. In any gas emergency, always treat the smell of gas seriously and act fast to protect your home and loved ones.

Causes of Gas Leaks

Gas leaks can happen for several reasons, both inside and outside your home. Understanding what leads to a natural gas leak can help prevent future problems.

Faulty or Aging Appliances

Old or poorly maintained appliances—like a gas stove, fireplace, or water heater—can develop leaks over time. Scheduling regular inspections helps prevent natural gas from escaping through worn-out fittings or seals.

Damaged Gas Lines

Corroded or punctured gas pipes can cause serious leaks. These problems can occur from digging outside your home, shifting soil, or natural wear. Always call your local utility company or 811 before digging to avoid hitting a buried gas line.

Poor Installation or Maintenance

Improper installation of gas appliances or lines can lead to small leaks that worsen over time. Always rely on qualified professionals to install and maintain your home’s gas systems.

Where the Smell Could Be Coming From

If it smells like gas, it could be coming from several places around your home. Here are some of the most common sources of a natural gas odor:

Kitchen Appliances

A gas stove left on without a flame or a pilot light that has gone out can easily leak gas into your kitchen. Always double-check that burners are off after cooking.

Heating Systems

A damaged or cracked furnace can leak gas or carbon monoxide into your home. Schedule seasonal inspections of your home heating equipment to detect problems early.

Water Heaters

A malfunctioning or leaking water heater can release natural gas near the base of the unit. Look for the smell of gas, pilot light issues, or hissing sounds around the appliance.

Outside Gas Lines

Sometimes, the leak occurs outside your home. You might notice dead grass, a rotten egg odor near the ground, or a hissing sound coming from the yard. If you suspect a gas leak outside, leave the area immediately and call your gas company or emergency number.

Preventing Gas Leaks

The best way to prevent a gas leak in your home is through proactive gas safety habits:

• Schedule annual inspections for your gas lines, pipes, and appliances.

• Have a licensed professional install or repair any gas-powered systems.

• Use a gas leak detector to help detect a gas leak before it becomes dangerous.

• Keep your gas service area clear and know how to shut off the gas supply in an emergency.

• Never ignore a strange gas odor, hissing sound, or symptoms of gas poisoning—evacuate immediately and call for help.

Conclusion

If you ever smell gas, take it seriously. Leave the building right away, avoid open flames or electronics, and call 911 or your gas company from a safe location. Do not return until professionals confirm that it’s safe to do so.

Regular maintenance and inspections by licensed professionals are the best ways to prevent foundation leaks, faulty gas lines, or smelling gas in your home unexpectedly. Staying alert and prepared can help prevent foundation damage, natural gas poisoning, and ensure your home stays safe year-round.

Natural Gas Safety FAQs

Can you stay in a house with a gas leak?
No. A gas leak in your home can be deadly. If you smell gas, leave immediately, evacuate to a safe location, and contact emergency services or your gas company.

Can a slow gas leak make you sick?
Yes. Even a small, leaking gas line can cause headaches, fatigue, or nausea from prolonged exposure. Severe leaks can lead to carbon monoxide buildup and gas poisoning.

How long can a gas leak go unnoticed?
If the leak occurs in a hidden pipe or appliance, it can go unnoticed for weeks. Regular inspections and a gas leak detector can help identify a natural gas leak early.

How long does it take for gas to air out of a house?
After a leak occurs, ventilation can take several hours. Open windows and doors, leave the area immediately, and follow your utility company’s guidance before reentering.

Always stay alert to the odor of gas, know the signs and symptoms of a leak, and remember—when in doubt, evacuate and call for help. Quick action can prevent a disaster and keep your home safe.

Check Out Additional HVAC Resources

• Things to Consider Before Replacing Your HVAC Unit
• 7 Signs to Call an HVAC Technicians
• HVAC Terms Homeowners Need to Know
• HVAC System Maintenance Checklist
• Guide to Furnace Flame Sensors

Sources

• NCBI
• CDC
• National Grid
• IQS