What to Do When You Smell Gas in Your House
July 11, 2026
Natural gas is odorless on its own... utility companies add a chemical called mercaptan specifically so leaks are noticeable, giving off that distinctive rotten-egg smell. If you smell it, treat it as a real gas leak until proven otherwise. This isn't a situation to investigate yourself.
Get Out First
If the smell is strong, or you hear a hissing sound near a gas line or appliance, leave the house immediately and get everyone else out with you. Don't stop to open windows, don't stop to grab anything, don't investigate the source. Leave first, figure out the rest from outside.
Do Not Do These Things
Do not turn any light switches on or off, in either direction... the spark from a switch, even turning one off, can ignite accumulated gas. Do not use your phone inside the house. Do not light a match, a lighter, or any flame to "check" anything. Do not start your car in an attached garage. Do not use the garage door opener if the garage is attached to the house. Basically: don't create any spark or flame anywhere near the source until the situation is resolved.
Once You're Outside and Safe
Call your gas utility's emergency line from a safe distance away from the house... most utilities have a 24/7 emergency number specifically for this, separate from their regular customer service line. If you don't have that number handy, calling 911 is the right move too; dispatchers know how to route gas emergencies. Don't go back inside until the gas company or fire department has confirmed it's safe.
If the Smell Is Faint and Localized
A faint gas smell isolated to one specific area... near a stove pilot light, for instance... can sometimes be a much smaller issue, like a pilot light that's gone out and is releasing a small amount of unburned gas. Even so, the safe move is the same: don't try to relight anything yourself if you're not confident it's not a bigger leak. Turn off the gas supply to that appliance if you know how and it's safe to reach, ventilate the area by opening windows if the smell is genuinely faint and localized, and call your gas company to send someone out. When in doubt, treat it like the bigger leak, not the smaller one.
After the Fact: What Usually Causes This
Common causes include a pilot light that's gone out on a water heater, furnace, or stove; a loose or failing connection on a gas appliance; deteriorated flexible gas lines (these have a lifespan and should be inspected periodically); or, less commonly, damage to the gas line itself from digging, settling, or age. Whatever the cause, get it professionally diagnosed and repaired... this isn't a DIY fix, even once you know the source.
Prevention: Install a Gas Detector
A natural gas detector works like a smoke detector but for gas leaks specifically, and gives you an early warning before the smell becomes strong enough to notice on its own, especially useful while you're asleep. They're inexpensive ($20-$50) and worth having near gas appliances, particularly in bedrooms located near a furnace, water heater, or kitchen.