If you smell gas in your house, you must leave immediately and call your gas company from outside the home to report a potential leak. This is not a situation to investigate on your own or delay—natural gas is odorless in its pure form, and the smell you're detecting is an additive (mercaptan) that utility companies add specifically so people can identify dangerous leaks quickly.
The first critical step is evacuation. Do not turn on or off any electrical switches, do not light matches or use lighters, and do not use your phone inside the house. These actions can create sparks that may ignite the gas. Walk out calmly, close the door behind you, and move to a safe distance—ideally at least 300 feet away from the building. Once you're outside, use your mobile phone or a neighbor's phone to call your local gas utility company. They maintain emergency dispatch lines 24/7 and will send a technician to identify and isolate the leak.
After calling the gas company, contact a licensed plumbing service that specializes in gas line repair. Gas leaks can originate from several points in your system: corroded pipes, loose fittings at appliance connections, damaged regulators, or failed seals on water heater or furnace connections. The gas company will typically locate the leak and shut off the gas supply, but they won't repair the actual problem—that's where a qualified plumber comes in.
A professional gas line repair technician will use specialized detection equipment to pinpoint the exact location of the leak. This might involve pressurized nitrogen testing, electronic gas detectors, or soap solution methods to identify even small leaks that produce hissing sounds or bubbles. Once located, the repair depends on the source: it could be replacing a section of corroded pipe, tightening a fitting, replacing an appliance connector, or installing a new regulator.
The timeline for repair typically ranges from same-day service (for emergencies) to within 24-48 hours for non-emergency leaks. Costs vary based on the leak's location and severity—a simple fitting replacement might run $150–$300, while replacing a section of gas line could range from $400–$1,200 depending on accessibility and pipe length.
It's important to note that gas line work requires proper licensing and certification. Many jurisdictions, including those served by utility companies across the region, mandate that only licensed plumbers handle gas line repairs. Attempting DIY repairs is dangerous and typically violates local building codes.
Blackmon Plumbing holds an active Master Plumber License (MPL-38162) and has been serving the community for 19 years, with expertise in diagnosing and repairing gas line issues at residential properties, as well as authorizations to service equipment from brands like Generac and Noritz.