Smelling Gas Heres What To Do

Smelling Gas? Here’s What To Do

Smelling gas in your home can be scary and for good reason. A natural gas leak can create a serious fire or explosion hazard, and it can also cause health symptoms like headaches, nausea, or dizziness. The good news is that a calm, step-by-step response helps protect your household and property.

Below is what homeowners in Charlottesville, VA and surrounding areas should do if they smell gas, plus how to reduce the chances of a gas leak in the future. If you need help right away, Mack Morris Heating & Cooling is here to support you once the immediate safety steps are handled.

First: Recognize the Signs of a Gas Leak

Natural gas is odorless, but utility companies add a chemical odorant (often described as a “rotten egg” smell) to make leaks easier to detect. Sometimes the smell can be faint at first, especially near a basement, utility room, furnace, or water heater.

Common signs you may have a gas leak

• Rotten egg or sulfur smell indoors or near gas appliances
• Hissing or whistling sound near a gas line, meter, or appliance
• Dead or dying vegetation near an outdoor gas line area
• Bubbles in standing water outside (in some situations)
• Physical symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches, or irritation

If you suspect a leak, treat it as real. It is always better to be cautious and call for help than to wait and see.

What To Do Immediately If You Smell Gas

When it comes to gas leak safety, speed and simplicity matter. Follow these steps in order.

1) Leave the home right away

Get everyone out, including pets. If the smell is strong, do not spend time looking for the source. Evacuate first. Move to a safe location a good distance away from the home.

2) Do not create sparks or flames

Natural gas can ignite from a small spark. Avoid anything that could trigger ignition.

• Do not light matches or candles
• Do not smoke or use lighters
• Do not start your car in an attached garage
• Do not turn lights on or off
• Do not use a garage door opener
• Do not use phones, doorbells, or electronics inside the house

Even flipping a switch can create a spark. Leave first, then call from outside.

3) Call your gas utility or 911 from a safe location

Once you are safely outside, call your natural gas provider’s emergency number. If you are unsure who to call, or if the odor is strong and you fear immediate danger, call 911.

Explain what you smelled and where. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions and wait for emergency personnel or the gas utility to arrive.

4) If it is safe, shut off the gas at the meter (only if you know how)

Many homeowners ask whether they should turn off their gas. If you have been trained or shown how to shut off your home’s gas supply at the meter and it can be done without re-entering the home, you can do so.

If you are not sure, do not attempt it. Wait for the gas utility or emergency responders. Turning off gas incorrectly can be dangerous, and gas meters can be hard to access safely.

5) Do not re-enter until you are told it is safe

Even if the smell seems to fade, a gas leak can still be present. Only go back inside once the gas company or emergency responders confirm the home is safe.

What NOT To Do If You Smell Gas

A few common mistakes can increase risk. Avoid these actions:

• Do not try to locate the leak by sniffing around inside
• Do not run fans or HVAC equipment to “air it out”
• Do not open windows if doing so delays evacuation (get out first)
• Do not attempt DIY repairs on gas lines or appliances

After the Home Is Declared Safe: Next Steps

Once the utility company or emergency responders identify the issue, you will likely need repairs to your HVAC equipment, gas piping, or appliance connections. That is where a qualified professional can help.

Schedule a professional inspection and repair

If the source is related to a furnace, boiler, or other heating equipment, a licensed HVAC technician can inspect the system, correct unsafe conditions, and verify proper operation. At Mack Morris Heating & Cooling, we help homeowners throughout Charlottesville and the surrounding areas with safe, code-compliant heating repairs and seasonal maintenance.

Ask what caused the leak

Understanding the cause helps prevent repeat issues. Common causes include:

• Loose fittings or deteriorated connectors
• Corroded or damaged gas piping
• Improper appliance installation
• Damage from construction, landscaping, or pests
• Older equipment with worn components

Is It Always a Gas Leak? Other Odors That Can Seem Like Gas

Sometimes homeowners notice a smell and worry it is gas when it is something else. Even so, if you suspect a gas odor, treat it seriously and follow the safety steps first.

Possible look-alikes

• Sewer gas: Often smells like rotten eggs too, usually near drains or basements
• Dirty sock smell: Can come from mold or bacteria on HVAC coils or in ductwork
• Burning dust: Common at the start of heating season
• Electrical odor: Hot plastic or fishy smell may signal wiring issues

Because the “rotten egg” odor is shared by some other issues, it is important not to guess. If the odor could be gas, follow the gas safety checklist and let professionals confirm the source.

How To Reduce the Risk of Gas Leaks

While not all gas leaks are preventable, routine care and good habits can lower the risk and help you catch small problems before they become emergencies.

1) Get annual heating system maintenance

For homes with gas furnaces, boilers, or gas fireplaces, annual maintenance is one of the best safety investments you can make. A professional tune-up can identify loose connections, damaged components, and combustion-related problems early.

2) Keep your utility area accessible

Do not block access to your furnace, water heater, gas shutoff, or meter. Clear access helps technicians inspect connections properly and helps you exit quickly if there is an emergency.

3) Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors

Natural gas leaks and carbon monoxide are different hazards, but both are critical for home safety. CO is odorless and can be produced by malfunctioning combustion appliances. Install CO detectors on each level and near sleeping areas, and test them regularly.

4) Know where your shutoff valve is

Ask your gas utility or HVAC professional to show you where the shutoff is and how it works. Do not practice by turning it off, but do learn the location and what tool is needed so you are prepared in a real emergency.

5) Watch for appliance warning signs

• Pilot light issues or frequent burner shutdowns
• Soot marks or scorch discoloration around the furnace or water heater
• Unusual sounds near gas appliances
• Higher than normal gas bills without a usage change

If you notice any of these, schedule an inspection before it becomes urgent.

When To Call Mack Morris Heating & Cooling

If you smelled gas and the utility company has addressed the immediate hazard, the next step is ensuring your heating system is safe, reliable, and operating efficiently. Mack Morris Heating & Cooling can help with:

• Gas furnace diagnostics and repair
• Heating system safety inspections
• Annual maintenance to reduce risk and improve performance
• Replacement recommendations when equipment is unsafe or beyond repair

Serving Charlottesville, VA and surrounding communities, our team focuses on clear communication, professional workmanship, and homeowner safety.

Quick Gas Smell Safety Checklist

• Evacuate everyone immediately
• Avoid switches, flames, and electronics
• Call the gas utility or 911 from outside
• Do not re-enter until cleared as safe
• Schedule HVAC service after the hazard is addressed

Need Help With a Gas Furnace in Charlottesville?

If you have concerns about your gas furnace, suspect a problem after an incident, or want peace of mind with annual maintenance, contact Mack Morris Heating & Cooling. We will help you understand what is happening, what repairs are needed, and how to keep your home safe and comfortable.