Suspect a Gas Leak? What to Check and Do Safely

Start with safety, not finding the leak

If you suspect a gas leak, your first task is not to locate its exact source. It is to reduce the immediate risk and get clear of the affected area. A strong gas smell, a persistent hissing sound near gas pipework or an appliance, or a smell that becomes more noticeable indoors should be treated seriously. You do not need to prove that there is a leak before taking precautions.

Do not light a match, smoke, or operate electrical switches or appliances. That includes switching lights on or off. Avoid using a phone inside the property. If you can open doors and windows on your way out without delaying your exit or going closer to the suspected leak, do so. Leave the building and keep others away from the affected area.

What you can safely notice

From a safe position, think about where and when you first noticed the concern. Is the smell strongest near a particular appliance, cupboard or section of pipework? Does it seem to be indoors, outdoors or in more than one area? Has anyone noticed a hissing sound? These details can help explain the concern when you contact a qualified engineer, but they are clues, not a diagnosis.

A gas smell can travel, and air movement or the layout of a property can make it seem to come from somewhere other than the source. A sound may also be hard to pinpoint. So do not follow a smell through the building, move appliances to inspect behind them, or take panels off a boiler or cooker. You could put yourself closer to a leak or disturb a connection without being able to assess what is happening.

What not to test yourself

Do not try to confirm a leak with a flame, a DIY detector, or by applying liquid to joints. Nor should you tighten fittings, disconnect an appliance or attempt a repair. A test that appears to show nothing cannot establish that the installation is safe, and working on gas pipework or appliances requires the right competence.

Avoid repeatedly turning an appliance on and off to see whether the smell returns. If the concern seems to be around a boiler, cooker or other gas appliance, leave it alone and explain what you noticed. Do not assume the appliance is the source simply because it is nearby. The problem could be elsewhere in the installation, and a smell can spread beyond its origin.

Turning off the gas supply: only if safe

If you know where the gas meter’s emergency control valve (the gas shut-off valve) is and can reach it without passing through or entering the affected area, you may be able to turn off the supply. Do not search for the meter if that means going towards a strong smell, entering a confined space or delaying your exit. If you are unsure how to operate the valve, leave it alone and get outside.

Properties using LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) may have a different supply arrangement from a property connected to the mains, so do not assume that the controls are in the same place or work in the same way. Do not approach a cylinder or tank if you suspect a leak there. Put distance between yourself and the suspected source, then seek appropriate help from a safe location.

Once you are outside

Contact the relevant emergency gas service from outside the property and follow its instructions. If there is immediate danger, get further help from the emergency services. Do not go back inside to retrieve belongings, investigate the source or switch off equipment. Wait for advice on when it is safe to return.

Once the immediate risk has been addressed, a Gas Safe registered engineer can investigate and carry out any required gas leak detection and repair. The exact checks depend on where the concern is and the type of installation. Avoid using the appliance or area in question until a qualified person has assessed it and told you what to do next.

For a fuller overview of our Gas Leak Detection & Repair service, see the service page. We provide gas services across Kilmarnock and surrounding Ayrshire areas. Here at A&W Plumbing & Heating, we can discuss the concern and the appropriate next step with you. If you suspect a leak now, prioritise getting outside and contacting the relevant emergency service rather than waiting for a routine appointment.