If you can smell gas right now, don’t wait to finish reading this. Turn off your gas supply at the meter if it’s safe to do so, don’t use any light switches or naked flames, open your doors and windows, leave the property, and call the National Gas Emergency Service free on 0800 111 999. Once you’re safe, call AN Heating on 01225 708562 so a Gas Safe registered engineer can check your appliances and make any repairs.
What Does a Gas Leak Smell or Sound Like?
Natural gas has a distinctive smell, often described as similar to rotten eggs, that’s added deliberately so leaks can be noticed. You might also hear a hissing or whistling sound near a pipe or appliance, even without a strong smell.
What Should You Do Straight Away If You Suspect a Gas Leak?
These steps are about getting everyone safe, not fixing the problem yourself:
- Turn off the gas supply at the meter, but only if you can reach it safely without delay
- Don’t switch any lights, appliances or electrics on or off
- Don’t smoke, use a lighter or strike a match
- Open windows and doors as you leave to help the gas disperse
- Get everyone out of the property and call 0800 111 999 from outside
Other Warning Signs Worth Knowing
Not every gas leak is obvious straight away. Other things to watch for include:
- A boiler pilot light that burns yellow or orange instead of a steady blue
- Soot or scorch marks around a boiler or gas appliance
- Increased condensation on windows near a gas appliance
- Dead or discoloured patches of grass or plants near an outdoor gas pipe
- Feeling unusually drowsy, dizzy or nauseous when you’re at home, which can also point to carbon monoxide
Why You Should Never Try to Fix a Suspected Gas Leak Yourself
Gas connections, flues and appliance internals should only ever be handled by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Trying to investigate or fix a suspected leak yourself is genuinely dangerous, and it’s not something any homeowner should attempt, regardless of experience with other DIY jobs around the house.
What Happens After You Report a Gas Leak?
The National Gas Emergency Service will send someone out to make the immediate situation safe, which may include isolating your supply. After that, you’ll need a Gas Safe registered engineer to find the cause, carry out any repairs and confirm your appliances are safe to use again. That’s where we come in, our Gas Safe registered engineers can inspect your system and put things right.
Common Questions About Gas Leaks
Is it free to call the National Gas Emergency Service?
Yes, 0800 111 999 is free to call, 24 hours a day, and you should always call it first if you suspect a leak, before contacting an engineer for a follow-up repair.
Can a small gas leak be left until my next boiler service?
No. Any suspected gas leak, however small it seems, needs immediate attention. Waiting isn’t safe.
Do you offer emergency call-outs for gas safety issues?
Yes, once the National Gas Emergency Service has made the situation safe, our Gas Safe registered engineers can attend to diagnose and repair the fault.
If you’ve had a gas leak made safe and need a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect or repair your system, get in touch with AN Heating. Find out more about our boiler repair and servicing or our gas boiler installations if it turns out replacement is the safer long term option. We provide emergency boiler repairs across Trowbridge, Melksham, Westbury, Frome, Warminster and Chippenham.