STOP. If You Smell Gas Right Now
Don't read this whole article. Follow these steps immediately:
- 1
Get Everyone Out of the House
Leave immediately. Don't collect belongings. Just go.
- 2
DON'T Touch Any Electrical Switches or Create Sparks
Don't turn lights on or off. Don't unplug anything. Don't start your car if it's in an attached garage. Any spark can ignite natural gas.
- 3
Call 911 and Your Gas Company from Outside
In Birmingham, call Alabama Gas Corporation emergency line: 1-800-292-4008. Then call 911.
- 4
Stay Out Until Professionals Clear the Area
Don't go back inside until the gas company says it's safe.
Natural gas leaks are one of the few true plumbing emergencies where your response time can literally be a matter of life and death. I've responded to gas leak calls where homeowners were still in the house, calmly calling plumbers while gas was accumulating. That's terrifying—they don't realize they're sitting in a potential bomb.
Here's everything you need to know about gas leaks, how to recognize them, and—most importantly—what to do to keep yourself and your family safe.
How to Recognize a Gas Leak
The Smell
Natural gas is naturally odorless, but gas companies add a chemical called mercaptan that smells like rotten eggs or sulfur. It's a distinctive, unpleasant smell that's hard to miss once you've smelled it.
If you smell this near your water heater, furnace, stove, or anywhere in your house, treat it as a gas leak until proven otherwise.
The Sound
A hissing or whistling sound near a gas line, water heater, or gas appliance can indicate gas escaping under pressure. This is especially common when a connection has loosened or a line has been damaged.
Physical Symptoms
If multiple people in your house are experiencing these symptoms, and they improve when you go outside, you might have a gas leak:
- • Headaches and dizziness
- • Nausea
- • Fatigue or drowsiness
- • Difficulty breathing
- • Eye and throat irritation
Dead Plants Indoors
Natural gas reduces oxygen levels. If your houseplants are dying for no apparent reason, especially near gas appliances, that can be a sign of a slow gas leak.
Common Causes of Gas Leaks in Birmingham Homes
Water Heater Connections
The gas supply line to your water heater has threaded connections that can loosen over time, especially if the water heater vibrates or settles. The flexible connector can also crack or corrode.
Damaged Gas Lines
Construction work, digging in the yard, or even just age and corrosion can damage gas supply lines. Black iron pipe corrodes from the outside, and older lines can develop pinhole leaks.
Appliance Pilot Light Issues
If a pilot light goes out (on a water heater, furnace, or fireplace) but gas continues flowing, you get a dangerous buildup of unburned gas. Modern appliances have safety shutoffs, but older units might not.
What NOT to Do During a Gas Leak
Don't try to find the source of the leak
Your job isn't to investigate—it's to get out safely and call professionals who have the equipment to locate and fix leaks.
Don't light candles or use your phone inside
Any spark—from a lighter, phone, light switch, or even static electricity—can ignite gas. Wait until you're well away from the house to use your phone.
Don't try to ventilate by opening windows
Just get out. Opening windows means you're staying inside longer, and flipping light switches to see what you're doing could cause a spark.
After the Gas Company Clears Your Home
Once the gas company has fixed the immediate leak and declared your home safe, you still need a licensed plumber to:
Inspect all gas connections
Even if one leak was found and fixed, you want a thorough inspection of all your gas lines and connections to make sure there aren't other weak points.
Relight pilot lights safely
After gas service is restored, pilot lights on your water heater and other appliances need to be relit properly and checked for proper operation.
Replace any damaged or old flexible connectors
Flexible gas connectors have a lifespan. If yours are old or were involved in the leak, they should be replaced.
24/7 Emergency Gas Line Service
Licensed and insured for gas line work throughout Birmingham. After the gas company clears your home, call us for a thorough inspection and any necessary repairs.
Call (659) 233-6566 Now