Getting out safely
Leave immediately
Get people and pets out. Do not stop to search for the source.
Avoid sparks
Leave lights and appliances as they are. Even a doorbell or garage opener can spark.
Call from a distance
Use your phone only once you are well away from the building.
Wait to be cleared
Do not go back in until the utility or fire department says the home is safe.
Where a plumber fits in
Natural gas has an added odorant that smells like rotten eggs or sulfur so leaks can be noticed. SoCalGas provides gas service in Fullerton, and its crews or the fire department handle the immediate danger. They may shut off gas at the meter and tag an appliance or line that is unsafe.
After that, repairs to gas piping inside the property, or to the connection at a water heater, furnace, dryer or range, are work for a licensed contractor. Once the home is cleared, a licensed plumber can find the leaking joint or failed flex connector, repair it, and pressure-test the line. Ask whether the work needs a permit; gas piping changes often do, so check with the city.
Common sources of a gas smell
| Location | Typical cause | Who handles it first |
|---|---|---|
| Behind the stove or dryer | Loose or damaged flexible connector | Leave; utility or 911, then a licensed plumber |
| At the water heater | Leaking connector, valve or pilot problem | Leave; utility or 911, then a licensed plumber |
| Near the gas meter outside | Meter or service line issue | Move away; call SoCalGas |
| Faint smell when a burner lights | Brief release before ignition | If it lingers or grows, treat it as a leak |
Terms you may hear
- Flex connector
- The flexible gas line between the house piping and an appliance. Old or kinked connectors are a common leak point.
- Pressure test
- A check that the gas piping holds pressure with no drop, done after repairs before gas is restored.
- Red tag
- A notice that an appliance or line is unsafe to use until it is repaired and cleared.
- Sediment trap
- A short capped pipe below a gas appliance's inlet that catches debris before it reaches the valve.
Questions for the plumber after the home is cleared
- Where exactly was the leak, and what failed?
- Does this repair need a permit or inspection?
- Will you pressure-test the line before gas is restored?
- Are any other connectors in the house old enough to replace now?
- Who relights pilots and restores service at the meter?
Common questions
Should I turn off the gas at the meter myself?
Only if you know how and can do it safely from outside. Otherwise leave it to SoCalGas or the fire department. Once the meter is off, the utility generally restores service.
Can a plumber come instead of the gas company?
For a strong smell or suspected leak, call 911 or SoCalGas first. A plumber repairs the piping after the immediate danger is handled.
I smell gas only faintly. Is that still urgent?
Treat any gas smell as real. Leave and call from outside; it is better to have it checked and find nothing.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.