Why the smell matters

Natural gas has no odor on its own. Before it reaches homes, an odorant is added so that even a small leak smells like rotten eggs or sulfur. That smell is a deliberate warning, and it is meant to be taken seriously even when it is faint or comes and goes.

Gas that collects in a closed room, garage or crawl space can ignite from a single spark. The spark can come from something as ordinary as a light switch, a doorbell, a garage door motor or a phone. That is why every step below is about getting distance first and doing everything else afterward.

What to do, in this order

  1. Get people and pets out.Leave the house, garage or patio area right away. Do not search for the source, open cabinets, or try to find which appliance is leaking.
  2. Avoid anything that can spark.Leave lights, fans and appliances as they are. Do not use the garage door opener, start a car parked in the garage, light a match or lighter, or ring a doorbell on the way out.
  3. Call from a safe distance.Once you are away from the building, call 911 or SoCalGas. Tell them you smell gas and give the address. They respond to suspected leaks and can shut off service.
  4. Keep others away.Wave neighbors and visitors back from the house until responders arrive. Do not go back inside for belongings.
  5. Let the utility restore gas.If gas is shut off at the meter, leave it off. SoCalGas turns service back on and relights pilots once the cause is identified.
  6. Then call a licensed plumber.If the leak is on the house side of the meter, the repair is the owner's responsibility. Hire a CSLB-licensed plumber to find and fix it and to pressure test the piping.

Do not do these while gas is in the air

  • Flip any switch on or off, including lights and the thermostat
  • Use a phone, tablet or flashlight inside the building
  • Open the electrical panel or unplug appliances
  • Light a stove burner, candle, cigarette or fireplace
  • Try to tighten fittings or tape over a hissing pipe
  • Turn the gas back on at the meter after it was shut off

Which call fits the situation

  • IfYou smell gas indoors or hear hissing near a pipe or the meterThenLeave and call 911 or SoCalGas from outside.
  • IfA carbon monoxide alarm is soundingThenGet everyone outside and call 911. CO has no smell, so do not wait for an odor.
  • IfThe utility has made the area safe and found a house-side leakThenSchedule a licensed plumber for the repair and pressure test.
  • IfThere is no smell, but an appliance connector or valve looks oldThenNo emergency. Book a plumber to inspect and replace it.

After the emergency: the repair

Once responders leave, the problem may already be narrowed down to one appliance, one fitting or one stretch of pipe. Write down anything they told you and keep any tag they left on the meter or appliance. A plumber will ask for that information.

A proper repair ends with the piping sealed and held under test pressure, and a city inspection where the work calls for a permit. Ask the plumber to explain what failed and whether nearby fittings or connectors of the same age should be replaced while the system is open.

Questions to ask the plumber afterward

  1. What exactly was leaking, and what caused it?
  2. Will the repaired section be pressure tested before gas is restored?
  3. Does this repair need a permit and inspection in Villa Park?
  4. Are other connectors or valves in the house the same age or type?
  5. What is your CSLB license number so I can check it at cslb.ca.gov?

Common questions

What if the smell is very faint?

Treat it the same way. Faint odors can still mean a leak, and the smell can fade as you get used to it. Leave and call from outside.

Should I open windows before I leave?

Only if one is right next to you on the way out. Do not walk through the house opening windows; getting out quickly matters more.

Does a plumber come out for a gas smell?

The first call is 911 or SoCalGas. A plumber handles the repair after the utility has made the area safe and confirmed the leak is on your side of the meter.

General information for Villa Park, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.