You walk into the kitchen and catch that unmistakable rotten-egg smell. Here’s what to do if you smell gas: turn off the gas at the meter if you can, open doors and windows, don’t use electrical switches or naked flames, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Once the emergency service has made things safe, call us on 07557 373 042 and a Gas Safe registered engineer can find and fix the fault. Our gas safety page explains how we help Surrey homes.
The immediate steps
Do these in order, and only if it’s safe:
- Don’t create a spark. Don’t switch lights or appliances on or off, don’t use doorbells, and don’t light matches or cigarettes.
- Turn off the gas at the meter. The emergency control valve has a lever next to the meter. Turn it so the handle is at a right angle to the pipe.
- Open doors and windows to let the gas disperse.
- Get everyone out if the smell is strong, including pets.
- Call 0800 111 999 from outside the property, or from a neighbour’s house.
Mobile phones are generally fine to use outside, away from the smell.
What happens when you call the emergency number
The National Gas Emergency Service is free and runs 24 hours a day. An engineer from the gas network will come out to make the situation safe. That usually means finding where the gas is escaping and isolating the supply or the faulty appliance.
They don’t normally repair appliances or internal pipework. If the problem is with your boiler, hob, fire or pipework inside the home, you’ll need a Gas Safe registered engineer to put it right before the gas is turned back on to that appliance.
Where gas smells usually come from
- A hob burner left on without lighting, or a burner that’s gone out
- A loose or damaged connection on a cooker or hob hose
- A fault with the boiler or its gas valve
- Leaking pipework under floors or behind units
- A gas fire with a worn or damaged connection
Check the hob first. If a knob has been knocked on, turning it off and ventilating may clear the smell. If the smell stays, follow the steps above.
If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds
A gas smell and carbon monoxide are different hazards. Carbon monoxide has no smell at all, so you can’t rely on your nose. If your CO alarm goes off, open windows, turn off fuel-burning appliances, get everyone outside and call 0800 111 999. Seek medical advice if anyone feels unwell.
After the emergency: getting appliances checked
Once the gas network engineer has left, any appliance they’ve disconnected must not be used until it’s been checked and repaired. A Gas Safe registered engineer can:
- Find the source of the leak
- Repair or replace the faulty part or pipework
- Test the installation for gas tightness
- Check the appliance is burning safely before it’s used again
If a cooker, hob or gas fire is the problem, our gas appliances page explains the work we carry out.
Gas safety in Surrey homes
Many homes around Woking, Guildford, Camberley and Farnham have gas pipework and appliances that have been moved or added to over the years, through kitchen refits and extensions. Joints in older pipework, and appliances that haven’t been checked for a long time, are worth looking at. An annual check of every gas appliance is the simplest way to catch problems early.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to stay in the house if I smell gas?
If the smell is faint and you’ve found an obvious cause, like a hob left on, turning it off and ventilating may be enough. If the smell is strong, or you can’t find the cause, leave the property, keep everyone out and call 0800 111 999 from outside.
Does the gas emergency service charge?
The National Gas Emergency Service doesn’t charge for attending and making the situation safe. Repairs to your own appliances or internal pipework are not covered, so you’ll need a Gas Safe registered engineer for those, and they’ll charge for the work.
Can I turn the gas back on myself?
Not if an engineer has capped or disconnected an appliance. Leave it isolated until a Gas Safe registered engineer has repaired and tested it. If you turned the meter off yourself and the cause was obvious and resolved, check with the emergency service before turning it back on.
Why does gas smell like rotten eggs?
Natural gas has no smell of its own. Gas suppliers add a strong-smelling chemical so leaks can be noticed quickly. That’s why any rotten-egg smell indoors should be taken seriously, even if it’s faint or comes and goes, and checked rather than ignored.
Need your gas appliances checked?
If you’ve had a gas scare or your appliances haven’t been checked for a while, give us a ring on 07557 373 042 or drop us a message and we’ll come out and make sure everything’s safe.
