Gas Leak

A strange smell you can’t ignore. A faint hissing sound that wasn’t there before. A gas flame that suddenly looks off. When things like this show up at home, it’s not something you can afford to ignore. In this guide, we’ll walk you through these warning signs so you can quickly assess if it’s a gas leak and what to do immediately to stay safe.  TL;DR The Most Common Signs of a Gas Leak in a House A Strange Smell Like Rotten Eggs If you smell strong odours of rotten eggs near your cooktop, hot water system, heater, or bayonet fitting, that’s the biggest and most immediate sign of a gas leak. Gas is odourless and invisible, so most leaks go undetected. That is why gas suppliers add a chemical called mercaptan, which has a very strong, unpleasant smell, so even a small leak becomes obvious straight away. Hissing or Whistling Noises Near Gas Lines Gas in your pipes is under pressure. When there’s a crack, a loose connection, or a worn seal, the gas gets forced out through that small opening. As it escapes, it creates a steady hissing or light whistling sound, similar to air leaking from a pricked balloon. You’ll usually hear this near gas appliances, along exposed pipes, or around the metre. It’s often more noticeable in quiet moments, like late at night. Bubbles in Standing Water Gas is invisible, but you can still spot a leak if it passes through water.  If you suspect a leak, apply soapy water to a pipe joint or the area you think might be affected; escaping gas will push through the liquid and form bubbles.  The same thing can happen outdoors. If there’s a leak in an underground gas line, you will see bubbles in the puddle, damp ground, or muddy patch above it. That bubbling happens because the gas is rising to the surface and forcing its way through the moisture. Dead or Discoloured Patches of Grass When a leak occurs underground, the gas escapes into the soil and replaces the oxygen that plant roots need to survive. Without oxygen, the roots can’t survive, and the grass above starts to weaken and die. So, if you notice a patch or strip of grass turning yellow or brown while the rest of your lawn looks healthy – especially if that patch follows a straight line where a gas pipe is likely running – it often points to an underground gas leak rather than a watering or soil issue.  A Yellow or Orange Burner Flame Gas needs oxygen from the air to burn properly and release carbon dioxide (CO₂).  A healthy flame should be blue and steady. That blue colour shows the gas is mixing well with enough oxygen and burning fully. This is called complete combustion, and it’s how your appliance is meant to work. If the flame turns yellow or orange, it means the gas isn’t getting enough oxygen while burning. This usually happens when the burner holes are partly blocked with dirt, grease, or soot, so less air mixes with the gas. Because of this, the gas burns incompletely, and instead of producing CO₂, it releases carbon monoxide (CO) (a dangerous, invisible gas) and soot that appears as black or oily marks around the burner or on cookware. Some of the gas may not burn at all and can escape into the surrounding air.  So, while the yellow flame itself is a sign of a faulty appliance and poor burning, the result is a slow buildup of raw gas or dangerous carbon monoxide in your room every time the stove is on.  Physical Symptoms  When gas leaks into a room, it starts to replace the oxygen in the air. Your body needs oxygen to breathe, so even a small drop in its concentration in the air can affect you quickly. That’s why you might experience: But how can you tell it’s the air inside, not just a cold or fatigue? You can confirm this through a location test. Step outside into fresh air and see what happens.  Unusual Clouds, Mist, or Moving Dust If a pipe is damaged or ruptures, the gas can escape in a strong, fast stream. That sudden release pushes against the air and tiny particles around it, so you might notice dust, dirt, or dry leaves moving or swirling in one small area, even when there’s no wind.  You might also notice a slightly disturbed or unsettled patch of ground because the gas coming out from below is displacing the air and soil particles at the surface, which can make that spot look different from the rest of the ground.  In some situations, especially in cooler early mornings in places like Townsville, where humidity is higher, you might also see a faint white mist or fog close to the ground. This happens because when gas is released quickly, it expands and cools the surrounding air. That rapid cooling causes moisture already in the air to condense into tiny water droplets, which you see as a visible mist. A Sudden Spike in Your Gas Bill If your daily habits haven’t changed (same cooking, same hot water use) but your bill suddenly jumps, it usually means gas is escaping through a leak, or there may be a billing error, which is rare. You can do a simple metre check at home to find if there is a gas leak. Turn off all your gas appliances, but leave the main gas supply on. Then go and look at your gas metre, which is found in a metal box at the front or along the side of your house. If the numbers are still moving or the dial is still spinning, it means gas is still flowing through the system, so there is a leak. Can You Have a Gas Leak Without Smelling It? Yes, you might not smell a gas leak because of the following reasons: This is why relying on a scent only is