What to Do If You Smell Gas

Smelling gas in your home is frightening, and for good reason. Natural gas is highly flammable, and when it escapes into the air it can cause serious risks to life and property. But knowing what to do in those first few minutes can make all the difference. At CJB Plumbing in Grantham, we want local homeowners to feel prepared, calm, and confident should the worst happen.

The first thing to understand is that a gas leak doesn’t fix itself. The smell you notice comes from an artificial additive called mercaptan, which is put into otherwise odourless gas precisely so people can detect danger quickly. If you smell it, you must act. The very first step is to leave the property, making sure everyone inside, including pets, comes with you. Do not try to be a hero, and do not assume it will pass on its own.

Once outside, and only if it is safe, you can help disperse any remaining gas by opening doors or windows. What you must not do is switch anything electrical on or off, light a match, or even use your mobile phone inside the building. A single spark can ignite the gas. If the leak is near your meter and accessible without going into a cellar or enclosed space, you may turn the emergency control valve a quarter turn to shut off the supply. But if there is any doubt about your safety, do not risk it—leave it to the professionals.

From outside the property, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. This number is free, available 24/7, and connects you to the right people immediately. They will take details of your location, the nature of the smell, and dispatch engineers as quickly as possible. Legally, under the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations, the gas network operator must attend and make the situation safe within 12 hours, though in practice serious leaks are treated as top priority.

While you are waiting, think about neighbours—especially if you live in a terrace, flat, or semi-detached property. Let them know what is happening so they can be alert to any risk. If you have vulnerable relatives or children, make sure they are kept well away from the property until professionals confirm it is safe to return.

It’s also important to understand what happens next. Only a Gas Safe registered engineer is legally permitted to repair or service your appliances and pipework. In rented properties, landlords are under a legal duty to arrange annual gas safety checks and provide tenants with the certificate within 28 days. For homeowners, servicing your boiler and gas appliances once a year is the best way to prevent leaks, extend appliance life, and keep your family safe.

Here in Grantham we see gas leaks most often in winter, when boilers and heating systems are under heavy strain. Old pipe joints, poorly fitted appliances, and frozen condensate pipes can all be culprits. The good news is that with regular servicing and quick action when something smells wrong, the risks can be minimised.

A final note: don’t confuse a gas leak with carbon monoxide, which has no smell at all. Carbon monoxide poisoning is silent and deadly, and every home with gas appliances should have a working carbon monoxide alarm fitted in the right place. Smelling gas means you have a chance to act, but CO offers no such warning.

If you ever smell gas in your home, remember: leave immediately, call 0800 111 999 from outside, and wait for the experts. And if you want the reassurance of regular servicing, safety checks, and Gas Safe registered expertise, CJB Plumbing in Grantham is here to help. Protecting homes, keeping families safe, and responding quickly in emergencies is what we do best.

More information cn be found here,

https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/gas-emergency/what-to-do-in-a-gas-emergency/