Gas leak detection and repair
Smell gas? Call 0800 111 999 first. Then call us.
If you smell gas right now, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. It is free and open 24 hours a day. They will make your supply safe. Once they have, our Gas Safe registered engineers can trace the leak in your pipework or appliance, repair it and test the whole installation so you can turn the gas back on with confidence.
If you smell gas: what to do now
Do these things in this order. Do not call us first, and do not try to find the leak yourself.
- Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999
- Open doors and windows to let fresh air in
- Turn off the gas at the meter control handle, unless the meter is in a cellar
- Do not smoke, strike matches or use naked flames
- Do not use light switches, doorbells or other electrical switches
- If you feel unwell, get out into fresh air and seek medical help
What happens after the emergency service visits
The emergency engineer's job is to make the situation safe. Often that means capping off a leaking appliance or leaving the supply turned off, with a warning label on it.
Repairs to the pipework and appliances inside your home then need a Gas Safe registered engineer. That is where we come in. Our guide on what to do if you smell gas explains the whole process step by step.
How we find and fix the leak
We start with a gas tightness test at the meter. It tells us whether the installation is losing gas and how fast. Then we narrow it down, checking joints, valves and each appliance connection until we find the source.
Most leaks come from a loose or corroded joint, a worn appliance valve or old pipework that has been knocked or disturbed during building work. Once it is fixed, we test the whole installation again and only restore the supply when it passes.
- Gas tightness test on the full installation
- Leak traced to the joint, pipe or appliance
- Repair or replacement of the faulty section
- Retest before the gas is turned back on
- Appliances relit and checked for safe operation
Gas leak or carbon monoxide?
A gas leak usually smells like rotten eggs, because a smell is added to the gas. Carbon monoxide has no smell at all. It comes from appliances burning badly, and it causes headaches, dizziness and nausea.
Both are dealt with through 0800 111 999 first. The best protection against CO is a working carbon monoxide alarm and a regular gas safety check.
What is included
- Gas tightness test on your installation
- Leak traced to the source
- Repair to pipework, joints or appliance connections
- Full retest before the supply is restored
- Appliances checked before we leave
- Price agreed before any repair work starts
Gas leak detection and repair FAQs
Who do I call first if I smell gas?
The National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. It is free and open 24 hours a day. Call them before you call any heating engineer, including us. They will make the supply safe.
The emergency engineer turned my gas off. What now?
They have made it safe, but the fault still needs fixing. Book a Gas Safe registered engineer to trace and repair the leak. Do not turn the gas back on yourself, and do not use any appliance that has been labelled as unsafe.
Can a small gas leak wait?
No. Any smell of gas should be reported to 0800 111 999 straight away, however faint. Leave it to the emergency service to judge how serious it is.
What causes gas leaks in homes?
Usually a loose or corroded joint, a faulty appliance valve, or pipework damaged during building work such as a nail through a floorboard. Old flexible hoses on cookers can also wear out.
Do you repair gas leaks on the meter or the street supply?
No. The meter and the supply up to it are handled by the gas network and your supplier. We repair pipework and appliances inside your property, after the emergency service has made it safe.
Get a fixed price for your home
Tell us about the job and we will arrange a free survey.