Gas Leaks Don’t Always Announce Themselves

Most leaks stay hidden until they’re serious

Here’s what makes gas leaks tricky – you can’t see them, and the small ones barely smell. Natural gas companies add that rotten egg smell on purpose so you can detect leaks, but it only works if enough gas is escaping. A slow leak? You might not smell anything for months.

Gas lines corrode over time, especially older ones. Fittings loosen up when your foundation shifts or temperatures swing. That flexible connector to your dryer or water heater wears out. Appliances develop small cracks in their gas valves. All these things happen gradually in places you never look – crawl spaces, inside walls, behind appliances.

Small leaks waste gas and drive up your bill. Bigger leaks cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Major leaks become fire hazards.

Getting your gas system inspected regularly catches problems before they turn dangerous.