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What Does a Gas Leak Smell Like? Warning Signs and What to Do in Melbourne
Natural gas has no smell. That sulphur odour you’re picking up — the one that people describe as rotten eggs — is actually a chemical called mercaptan, which gas companies add deliberately so that leaks are detectable.
If you’ve caught that smell and you’re wondering whether you have a gas leak, here’s how to find it, what to do and who to call in Victoria.
What Does a Gas Leak Smell Like?
Most people describe it as rotten eggs or a sharp, sulphurous smell — similar to a lit match but more persistent. You might notice it near a gas appliance, in a cupboard where pipes run, or outside near your gas meter. The smell can be faint at first and get stronger over time.
If it’s coming and going, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Intermittent smells can still indicate a slow leak at a fitting or connection.
How to Find a Gas Leak: Other Signs to Look For
Smell isn’t always the first signal. Knowing how to detect a gas leak means watching for these too:
- A hissing or whistling noise near a gas line, meter, or appliance
- A cooktop burner with a yellow or orange flame instead of blue
- Dead or discoloured patches of grass above an underground gas line
- Dizziness, nausea, or unexplained headaches when you’re indoors
- A gas bill that’s jumped without explanation
- Your heater or hot water system cutting out without an obvious reason
Any single sign might have another cause. More than one? Call a licensed gas plumber.
What to Do If You Smell Gas
Knowing what to do if you smell gas at home is just as important as recognising the smell itself. Follow these steps:
- Don’t touch any switches — leave lights on or off as they are, and don’t plug in or unplug anything
- Turn off the gas at the main supply valve if it’s safe and accessible
- Open all windows and doors to ventilate the space
- Don’t use naked flames (no lighters, candles, or matches)
- Get everyone out of the building, including pets
- Call a licensed gas plumber once you’re outside and clear of the building
Don’t re-enter until a professional has inspected and cleared the premises.
How to Check for a Gas Leak
If the smell is faint and you’re not sure, one simple way to find a gas leak on visible pipework is to apply soapy water to connections and fittings. Bubbles forming at a join point to a leak at that spot.
That works for what you can see. For pipes inside walls, under slabs, or underground — the kind you can’t access — you need specialist equipment. Our team uses Metrotec and Rigid gas detection tools to pinpoint leaks accurately without unnecessary digging or damage to your property.
Do You Suspect Gas Leak? Who to Call in Victoria
In Victoria, all gas fitting work must be carried out by a licensed gas fitter — not a handyman and not a DIY fix.
If you believe the situation is immediately dangerous, call 000 first. You can also contact your gas distributor (AusNet Services or Multinet Gas in metropolitan Melbourne) to isolate supply while you wait.
Our gas leak detection team at O’Shea Plumbing has been handling gas leaks across Melbourne for over 48 years. We carry out all repairs to AS/NZS 5601 standards and issue a compliance certificate on completion. We’re available 7 days a week.
Smell gas? Call us on 03 9888 2887.
