Why does gas have a smell?
Natural gas is colourless and has no smell of its own. If it leaked without a smell, nobody would know until it was dangerous. So before it reaches your home, the gas network adds a strong-smelling odorant, usually described as rotten eggs or cabbage, so even a small leak is easy to notice. That smell is a safety feature, and it's there for you to act on.
What the smell is
The odorant is a sulfur-based compound, added in tiny amounts. It's harmless at those levels, but very easy for people to smell. LPG in gas bottles has an odorant added too, for the same reason.
What different smells mean
Strong smell inside
Treat it as a leak. Follow the steps below straight away.
Brief smell when lighting
A quick whiff as a cooktop burner lights is common, especially if it took a few clicks. It should disappear immediately.
Faint smell near the meter or hot water
Can be a small leak at a fitting. Still worth having checked.
Smell outside in the street
May be a network leak. Report it to the gas network.
If you smell gas in the house
- Don't switch lights or appliances on or off, and don't light anything.
- Turn off the gas at the meter. See our gas shut-off guide.
- Open doors and windows, and get everyone outside.
- Call a licensed gasfitter, and don't turn the gas back on until it has been checked.
Our gas safety guide covers warning signs and carbon monoxide in more detail.
How we find gas leaks
We pressure test your gas pipework to confirm whether there's a leak, then find it using leak detection fluid and gas detectors at each fitting and appliance. Once it's repaired, we retest and give you the compliance paperwork. You get a fixed price before any work starts. See gas fitting.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
Why does gas smell like rotten eggs?
A sulfur-based odorant is added to natural gas so leaks are easy to smell. The gas itself has no smell.
Is it normal to smell gas when lighting the stove?
A brief smell as a burner lights can be normal. A smell that lingers is not, and should be checked.
Can you get used to the gas smell?
Yes, people can stop noticing a smell after a while. If someone coming into the house notices gas, take it seriously.
Does LPG have a smell too?
Yes. An odorant is added to LPG for the same safety reason.
Related help: gas safety guide, gas shut-off guide, gas fitting and gas turned off after a leak. Local pages: gas fitting Maroubra, Matraville, Pagewood and Botany. Browse all our plumbing guides.