Do you suspect the smell of gas coming from your boiler? Here we explain what you should do straight away.
Boilers are efficient, convenient tools that make our homes comfortable.
So, we often don’t tend to pay much attention to them except when they stop working.
However, if you smell gas from the boiler, it is time to act immediately.
The smell of gas is a major emergency, regardless of where the leak is from. It poses serious health hazards and can lead to fatal accidents.
Suspect a leak? Safety first
If you suspect a gas leak, you should not hesitate to take the necessary steps to stay safe, this includes:
Turn off your gas immediately
Do not use any switches
Do not use any naked flames or smoke
Call the Emergency Gas number (0800 111 999)
Smell gas inside your home? Call 0800 111 999 immediately. It's better to be safe than sorry.
If you have a boiler installed in your home, you need to be informed about how it works and signs to watch out for.
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This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about gas leaks and how you can safeguard your home against a potential mishap.
What should you do when you smell gas?
Gas leaks pose dangerous threats and it is important to act fast to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Here are some important steps to take if you smell gas.
1. Do not smoke or turn on any electrical appliance
Whenever there is a chance of a spark, such as when a switch is activated or smoking or vaping, it significantly increases the risk of an explosion because of the presence of gas.
In such cases, it is best to not switch on any appliance and switch off the ones that are on.
2. Ventilate the property
To reduce the risk of explosion, you must open all the doors and windows to allow the gas to escape and fresh air to replace it.
3. If it is safe, turn the gas off
The main gas valve is generally located near the meter. Switch off this valve to prevent any more gas from leaking.
You will typically find the meter on the outside wall, in the garage, or under the kitchen sink.
If you live above a commercial property, speak to the owner about the whereabouts of the meter and what to do in case of emergencies.
It is also recommended you speak to your gas supplier and know where the meter is, in case any emergencies arise.
4. Evacuate and inform your neighbors
Save yourself and your loved ones and evacuate everyone from the property.
You should also inform your neighbours even if they are not in close vicinity of the leak. It will let them be prepared if the need arises.
5. Call professionals
Call the national gas emergency service on 0800 111 999. They will send over an expert engineer who can detect, contain, and stop the gas leakage.
Your leak may not necessarily be from the boiler. It could be from other places like pipework, floorboards, or even your neighbour’s boiler.
Do not call from your landline, stay far away from the area of the leak, and use a mobile phone or a neighbour’s phone.
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6. Wait for the all clear
Once you have evacuated the property, don’t let anyone except the professional experts enter the place. Wait for the engineer to give the all-clear before entering the property.
Detecting a gas leak
If you detect a smell of gas in your home, check all the gas appliances in your house to locate the source of the leak. You can look for the following signs.
1. The smell of rotten eggs
You should be able to detect a sulfur-like smell.
The smell can be coming from your boiler, furnace, or fireplace. Look for a persistent smell that is not fading away.
2. Hissing sound
This sound is a sign of air leaking with force. Try to locate the source of the sound.
3. Dead grass patches
If you notice a patch or patches of dead grass on the lawn where your gas line is, it is a major sign of a gas leak. The grass has died due to the toxicity of the gas.
4. Carbon monoxide detected
If you notice a gas smell from your home’s air vent and when the carbon monoxide detector goes off, it is a gas leak.
Related reading:
Other factors that may cause your boiler to smell
Burning of heavy dust
When the boiler is not in use during the non-winter months, it will collect dust. And once you start it up again, it may smell like gas or burning fabric or even like rotten eggs.
This smell is because of the dust being burned off. You can try to clean your boiler before restarting it or let it burn off the collected dust.
The smell will clear off after some time. If it persists, it is an indication of something serious and you should contact the emergency gas number immediately.
Trash or compost
Sometimes, the rotten-egg smell may have nothing to do with your boiler system.
It may be the result of the trash pile you have left unchecked in your backyard. As the trash decomposes, it produces an odour similar to a gas leak.
So, if you notice a gas-like smell accompanied by wafts of air, check your property for any leftover trash that may be causing it.
Over-heating, electrical, or mechanical
Boilers are complex appliances with several electrical and mechanical connections. Regular use and normal wear and tear can lead to these connections getting frayed or disconnected.
When the electrical circuits get too hot, you can detect a smell similar to that of burning oil or metal, or melted plastic.
Although this is not due to a gas leak, it can still prove dangerous if you keep running the boiler if it has loose connections. Turn off the boiler and consult a Gas-Safe engineer for possible solutions.
Prevention is better than cure
The first step in keeping your home safe is getting your appliances installed by a Gas-Safe engineer only.
You should also get your appliances inspected and serviced by registered gas engineers.
If and when you detect any sign of trouble, get professional help immediately.
Apart from a leaky boiler, a boiler emitting carbon monoxide also poses a serious health hazard that should not be ignored. A carbon monoxide leak can be fatal.
Carbon monoxide is an odourless gas, so you may not be able to detect it easily.
However, you can look for one or more of the following symptoms to check whether you have a carbon monoxide gas leak:
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Shortness of breath
Light-headedness
Sleeplessness
Seizures
Confusion
Heart attack
Loss of consciousness (and death within minutes)
If you detect any of these signs, make sure you get the boiler checked and serviced by a professional immediately.
You should also ensure that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. If not, get one immediately.
If you suspect a carbon monoxide gas leak or if you have a detector and the alarm goes off, then follow this procedure:
Turn off all appliances
Ventilate your home by opening all doors and windows
Seek help from the above-mentioned national helpline number
Enter the property only after it has been inspected and received an all-clear from the engineer
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas. Get medical help even if you feel fine and are not experiencing any symptoms
Smell of gas from boiler conclusion
Detecting the smell of gas from your boiler is not something you can treat lightly.
A gas leak poses serious health risks and can even be fatal. If you detect a gas leak in your home, follow our guide on the safety measures you should implement.
It is always better to be cautious and avoid any scenarios that may lead to a gas leak.
Most importantly, get your installation done through a certified Gas-Safe engineer and get your system regularly monitored and serviced.
These simple preventive measures will go a long way in keeping your home and your family safe.
