Why does my house smell like gas, but there's no leak? A faint propane smell may not be cause for alarm. It's normal for a propane odor to linger when lighting a stove, or if the pilot light in a gas fireplace, hot water heater or other appliance goes out.
Gas smell: When the oven first starts, it is normal to detect an unusual odor coming from the range. This odor is caused by the combustion of gas at the burner and it will go away within a few minutes as the oven heats up.
Natural gas has no odor. Gas companies add a harmless chemical called mercaptan to give it its distinctive “rotten egg” smell. All natural gas and propane pipeline gas in Connecticut is odorized. If you smell gas near an appliance, it may be just a pilot light that has gone out or a burner valve that is open slightly.
Smelling Gas While Using the Stove
Turn off the burner, then turn off the main gas supply. Ventilate the area by opening windows and turning on fans. A professional appliance repair technician will need to check for leaks or loose connections.
Your Furnace or Water Heater Has Bacteria
Depending on the bacteria, it could grow and release sulfur that smells like gas. If you notice the smell at the beginning of winter, there's a decent chance the furnace is the source. If you get a gas-like smell after using hot water, consider if your water heater is to blame.
If you smell this odor in your home, and you're sure it isn't actual rotten food, you could have a natural gas leak. Other ways to identify a gas leak include: Bubbles in standing water: If you have standing water outside your home, say in a pool or fountain, there could be a leak in your outdoor gas line.
DO NOT open your windows if you smell natural gas in your home! Natural gas is combustible only when it makes up 5-15% of the air in a given space. By opening a window, you might actually make the area more unsafe. DO NOT turn on/off any lights or appliances if you smell natural gas in your home or building.
Natural gas stoves can release carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and other harmful pollutants into the air, which can be toxic to people and pets.
Typically, you'll need to allow your home to air out for fifteen minutes to a few hours, but the exact timeframe depends on the severity of the leak and wind conditions in your area.
You should turn off the stove, and you, your family, and any pets should leave immediately. Although you might think you should open the windows to air out your house, resist the urge to do so.
High levels of natural gas exposure can cause natural gas poisoning, which is characterized by fatigue, severe headaches, memory problems, loss of concentration, nausea, loss of consciousness, and suffocation.
No matter the age of your appliance, your oven should never be smelling like a gas while you are using it. If the gas valve is on and you hear a hissing sound, this could be caused by a puncture in your gas tank resulting in gas leakage.
A gas smell during preheating could be caused by a dirty oven, a failing igniter, packaging materials being left in the oven, or blocked oven vents. The strength and frequency of the gas smell can also relate to the adding of odorant to the gas or propane used with the oven.
Identifying The Source Of The Smell Of Gas
One of the most common causes is that the gas stove has been left on or not lit, or the pilot light for the HVAC system has gone out.
Breathing gasoline vapor can cause headache, nausea, and dizziness. Extremely high levels can cause fainting and even death. Gasoline in the air can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
Unfortunately, natural gas won't always emit a smell when it escapes. That means you can have a leak in your home and not even know it! Gas leaks can result in a host of health issues and even fatality in certain situations.
Natural gas detectors can alert you and your family of odorless and dangerous leaks. Natural gas detectors may not be as common on the list of must haves for the home such as a smoke detector or fire extinguisher, but these devices are worth serious consideration and can detect potentially serious situations.
Will a carbon monoxide alarm detect gas leaks? Answer: While a carbon monoxide detector is helpful to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, you cannot rely on a carbon monoxide detector to detect a gas leak. A carbon monoxide detector will sense carbon monoxide, not raw fuel or gas fumes.