Gas powers everything from heating to cooking in millions of Aussie homes. With about five million homes connected to the natural gas network1 and another two million households using bottled gas, it’s a common staple.2 But what can happen when things go wrong?
If you own, rent or are holidaying in a home with gas, it’s important to know that gas leaks can occur – and may be dangerous.3
While the damage a gas leak might cause – for example, through a house fire or explosion – may be covered by home insurance,4 a leak may also pose a health risk to you and your family.3
Left undetected, gas leaks can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, headaches and dizziness, and a general feeling of being unwell. In severe cases, a leak can cause unconsciousness or permanent injury and can even be fatal.3
Staying alert to the signs of a gas leak and knowing how to respond may be potentially lifesaving. First, it’s helpful to understand the common causes of these leaks.
So, how do gas leaks occur?
A gas leak occurs when gas – either the natural gas that’s distributed by gas mains or pipelines, or the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that’s usually distributed in gas bottles5 – unintentionally escapes from a pipeline or bottle.6
This can happen for a number of reasons, including if the pipe that delivers natural gas into a home gets damaged. The most common cause of this is unauthorised excavation and construction work, but extreme weather can also cause distribution network pipes to crack.7
Leaks can also occur if a pipe or gas bottle is corroded or if the joint seal is weak, or if a gas-operated appliance – for example an oven, cooktop or gas heater – isn’t installed or maintained properly.6
Why can a gas leak be dangerous?
For starters, whether it’s natural gas or LPG, a gas leak can cause a fire or an explosion.3
Andrew Clarke, Executive Officer at Master Plumbers Association of South Australia, says that when a house in Goodwood, South Australia, experienced a gas leak under the floorboards, the resulting explosion caused the entire roof to blow upwards, approximately 10cm off the surrounding walls, and it needed to be rebuilt.
The damage caused by such an explosion may be covered by your insurance. At Youi, both buildings insurance and Contents insurance include explosions, as well as accidental fires, as insured events.8
While natural gas and LPG aren’t poisonous or toxic, if they’re leaked into a confined space at home, they can displace the oxygen in the air,9 which can be hazardous for your health.3
A gas leak can also cause a build-up of carbon monoxide - which is odourless and colourless -10 when the gas is lit, due to the leak preventing the gas from fully combusting.3 In an enclosed area or one that’s poorly ventilated, this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.10
Gas leak detection tips
A handheld electronic gas leak detector, which you can buy from specialist tool shops, can identify a leak.11 If you don’t have a detector, the following signs may indicate a gas leak at your place:
You can smell rotten eggs
“One of the easiest ways to detect gas leaks is that there will probably be a strong gas odour, especially if it is a pipe outside the house,” says Clarke.
Natural gas and LPG are both odourless, so a harmless chemical that smells like rotten eggs is added so that we can detect it.3 This is usually the most obvious sign of a natural gas leak.7
You can hear a hissing noise
As natural gas is transported to consumers via pressurised pipelines, leaking gas can also create a hissing or blowing sound when it escapes a breach in the pipe.7
Your gas bill has spiked
A higher-than-usual gas bill, or having to order LPG bottles more frequently, may indicate there’s a leak if there’s no other explanation for an increase in gas use.11
“Higher-than-normal gas usage is a warning sign that something’s not right,” says Clarke. “Most energy providers have a guide to usage, based on how many people are occupying a house.”
The gas flame has changed colour
Gas appliances should produce a blue flame. If the flame is red or yellow, it may mean you have a gas leak.11
Your pilot lights keep going out
Some older gas appliances have pilot lights, which ignite the gas when it starts to flow. A gas leak can cause a pilot light to keep extinguishing.11
Your plants are dying
If the grass and vegetation near a natural gas pipeline on your property, or near your LPG bottles,11 look discoloured or start to die, there may be a gas leak.7 Indoor plants may also be affected by a leak inside.11
What you can do if you have a gas leak
If you smell gas or suspect you have a leak, Energy Safe Victoria recommends taking the following precautions:12
- If it’s safe to do so, turn your gas off at either the meter (for natural gas users) or at the bottle (for LPG users).
- Don’t operate electrical switches or devices.
- Don’t strike a match or light a cigarette, and extinguish any flames that are burning, such as candles.
- If you’re inside, open doors and windows to ventilate the area.
- Keep people away from the affected area.
- Call your gas emergency contact number.12
Your gas emergency contact number will depend on who supplies your gas. If your house is connected to the natural gas network, you can find your distributor at the Australian Energy Regulator’s website, or by checking your energy bill.13
“Your gas provider will have the resources available to test the system and can usually assess the situation for no cost,” says Clarke.
As well as notifying your gas distributor, you may also need to contact a licensed gas fitter to fix the problem that’s causing the gas leak.14
“If the leak is coming from the meter or the connection to the infrastructure side, the gas provider will repair the leak,” explains Clarke. “If the leak is found to be on the property after the gas meter, that will require a licensed gas fitter to investigate.”
If you’re renting, contact your real estate agent who can arrange this.15 However, gas leaks are often classified as an urgent repair, which can mean that if your agent doesn’t respond, you may be able to contact a licensed gas fitter to have it repaired yourself – check your lease to see whether it includes a preferred tradesperson. The cost of the gas leak repair – up to a certain amount – will generally be reimbursed later on.16
If you’re staying in an Airbnb, there’s a 24-hour safety line you can use if you feel unsafe,17 although Airbnb advises guests to contact emergency services right away if your personal safety is threatened during a stay.18
If you believe there’s a major gas leak and the situation may endanger your or someone else’s life or property, call Triple Zero (000).3
What are the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be quite unspecific and as a result, may be mistaken for food poisoning or the flu. Symptoms can include headaches, nausea and vomiting, weakness, muscle pain, flushed skin, dizziness, shortness of breath and feeling confused.10
In extreme cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause seizures or loss of consciousness and can even be fatal.10
Anyone – including your pets – can experience poisoning if they’re exposed to carbon monoxide but children, older adults, pregnant women and their unborn babies, as well as people living with a chronic illness, are at an increased risk of the severe health impacts it can cause.10
If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, Victoria’s Department of Health recommends seeking medical advice immediately.10 Healthdirect Australia, the national virtual public health information service, suggests calling its helpline on 1800 022 222 or the Poisons Information Line on 13 11 26.19 If it’s an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).20
Keeping your gas appliances safe
As well as knowing how to identify a potential gas leak and what actions to take, there are steps you can take that may help prevent a leak from happening and keep your gas appliances running safely.
Have appliances serviced regularly
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines around timelines for servicing.21 As an example, standards say gas heaters should be serviced every two years by a licensed gas fitter.22
Keep appliances clean
Regularly cleaning your gas appliances may help to prevent leaks.15 For example, don’t allow a build-up of fat and burnt food to accumulate in your gas oven or on your gas cooktop.21
Check before you dig
If your property is connected to the natural gas network, use Before You Dig Australia’s utility plan request service before you start any DIY projects that involve excavating to avoid disrupting pipework.23
Keep in mind that as a landlord, you may be legally obligated under your state or territory's tenancy regulations to conduct regular safety checks on any gas installations, fittings and appliances in your rental property.10
If you have gas at your place - whether it’s piped in or you use gas bottles - you might be thinking about the consequences of an undetected leak. Youi has insurance policies for homeowners, renters and landlords which may suit your circumstances – consider starting a quote with Youi.
1 Source: Grattan Institute – Getting off gas: Why, how, and who should pay?, June 2023
2 Source: Gas Energy Australia – Gas pumps $121 billion into national economy, September 2023
3 Source: NSW Government Fair Trading – Gas safety
4 Source: Canstar – Fire insurance cover for bushfires & house fires, March 2024
5 Source: ELGAS – LPG vs Natural Gas – Propane vs Methane, April 2024
6 Source: Canstar Blue – How to detect a gas leak in the house, September 2024
7 Source: Energy Safe Victoria – Natural gas hazards safety guide
8 Exclusions, limits and additional fees may apply. See the PDS for full details.
9 Source: Qld Government – Using natural gas and LPG safely
10 Source: Vic Government, Department of Health – Carbon monoxide poisoning, May 2023
11 Source: ELGAS – Gas Leaks – How Do You Check for Gas Leak – Gas Leak Detection, June 2023
12 Source: Energy Safe Victoria – Gas emergencies
13 Source: Australian Energy Regulator – Who is your distributor?
14 Source: Australian Gas Networks – Gas Emergencies, Leaks and Outages
15 Source: AGL – Gas leaks and safety
16 Source: NSW Government – Getting repairs done on a rental property
17 Source: Airbnb – AirCover for guests
18 Source: Airbnb – Contacting Airbnb.org support
19 Source: Healthdirect – Contact us
20 Source: Healthdirect – Poisoning
21 Source: Energy Australia – Gas appliances safety
22 Source: AGL – Your go-to guide for gas heater servicing, July 2023
23 Source: Before You Dig Australia – For homeowners
