Gas leaks are quite rare in Australian homes and businesses, but they’re extremely dangerous and can lead to serious injury or death.
Australian Gas Networks’ data identified 6,194 reported gas leaks from 2023 to 2024. While the number of reported gas leaks has continued to decline year over year (and that’s certainly a good thing), it’s little solace to the thousands who experience a gas leak and need a quick and effective resolution.
Below is a quick overview of why gas leaks are so dangerous and how you can avoid them or resolve them if you’ve detected one in your property.
Why are Gas Leaks Dangerous?
Most of us are keenly aware that gas leaks are dangerous, either from seminars held in our schools or from what our parents taught us. Gas leaks are invisible and odourless (more on this in a bit), so they could spread throughout your home quickly without you noticing.
Natural gas and LPG are highly flammable substances, so any spark could result in a massive explosion. Otherwise, they could cause carbon monoxide poisoning which can be lethal and kill people whilst they sleep, or at least cause serious health problems.
Most of us rely on natural gas quite a bit in our daily lives, but it is essential that the lines and fixtures are fully secured so that there is no serious risk of a gas leak.
Telltale Signs of a Potential Gas Leak in Your Home
Unlike with water, where leaks are either completely obvious (dripping water) or their symptoms are obvious (wet or mouldy walls or flooring), natural gas is invisible so you can’t really tell visually that something may be off.
In terms of odour, however, utilities providers purposely add a chemical product known as mercaptan to gas lines by default to give it an unpleasant odour, sulphur-like or like rotten eggs. This is done to alert occupants that there is a leak, otherwise it would be completely undetectable by smell and by sight!
If you can hear a hissing sound near your fixtures (e.g. stove) or elsewhere where the lines may be running, that could also be a giveaway that you’ve got a leak. Alternatively, dead vegetation near the lines or readings from a carbon monoxide detector can also give you an indication that there’s a leak.
What to do if You Suspect a Gas Leak
In the case of a gas leak, don’t take your chances and take action immediately. In an emergency, call 000. Provided it’s safe to do so, you can turn off the valve at your gas meter.
While it’s essential to act prudently in response to a gas leak, it’s also important to keep in mind that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Having your gas appliances and fixtures installed and inspected by a gasfitter can minimise the chances of a gas leak from occurring in the first place.
What Causes Residential Gas Leaks?
In homes across Melbourne and elsewhere in Victoria, gas leaks are commonly caused by the same problems that happen pretty much everywhere else in Australia. That is to say, things like aged pipes, faulty or defective appliances, or shoddy DIY work can all lead to a gas leak.
Do You Need a Licensed Gasfitter?
Yes. You must choose a registered gasfitter in Victoria compliant with all relevant standards and regulations pertaining to gasfitting work. This is regulated by the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) in the state of Victoria. Never work with a rogue trader offering unlicensed work, as this not only puts them in danger but also exposes you and all occupants to danger as well as several other negative consequences such as voiding property insurance.
Given that gas work is inherently dangerous, as we’ve hopefully demonstrated above, it stands to reason that you should always leave this work to a registered and experienced team of plumbers with gasfitting certifications and experience.
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