Smell Gas? Here's Exactly What to Do — and Who to Call.
If you're on this page because something smells off in your home, stop reading and act first. Leave the building immediately. Don't flip any light switches, don't use your phone until you're outside, and don't try to find the source yourself. Once you're clear, call your gas utility to shut off supply, then call us. Gas leak detection is one of the calls we prioritize above everything else, and we'll walk you through next steps right over the phone.
If you've already cleared the area and your utility has been out, or if you're dealing with a slower suspected leak rather than an emergency, here's what you need to know. We serve Clayton and Johnston County homeowners with the same detection methods the gas companies use — because that's exactly where Eric learned them. Natural gas and propane leaks aren't always dramatic. Sometimes it's a faint sulfur smell near an appliance. Sometimes it's a dead patch in the yard above a buried line. Either way, the answer isn't a guess — it's a test.
What to Do the Moment You Smell Gas
The first few minutes matter. Follow these steps in order:
- Get everyone out of the house, including pets. Don't stop to grab belongings.
- Leave doors open as you exit to help ventilate, but don't waste time.
- Don't touch light switches, thermostats, garage door openers, or anything electrical — a spark from any of these can ignite gas vapor.
- Don't use your phone until you're outside and away from the building.
- Once clear, call your gas utility's emergency line to request an immediate shutoff.
- Then call Pro Maxx One. We'll talk you through what happens next and get a technician moving your direction.
If the smell is faint and intermittent — something you've noticed occasionally near an appliance or in a specific room — it still warrants a professional inspection. A slow leak is still a leak.
How We Find Gas Leaks — We Test, We Don't Guess
A lot of plumbers will do a visual check and call it done. We don't work that way. Pro Maxx One uses the same diagnostic approach the utility companies use, which means we're not relying on a hunch or a quick sniff test.
Our gas leak detection process uses three methods depending on the situation:
- Electronic gas detection: A calibrated sniffer instrument that detects natural gas and propane at concentrations far below what the human nose can register. This is how we find leaks that aren't obvious.
- Bubble test: Applied directly to fittings, valves, and connections. If there's a leak at a joint, the soap solution will tell us exactly where.
- Pressure decay test: We pressurize the line and monitor it over time. If the pressure drops, there's an escape point somewhere in the system. This method catches leaks that aren't at visible connection points — including underground lines.
Between these three, we get a definitive answer. You'll know whether there's a leak, where it is, and what it takes to fix it.
Eric's Gas Utility Background Changes What's Possible
Most plumbers learned gas work from the plumbing side. Eric learned it from the utility side — working directly with the gas companies before starting Pro Maxx One. That background means he diagnoses leaks the way a utility inspector does, not just the way a plumber does.
That matters in a few specific ways. He knows what failure points to look for in distribution lines, not just at appliance connections. He understands how buried lines behave over time and what causes pressure loss underground. And when he tells you a line is safe, he's tested it the same way the gas company would — not just eyeballed it and moved on.
For Clayton and Johnston County homeowners, that utility-side knowledge is something no other local plumber can offer. It's part of why gas companies in the area refer their own customers to us.
What to Expect When You Call Us for a Gas Leak
We know a gas concern is stressful. Here's how the call and visit typically go so there are no surprises.
When you call, we'll ask a few quick questions about what you're experiencing — where the smell is coming from, whether it's constant or intermittent, and whether your utility has already been out. If it sounds like an active emergency, we'll tell you clearly and help you prioritize next steps before we even dispatch.
On-site, we'll run through our full detection process — electronic sniffing, bubble testing at connections, and pressure testing if the situation warrants it. We'll tell you what we find, explain the repair if one is needed, and give you a straight answer on cost before any work begins.
If we don't find a leak, we'll tell you that too. No manufactured urgency, no upselling a repair you don't need. If your system tests clean, you'll leave the conversation with peace of mind and nothing else on your bill for a problem that wasn't there.
Gas Leak Detection — Common Questions
What does a gas leak smell like?
Natural gas itself is odorless, but utility companies add a chemical called mercaptan to make it detectable. Most people describe it as a rotten egg or sulfur smell. Propane has a similar odor. If you notice that smell anywhere in or around your home — even faintly — take it seriously and don't try to locate the source yourself.Who do I call if I smell gas in my house?
First, get out of the house without touching any switches or electronics. Once you're safely outside, call your gas utility's emergency line to request a shutoff. After that, call Pro Maxx One. We handle gas leak detection in Clayton and throughout Johnston County and can dispatch quickly for suspected leaks.How long does a gas leak inspection take?
Most inspections take between 45 minutes and two hours depending on the size of the home and the number of gas appliances and lines involved. If we find a leak and the repair is straightforward, we can often handle it the same visit. More complex repairs — like a compromised underground line — may require a follow-up appointment.How much does gas leak detection cost in Clayton, NC?
Costs vary based on the scope of the inspection and whether a repair is needed. We give you a clear picture of what's involved before any work starts. If we run the full detection process and find no leak, you're not paying for a fix that wasn't necessary.Can Pro Maxx One detect propane leaks, or just natural gas?
Both. Our electronic detection equipment reads natural gas and propane, and our pressure testing methods work on either system. If you're on a propane setup and something seems off — smell, a higher-than-usual tank burn rate, or a dead spot in the yard — give us a call.
