A gas leak is one of the most serious household emergencies you can face. In Melbourne, natural gas and LPG supply millions of homes, and while modern gas systems are very safe, leaks do occur — and when they do, fast action is essential.
Signs You Have a Gas Leak
Gas suppliers add a sulphur-like smell (mercaptan) to natural gas specifically so leaks can be detected. The warning signs of a gas leak include:
- Smell of rotten eggs or sulphur near gas appliances or pipework
- Hissing or whistling sound near gas lines or fittings
- Dead or yellowing grass in a patch over underground gas pipes
- Bubbling in puddles or wet soil near gas pipes
- Gas appliances with yellow or orange flames instead of blue
- Unexplained increase in gas bills
- Physical symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea near a gas appliance
What to Do If You Suspect a Gas Leak
Speed and caution are everything. Follow these steps immediately:
- Do not turn any electrical switches on or off — sparks can ignite gas
- Do not use any naked flames — no lighters, matches, or candles
- Do not use your mobile phone inside the building — step outside first
- Turn off the gas at the meter if it is safe to do so (the meter is usually outside)
- Open doors and windows to ventilate
- Evacuate everyone from the building
- Call your gas distributor emergency line: AusNet Services 13 67 07 or Australian Gas Networks 1800 GAS LEAK (1800 427 532)
- Call a licensed gas fitter to inspect and repair before turning gas back on
Gas Leak Risks
Natural gas is primarily methane and is highly flammable. In an enclosed space, gas accumulates until it reaches its explosive range (5-15% concentration in air). A single spark — a light switch, a phone, a doorbell — can ignite it. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a secondary risk from incomplete combustion in poorly ventilated spaces.
Common Causes of Gas Leaks in Melbourne Homes
The most frequent causes we find when attending gas leak callouts in Melbourne include corroded or cracked gas fittings, faulty appliance connections, old flexible gas hoses behind cooktops and ovens that have split, poorly maintained gas appliances, and accidental damage to buried gas pipes during excavation or landscaping work.
Gas Leak Detection Methods
A licensed gas fitter uses electronic gas detectors to locate leaks precisely. We apply soapy water to fittings to identify bubbling at leak points. Pressure testing the gas system identifies any drop that indicates a leak, even if the leak is too small to smell. We also visually inspect all exposed pipework, flexible connections, and appliance fittings.
Flexible Gas Hose Risks
Flexible gas hoses (the corrugated metal hoses connecting cooktops, ovens, and heaters to the gas outlet) are a common failure point in Melbourne homes. They degrade over time and can split, particularly when kinked or when cleaning products contact them. Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends replacing them every 5-10 years regardless of apparent condition. If your flexible hose is visibly corroded, kinked, or more than 10 years old, replace it proactively.
Sedcon Plumbing — Licensed Gas Fitters in Melbourne
Our team is fully licensed for gas fitting work across Melbourne. We respond to gas leak callouts 24/7. Do not attempt to repair gas leaks yourself — gas work must be performed by a licensed gas fitter under Victorian law. Call us on 0468 013 012 for emergency gas leak detection and repair.
Learn more about our Gas Leak Melbourne service, or see all suburbs we cover across greater Melbourne.