Gas leaks in Perth homes: warning signs and what to do first

A gas leak is one of the few plumbing-adjacent emergencies where the right response genuinely matters for your safety, not just your property. Knowing the signs and what to do first, calmly and quickly, is worth understanding before you ever need it.

This is general safety information, not a substitute for emergency services or professional advice in an actual gas emergency. If you believe you have a genuine gas leak, treat it as urgent.

Recognising the signs

• Smell. The distinctive, sulphur-like odour added to gas is the most common and reliable warning sign. Trust your nose here.
• Sound. A hissing noise near a gas appliance, meter, or fitting can indicate gas escaping under pressure.
• Dead or discoloured vegetation. Unexplained dead patches of grass or plants, particularly in a line near where underground gas pipe runs, can indicate a slow underground leak.
• Physical symptoms. Headaches, dizziness or nausea that improve when you leave the house and return when you’re back inside can, in rare cases, be linked to a gas issue, though these symptoms have many other causes too.
• Unusually high gas bills. A sudden, unexplained jump in usage without a change in habits is sometimes a sign of a leak somewhere in the system.

What to do first

1. Leave the property. Get everyone, including pets, outside and away from the building.
2. Don’t create a spark. Avoid light switches, phones, doorbells, matches, lighters or anything that could ignite gas.
3. Don’t try to find or fix it yourself. Leave locating and repairing the leak to a licensed gas fitter with the right equipment.
4. Call for help from a safe distance. For a serious or immediate risk, call emergency services. Once it’s safe, arrange a licensed gas fitter to inspect and repair the issue properly.
5. Don’t re-enter until it’s confirmed safe. Wait for confirmation from emergency services or the gas fitter before going back inside.

Why leaks happen

Gas leaks are usually linked to ageing or damaged pipework, a fitting that’s come loose, a faulty appliance connection, or accidental damage during other work like digging or renovations. This is one of the reasons any gas fitting or appliance connection needs to be done by a licensed gas fitter and properly certified: uncertified or DIY gas work is a real risk factor for leaks down the track.

Warning sign	What it suggests	Action
Sulphur-like smell	Active gas escaping	Leave immediately, avoid sparks
Hissing near a fitting	Gas escaping under pressure	Leave, call for help
Dead vegetation over a gas line	Possible slow underground leak	Contact a licensed gas fitter
Sudden bill increase	Possible leak somewhere in the system	Arrange an inspection

Reducing the risk going forward

Regular servicing of gas appliances, using only licensed gas fitters for any connection or repair work, and being alert to warning signs rather than dismissing them all reduce the chance of a leak developing in the first place. If you smell a faint, unfamiliar odour near a gas appliance and you’re not sure whether it’s genuinely gas, it’s still worth having it checked rather than assuming it’s nothing. A licensed gas fitter would rather attend a false alarm than have a genuine leak go unreported.

After the immediate risk is over

Once a licensed gas fitter has located and repaired the issue, ask for the compliance certification confirming the repair meets WA safety standards. This closes the loop properly and gives you documentation for insurance if needed.

If the leak was caused by an appliance rather than the fixed pipework, ask the gas fitter whether it’s a one-off fault or a sign the appliance itself is reaching the end of its safe working life. Ageing gas appliances can develop recurring seal or connection issues, and knowing this early lets you plan a replacement on your own timeline rather than facing another leak scare down the track.

To find a licensed gas fitter for an inspection or repair, our gas fitting category ranks Perth operators using our published scoring methodology. The full plumber directory covers related trades if your property needs more than gas work.