If you suspect a gas leak at your home or business in Surrey, the most important thing to know is this: do not call a plumber first. Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 — free, 24 hours a day. They will dispatch an emergency operative to isolate your gas supply and make the property safe.
Once the emergency has been dealt with and your gas supply has been isolated, that is when you call us. Our Gas Safe registered engineers cover the whole of Surrey and can carry out a full safety inspection of your appliances, pipework, and flues — issuing a safety certificate before any gas appliance is used again.
Warning Signs of a Gas Leak
Gas leaks are not always obvious, but there are some clear warning signs to watch for. Natural gas is odourless in its natural state, which is why gas suppliers add a chemical called mercaptan — the source of that distinctive rotten egg or sulphur smell. If you notice any of the following, take it seriously:
- A smell of rotten eggs or sulphur — the most common indicator. Even a faint smell should not be ignored.
- A hissing or whistling sound near a gas pipe, meter, or appliance — this can indicate gas escaping under pressure.
- Dead or dying houseplants that have no other obvious cause — gas in the soil inhibits root systems.
- Feeling dizzy, nauseous, or lightheaded indoors — gas displaces oxygen and exposure can cause these symptoms.
- Bubbles in puddles or standing water near pipework — particularly relevant if you have gas pipes running underground.
- Visible damage to a gas pipe following building work, excavation, or an accidental impact.
If you notice one or more of these signs, act immediately. Do not wait to see if it gets worse.
What to Do Immediately If You Smell Gas
Follow these steps without exception. The order matters.
- Do not touch any electrical switches — do not turn lights on or off, do not press doorbell buttons, do not use any electrical device. A small spark is enough to ignite gas.
- Do not light any flames — no matches, no lighters, no candles. Do not smoke.
- Open all windows and doors — get air moving through the property to help disperse the gas.
- Get everyone out of the building — including pets. Move well away from the property.
- Call the National Gas Emergency Service: 0800 111 999 — this call is free and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They will send an emergency operative to your address.
- Do not re-enter the property until the emergency operative has confirmed it is safe to do so.
If you are in a flat or shared building, alert your neighbours and the building manager if possible. Do not use lifts.
After the Emergency — What Happens Next
The National Gas Emergency Service will isolate your gas supply at the meter. This is their job — making the immediate situation safe. What they will not do is inspect or certify your individual appliances or pipework. That requires a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Once the emergency operative has attended and you have been given the all-clear to re-enter, you must not turn the gas back on or use any gas appliance until a Gas Safe engineer has carried out a full inspection. This is not optional — it is a safety requirement, and in rented properties, it is also a legal one.
Call us on 0800 999 1609 to arrange your post-emergency Gas Safe inspection across Surrey. We will attend promptly, work through your appliances and pipework systematically, and issue you a safety certificate when everything has been checked and confirmed safe.
What Our Gas Safe Inspection Covers
After a gas leak — whether suspected or confirmed — our engineers carry out a thorough inspection. This is not a quick visual check. It includes:
- Gas pressure test on the pipework throughout the property — to verify there are no further leaks in the system
- Full appliance inspection — boiler, cooker/hob, gas fires, and any other gas appliances
- Flue and ventilation checks — ensuring combustion gases are venting correctly and not backing up into the property
- Visual inspection of all accessible pipework — checking for corrosion, damage, or poor connections
- Tightness test — a standardised test to confirm the system holds pressure with no loss
- Safety certificate issued on completion, confirming each appliance and the gas supply system has been checked and is safe to use
All our engineers are Gas Safe registered. You can verify any engineer’s registration at the Gas Safe Register website before they start work.
Suspected Gas Leak vs Confirmed Gas Leak — What’s the Difference?
A suspected gas leak is when you detect symptoms — the smell, the sound, the physical effects — but the source has not been identified. The procedure is the same: evacuate, call 0800 111 999, do not re-enter until cleared.
A confirmed gas leak is when the emergency operative has identified the source and location of the escape. They will typically cap the supply at the meter or at the point of the leak. In either case, the gas supply will be off until a Gas Safe engineer has inspected the property and confirmed it is safe to restore.
Do not assume that because the emergency service found nothing, there is nothing to worry about. If you smelled gas, have the system checked. The cost of an inspection is nothing compared to the risk of ignoring a slow leak.
Carbon Monoxide — The Silent Related Danger
Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced when gas appliances do not burn correctly — a blocked flue, a faulty boiler, a poorly maintained fire. Unlike gas leaks, carbon monoxide has no smell and no taste. You cannot detect it without a detector.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. They are often mistaken for flu or tiredness. If multiple people in a household feel unwell simultaneously, and feel better when they leave the house, carbon monoxide should be suspected immediately.
We strongly recommend fitting a carbon monoxide detector in every room that contains a gas appliance — your boiler cupboard, kitchen, and any room with a gas fire. Detectors cost around £20–30 from any hardware store and could save your life.
If your CO detector alarm sounds, follow the same procedure as for a gas leak — get out, get air, call 999 if you feel unwell, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
Prevention — Why Annual Servicing Matters
The majority of gas leaks that our engineers encounter are preventable. They happen because appliances have not been serviced, connections have corroded over time, or pipework has been disturbed and not properly checked afterwards.
An annual boiler service by a Gas Safe registered engineer is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent a gas leak at your property. During a service, the engineer checks the heat exchanger, burner, flue, seals, and connections — catching deterioration before it becomes a danger.
We offer annual boiler servicing across Surrey. Call us on 0800 999 1609 to book. A service typically takes under an hour and gives you a full year’s peace of mind.
Landlord Gas Safety Obligations in Surrey
If you rent out a property in Surrey, you have legal obligations under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. These are not guidelines — they are law.
- Annual gas safety check — all gas appliances and flues in a rented property must be inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months
- Gas Safety Record (CP12) — the engineer must issue this certificate, and you must provide a copy to your tenants within 28 days of the check (or before they move in)
- Keep records for two years — you are required to retain copies of all gas safety records
- Maintenance obligation — gas appliances and pipework in rented properties must be maintained in safe working order throughout the tenancy
If a gas leak occurs at a rented property and you cannot demonstrate that the annual inspection was carried out and up to date, your liability exposure is significant. We work with landlords and letting agents across Surrey — contact us on 0800 999 1609 or at info@247plumbersurrey.co.uk to discuss regular inspection contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I smell gas?
Do not touch any electrical switches, do not light any flames, open all windows and doors, and get everyone out of the building immediately. Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Once they have attended and made the property safe, call us on 0800 999 1609 for a Gas Safe inspection.
Who do I call first if I have a gas leak?
Always call the National Gas Emergency Service first on 0800 111 999 — this is free and available 24 hours a day. They will send an emergency operative to isolate your gas supply. Once the property is safe, call our Gas Safe registered engineers to carry out a full safety inspection before you use any gas appliances again.
What does a Gas Safe inspection after a gas leak involve?
Our Gas Safe engineers carry out a full pressure test on your gas pipework, inspect all gas appliances including your boiler, cooker, and fires, check all flues and ventilation, and issue a safety certificate confirming the property is safe to use.
Can I stay in my home if I have a gas leak?
No. Evacuate immediately and do not return until the National Gas Emergency Service has attended and confirmed the gas supply has been isolated. Do not re-enter the property until the emergency operative says it is safe.
How can I prevent a gas leak?
Annual boiler servicing by a Gas Safe registered engineer is the most effective preventive measure. You should also install carbon monoxide detectors in every room that contains a gas appliance, and never use damaged or faulty gas equipment.
Need a Gas Safe inspection in Surrey after an emergency?
Call us on 0800 999 1609 — we cover all of Surrey and will get an engineer to you promptly.
Or email info@247plumbersurrey.co.uk