Gas Leak Warning Signs and What Murrieta Homeowners Should Do

By the Murrieta Leak Pros team · October 16, 2026

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Smell gas right now? Leave the home first. From a safe distance, call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200. Do not use light switches, phones or anything that can spark while inside.

A gas leak is a safety risk, not just a repair. Knowing the warning signs helps you act fast. Once the utility says your home is safe, our gas leak detection service can find slow leaks in your gas lines and appliance connections. Call (951) 299-3473, 24/7.

What are the warning signs of a gas leak?

The main signs are a rotten-egg or sulfur smell, a hissing or whistling sound near a gas line or appliance, dead or brown plants above a buried line, bubbles in standing water outside, and a higher gas bill. Feeling dizzy, sick or tired at home can also be a sign.

Smell: Natural gas has no odor. Utilities add a chemical that smells like rotten eggs so you can notice a leak.
Sound: A hiss near the meter, stove, water heater, furnace or dryer.
Sight: Dying grass in a strip across the yard, dust blowing near the ground, or bubbles in puddles.
Bill: Gas use that rises with no new appliance or colder weather.
Health: Headaches, nausea or dizziness that ease when you leave the house.

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Technician digging beside a gas meter to expose the gas line

What should I do if I smell gas?

Get everyone out of the home right away, including pets. Leave the door open behind you. Do not flip switches, unplug things, use the garage door opener or light anything. Once you are a safe distance away, call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200. Do not go back in until they say it is safe.

Do and do not during a suspected gas leak
Do	Do not
Leave the building now	Turn lights or appliances on or off
Call from outside, away from the home	Use your phone inside the home
Warn neighbors if the smell is strong outdoors	Light matches, candles or cigarettes
Wait for the utility or fire department	Try to find the leak yourself

Where do gas leaks happen in a home?

Most home gas leaks happen at connections, not in the middle of a pipe. Flexible appliance connectors, shut-off valves, the meter connection and fittings behind the stove, dryer, water heater and furnace are common spots. Buried yard lines to pool heaters, fire pits and barbecues can also leak.

Older homes, like many near Historic Murrieta, may still have older steel lines or connectors that wear out. Larger lots in Los Alamos Hills often have long buried runs out to outdoor kitchens and pool equipment.

Have a leak? Don’t wait for it to get worse.

Our technicians are standing by 24/7 with the equipment to find your leak fast. No unnecessary digging, no guesswork.

Call Now: (951) 299-3473 Request a Callback

Is a faint gas smell an emergency?

Treat any gas smell as serious. A faint smell near the stove right after a burner is lit can be normal, but a smell that stays, grows stronger or appears with no appliance running needs action. If in doubt, leave and call. It is always better to be safe.

A carbon monoxide alarm is also a must in any home with gas appliances. Carbon monoxide has no smell, so the alarm is your only warning.

How do professionals find a gas leak?

A technician uses an electronic gas detector to sniff along lines and fittings, a pressure test to confirm whether the system holds gas, and a bubble solution on joints to show the exact leak. Buried lines may need a pressure test by section to narrow down the problem area.

After the leak is found, it can be repaired and the system tested again before service is restored. See our leak repair services for the next step.

How much does gas leak detection cost in Murrieta?

A gas leak detection visit in Murrieta costs about $150 to $400. Pressure and tracer gas testing runs about $250 to $600. Fixing a small fitting or valve is often about $200 to $800, while a buried gas line section can cost $1,000 to $3,500. Your price is confirmed before work begins.

Approx. costs (estimates for planning only)
Service	Approx. cost
Gas leak detection visit	$150 to $400
Pressure and tracer gas testing	$250 to $600
Repair of a small fitting or valve	$200 to $800
Repair of a buried gas line section	$1,000 to $3,500

How can I prevent gas leaks?

Have gas appliances and lines checked when you move in, after a remodel and when appliances are moved or replaced. Replace old flexible connectors, keep the area around the meter clear, and call 811 before you dig in the yard so buried gas lines are marked first.

Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home.
Do not move a stove or dryer without checking the connector.
Know where your gas meter shut-off is, but only use it if it is safe.

Frequently asked questions

Who do I call first if I smell gas?

Leave the home, then call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 from a safe distance. Call us after the utility confirms the immediate danger has passed.

Can I find a gas leak with soapy water?

A pro may use a bubble solution on joints, but only after the area is safe. If you smell gas, do not search for the leak yourself.

Does a gas leak always smell?

Not always. Small leaks outdoors or underground may not be noticed. Dead plants or a rising gas bill can be the only clues.

Will SoCalGas fix a leak inside my house?

The utility handles its meter and supply line and will shut off service if needed. Leaks in house piping and appliances are usually the owner's to repair.

Prices are approximate estimates for planning. Your final price depends on your property and is confirmed before work begins.

Where can I get help with this in Murrieta?

Murrieta Leak Pros offers Gas Leak Detection, Leak Repair & Trenchless Pipe Repair, Water Leak Detection. We serve every Murrieta neighborhood:

We also serve Temecula, Menifee, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, French Valley, Canyon Lake, Hemet and Sun City. See all service areas →

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Our technicians are standing by 24/7 with the equipment to find your leak fast. No unnecessary digging, no guesswork.

Call Now: (951) 299-3473 Request a Callback

Gas Leak Warning Signs and What Murrieta Homeowners Should Do

What are the warning signs of a gas leak?

What should I do if I smell gas?

Where do gas leaks happen in a home?

Have a leak? Don’t wait for it to get worse.

Is a faint gas smell an emergency?

How do professionals find a gas leak?

How much does gas leak detection cost in Murrieta?

How can I prevent gas leaks?

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get help with this in Murrieta?

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