Propane Leaks: What’s That Smell?

At Roach Energy, your safety is always our priority.

That’s why we follow the highest safety standards for all of your propane deliveries, and why we invest in ongoing training to keep our technicians up to date in the latest technologies and safety protocols available.

As we get closer to heating season, it’s a good idea to take a little refresher course in basic propane safety. If you have any questions about this information or any other propane safety issues, contact us.

Propane safety basics

1. Make sure all members of your house know the smell of a propane leak.

Remember, propane smells like rotten eggs or a skunk’s spray (actually propane is odorless, but propane manufacturers add ethyl mercaptan – an odorant – to help you detect propane leaks). Make sure everyone in the house knows that odor – and what to do if they smell it (see below).

2. Know what to do if you smell a propane leak

If you detect a propane leak,

Extinguish all smoking materials and any open flames or other sources of ignition. Get everyone out of the building, including pets.
Move away without using any electric switches, appliances, thermostats or telephones.
If it is safe to do so, close the gas shutoff valve on the propane tank or cylinder.
Call us or your local fire department from a mobile phone or a neighbor’s telephone.
Even if you do not continue to smell propane, do not open or turn on the propane supply valve or re-enter the building: let a qualified propane service technician or emergency personnel check for escaped propane.
Have a properly trained propane service technician repair the leak. The technician should also check your gas appliances and relight any appliance pilots.
Return to your home only when the service technician or emergency responder indicates that it is safe to do so.

3. Beware of – and be prepared for – propane odor loss

Sometimes, conditions can make it harder to pick up propane’s telltale odor. Odor loss can result from:

Excessive air, water, or rust in your propane tank
An underground propane leak (propane’s odor diffuses in soil)
Odor “sticking” to the inside of the propane distribution pipes

Even something as simple as having a cold can prevent you from smelling a propane leak.

With all this in mind, it is critical to install propane leak detectors as directed by local and regional building codes. Propane gas detectors are inexpensive and easy to install – simply follow manufacturer’s instructions for placement and maintenance.

Your safety is always our priority at Roach Energy! If you have any other questions about propane safety or propane delivery in West Virginia or western Maryland, contact us today.