Quick answer
If you smell rotten eggs near a gas appliance, hear hissing, or see dead vegetation along an outdoor line, leave the area, avoid operating any switches or flames, get everyone out, then call your utility's emergency line from a safe distance — afterward, a licensed plumber makes the repair. Washington gas work requires permits and licensed installers.
- Rotten-egg odor, hissing, or dead vegetation near a line means leave and call the utility first.
- Don't flip switches, light flames, or use your phone inside a suspected leak area.
- All gas work in Washington requires permits and licensed installers — never DIY.
- Know your meter shutoff location and how to use it before you ever need it.
In a suspected leak right now
If you smell that distinctive rotten-egg odor (added to natural gas as a warning), hear hissing near a line or appliance, or feel lightheaded, get everyone and pets out of the house immediately. Don't operate light switches, appliances, garage doors, or phones inside — any spark is a risk. From a safe distance outdoors, call your utility's emergency number, then call a licensed plumber for the repair.
Before adding or moving gas appliances
Range and cooktop conversions, gas fireplace inserts, outdoor kitchens and fire pits, pool heaters, and standby-generator fuel lines all require correct line sizing and permit-aware installation. Undersized lines starve appliances and create hazards. Planning these additions with a licensed plumber up front ensures the gas supply can actually carry the new load safely and legally.
When buying or selling a home
Real estate transactions are a common time gas issues surface — an inspector flags undocumented work, an unpermitted addition, or a corroded line. Sorting out gas line permits, testing, and any needed repairs before closing avoids deals stalling and protects buyer and seller alike. Eco can inspect, test, and bring lines up to code with proper documentation.
How it works
Licensed gas work
In Washington, gas piping must be installed by licensed professionals under permit. Eco pulls the required permits, sizes the line for the connected load, installs to code, pressure-tests the system to verify there are no leaks, and coordinates the jurisdiction's inspection. This paper trail isn't bureaucracy for its own sake — it's what proves the work is safe and keeps insurance and resale clean.
Knowing your shutoffs
Every homeowner should know where the main gas shutoff at the meter is and how to turn it off — usually a quarter-turn on the valve with a wrench. Individual appliances also have their own shutoff valves. Locating these before an emergency, and keeping a wrench nearby if your meter needs one, means you can stop the flow quickly if a leak or disaster strikes.
Why DIY gas work is off-limits
Gas work carries fire, explosion, and carbon-monoxide risks that don't tolerate guesswork, and in Washington unlicensed gas work is illegal as well as dangerous. Improper joints, undersized pipe, missing pressure tests, or skipped inspections can leak slowly for months. The cost of doing it right with a licensed plumber is small against the consequences of getting it wrong.
Key terms and context
This guide is written for plumbing decisions in the Puget Sound. It uses the same terminology you'll hear from inspectors, technicians, and permit offices.
Unpermitted alterations
DIY or handyman gas changes without permits routinely lead to failed inspections, denied insurance claims after an incident, and undetected leak risk. The problems often surface at the worst moment — during a home sale, when an inspector finds undocumented work and the deal stalls until it's corrected and re-permitted by a licensed plumber.
Ignoring early warning signs
A faint gas smell that 'comes and goes,' a pilot light that won't stay lit, soot around an appliance, or unexplained headaches indoors can signal a leak or combustion problem. Brushing these off is dangerous. Treat any persistent gas odor or symptom as urgent: ventilate, leave if it's strong, and get it professionally checked rather than waiting.
How we build this guidance
- Safety steps follow utility emergency guidance and Washington (WAC) gas-licensing rules.
- Eco holds the required Washington licensing and pulls permits with pressure-testing and inspection.
- We document permitted, inspected gas work so it holds up at resale and with insurers.
Methodology: Safety steps align with utility emergency guidance and WAC licensing rules; all gas work is permitted, pressure-tested, and inspected.
Last updated: 2026-06-08
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Common questions
Who do I call for a gas leak?
Evacuate everyone first, then call your utility's emergency number from a safe distance — Puget Sound Energy or Cascade Natural Gas, depending on your area. They respond to make the area safe. After they've cleared it, call a licensed plumber like Eco to locate and repair the line and restore service.
Why does natural gas smell like rotten eggs?
Natural gas is naturally odorless, so utilities add a sulfur-like odorant called mercaptan specifically so leaks are noticeable. That rotten-egg smell is your warning system. If you smell it near an appliance or line, treat it seriously — ventilate, leave if it's strong, and call your utility's emergency line.
Do I really need a permit to add a gas line?
Yes. Washington requires permits and licensed installers for gas piping work, including adding or extending a line for a range, fireplace, or generator. Permitting includes pressure testing and inspection that verify the work is safe. Unpermitted gas work can void insurance and cause problems at resale.
Can I convert my electric range to gas myself?
No — running the gas line for a conversion is licensed, permitted work in Washington, and it must be correctly sized and pressure-tested. Beyond the legal requirement, improper connections risk leaks. Eco handles the line, permit, and testing; you can then have the appliance connected safely and legally.
How do I shut off my gas in an emergency?
The main shutoff is at your gas meter, typically a valve that turns a quarter-turn with a wrench to stop the flow. Individual appliances have their own shutoff valves too. Locate these now and keep a wrench handy, but if you smell a strong leak, leave first and let the utility handle it.