I recently moved into a new home and for the first time, I'm surrounded by gas appliances including a water heater, a heating system, and a dryer in the laundry room. Every time I open the laundry room door, I'm hit with a strong gas smell. Even though the guy who installed the heating system checked for leaks and couldn't find any, I'm concerned. Is it common to have such a strong gas smell around these appliances in a closed space?
4 Answers
From my experience, when I first moved in, I noticed a slight gas smell near my washer and dryer. Initially, I thought it was in my head since the inspector didn't mention anything. But after having the dryer vent cleaned, the technician found a small leak at the connection. They sealed it up, and the smell went away. Definitely worth a look – maybe you can get the gas company to send someone to check it out.
You should absolutely never smell gas in your home; it’s super serious. I know someone whose house blew up due to a gas leak, so this isn’t just a minor issue. If you smell gas, leave immediately and call your gas company’s emergency number. If they aren’t quick to respond, you should consider hiring a plumber for an emergency visit. While you wait, if you choose to stay, open all your windows and avoid using any appliances.
Nope, that’s definitely not normal! If you’re smelling gas, it’s critical to take it seriously. You could have a leak somewhere, and even a small one can be dangerous. Don’t wait! Shut off the gas main and get out of there. Call the fire department or your local gas company immediately.
Is your gas detector going off? If you have one, it should alert you to any leaks. Make sure it’s functioning!

That sounds like solid advice! The gas company will want to help you out and check for any leaks, so don’t hesitate to call them.