What Does Propane Smell Like?

Written on: January 29, 2024

How to Recognize a Gas Leak and More Propane Safety Tips

Propane leaks are rare, but they can happen. They can be caused by a runout or near-runout, when pressure changes in lines cause joint compound at connections to contract, or by incorrectly installed equipment, among other things.

Propane is naturally odorless, so in order to make it easy to detect leaking gas, propane and natural gas distributors use an additive called mercaptan to give it a distinctive smell. Most people describe it as smelling like rotten eggs, skunk or dead animal.

Mercaptan is a natural gas that is produced by decaying plants, animals and humans (fun fact—it’s one of the compounds responsible for bad breath!). One reason it’s used in propane and natural gas is that the human nose can detect it in extremely small quantities.

Knowing what to do if you smell gas can help ensure the situation is resolved safely and quickly.

Recognizing a Gas Leak

Make sure everyone in your home can recognize the odor. If you smell gas:

• Leave the area immediately
• Avoid all flames or sparks—including lights, appliances, phones or cell phones—which could ignite the gas and trigger an explosion
• If you can, shut off the gas at the main valve on your tank—turn the valve clockwise
• Call us, or 911 from a safe area.
• Stay away until help arrives

Propane Safety Dos and Don’ts

• Don’t store cleaning fluids and flammable substances near your propane tanks.
• Do clean furnace filters regularly.
• Don’t let your tanks hit empty. The loss of pressure can lead to a variety of problems and will require pressure tests before refilling.
• Do set up automatic delivery to avoid running out of gas.
• Don’t attempt to relight a pilot light if you smell gas. If you do relight a pilot light yourself, follow manufacturer’s instructions exactly.
• Do call us if a pilot light goes out frequently.
• Do let us know if flames are yellow or you notice a significant amount of soot. Gas flames should be mainly blue when burning correctly.
• Do not turn the gas back on yourself if you have turned off the gas because of a suspected leak.

When & How to Shut Off Your Tank

If you smell gas and suspect a leak, turn off the gas at the tank (if it’s safe to do so). You should also shut off your tank if there has been severe weather, flooding, or a natural disaster and your tank appears to have moved, or if there appears to be damage to the tank or the gas lines. It’s not hard—but it’s important to familiarize yourself with your tank so you know what to do when it’s an emergency.

• Know where the shutoff valve is. Look for a round knob that looks like a small steering wheel near the gauge. That’s your shutoff valve.
• To stop the flow of propane, turn the knob all the way to the right, or clockwise. If you have more than one tank, turn them all off.
• Once you’ve turned off the gas, move away from the area, then call Pico Propane or 911.

If it feels unsafe to turn off the gas, first move a safe distance away and outside and then call for help.

Safety First and Always

Learn more about propane safety and what to do if you smell gas. Your safety is our priority: If you have any questions about this information or any other propane safety issues, contact us.