Annual Probability of a Home Natural Gas Leak

Approximately 73 million US homes use natural gas, and about 2% experience a detectable gas leak in any given year. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) reports that gas distribution incidents cause approximately 17 deaths, 286 injuries, and $208 million in property damage annually.

Natural gas leaks in homes most commonly originate from aging pipes and connections, faulty appliances (stoves, furnaces, water heaters), damaged gas lines (from construction, earthquakes, or ground movement), and improper installation or maintenance. Natural gas is odorless, but utility companies add mercaptan (a sulfur compound) to give it a distinctive "rotten egg" smell for safety.

If you smell gas, you should immediately leave the building (without turning light switches on or off), call 911 and your gas company from outside, and avoid any ignition sources. Natural gas detectors (similar to CO detectors) are available for $20-$50 but are not required by most building codes. Regular maintenance of gas appliances, having a qualified technician check connections, and knowing where your gas shut-off valve is located are key prevention measures. Gas utilities perform regular leak surveys of distribution mains, but service lines (from the main to your home) are the homeowner's responsibility.