Gas is used every day in factories, commercial buildings, and offices to keep operations running in heating systems, machines, equipment, you name it. It’s essential, but it’s not harmless.
If it leaks, it can poison the air, damage your building, and even lead to a fatal explosion if there’s a spark nearby. And this doesn’t even need to be a major rupture in a pipe. It could be something as simple as a worn-out seal or a tiny crack in a valve.
Now, let’s get into the slow gas leak symptoms that people often overlook. These are the signs that something is off, but not everyone connects the dots right away.
Strange Smell
You’ve probably heard that gas smells like rotten eggs. But here’s what a lot of people don’t know: gas doesn’t naturally smell like anything. It’s actually odorless. The smell comes from a chemical called mercaptan that gas companies add on purpose. It’s their way of giving you a clue when there’s danger nearby.
So, if you suddenly walk into a room and catch a whiff of something that smells like rotten eggs, sewage, or even a skunk, don’t ignore it. It might not stay around for long either.
Sometimes the smell comes and goes, especially if the gas is spreading. But just because the smell fades doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. It might just mean the gas has moved to a different part of the building.
And no, your imagination isn’t playing tricks on you. Even a faint, unusual smell could be your only early warning.
Hissing Sound
In busy industrial spaces or noisy commercial buildings, it’s easy to miss something as subtle as a faint hissing sound. But that tiny sound might be one of the clearest signs that gas is leaking under pressure. It could come from near a pipe, a gas-powered appliance, or even a wall where lines are hidden.
Try this if you’re suspicious: turn off nearby machines or fans and just listen. If you still hear a soft hiss or even a whooshing sound, that’s not just the building settling. That could be gas escaping, and the longer it does, the more dangerous the situation becomes.
Plants Dying for No Good Reason
Dead or struggling plants, both inside and outside, can be a big red flag. If you’ve been taking care of your plants, watering them, giving them light, and they still start to wilt, turn yellow, or die off in patches, look closer.
Gas can leak into the soil and choke out the oxygen that roots need to survive. So, when outdoor plants near pipelines or indoor plants near appliances begin to suffer with no clear reason (like drought or bugs), it might be the gas talking.
Incredibly High Gas Bill
Sometimes, you might get your monthly gas bill, and it’s way higher than usual. But you haven’t changed your usage, and no new equipment has been installed. A slow gas leak steadily lets expensive fuel escape into thin air. Over time, even a small leak adds up. That’s when your wallet is trying to alert you.
Pipes That Look Frosty
Here’s something that seems weird at first glance: frost or condensation on your gas pipes when the weather isn’t even cold. This happens because when gas escapes under pressure, it can cool down the surface around the leak. That leads to visible ice or moisture on pipes, joints, or valves.
If you spot random cold spots or actual frost buildup in an otherwise warm room, don’t brush it off as humidity or bad insulation. It could be the gas creating a chill before things heat up in the worst way.
Physical Symptoms
You might not realize it, but gas leaks can literally make people sick. Not just in theory, but physically, noticeably sick. Because gas reduces the amount of oxygen in the air, people exposed to it can start feeling symptoms that seem like the flu but don’t quite add up.
Things like dizziness, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, mood swings, headaches, and even nosebleeds can all be related to gas exposure. If several people in the building are feeling off, or if these symptoms come and go based on location, it’s time to take that seriously.
And let’s not forget about pets. They’re often affected before humans because they’re smaller and more sensitive. If your dog or cat suddenly becomes tired, disoriented, starts vomiting, or avoids certain areas, they might be sensing something dangerous.
Bubbling Water
This one happens outside, but it’s just as important. If there’s a gas leak underground, it can move through the soil and come up through water. So if you see bubbles rising in puddles or wet areas around your property, that’s not just nature doing its thing. That’s gas pushing up through the ground.
This is especially common in commercial buildings with underground piping. If bubbles appear in standing water, especially near where gas lines run, take action fast.
Article and permission to publish here provided by Paul Bennet. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on July 28, 2025.
Cover image and permission to publish here provided by Paul Bennet.