Gas Leak Detection in Hickory, NC
A gas leak is one of the few plumbing problems that is a genuine safety emergency. If you smell gas, your first job is to get out safely, not to investigate. Once it is safe, we find the leak and fix it the right way.
Plumbing Hickory, NC provides licensed gas leak detection and repair across Hickory and Catawba County. We locate leaks precisely, repair them to code, and confirm your system is safe. Call (828) 742-8939. If you smell gas right now, read the safety steps below first.
If you smell gas right now, do this first
Safety comes before everything else. If you smell gas or suspect a leak:
- Leave the home immediately. Get everyone and all pets outside and away from the building.
- Do not touch anything electrical. Do not flip light switches, unplug anything, or use appliances.
- Do not use a phone inside. Do not light a match, candle, lighter, or stove.
- Do not try to find the leak yourself.
- Do not start a car in an attached garage.
- Once safely outside and away, call 911 and your natural gas utility from a safe distance.
- After the utility makes the area safe, call us to locate and repair the leak.
We say this clearly because it matters: finding and fixing a gas leak is a licensed professional’s job, not a homeowner’s. This page explains how we help, not how to handle a live leak yourself.
How do I know if I have a gas leak?
Gas leaks give warning signs across your senses. Natural gas and propane are odorless on their own, so an odorant that smells like rotten eggs is added so you can detect them.
Smell
A rotten egg or sulfur smell is the classic sign
Sound
A hissing or whistling sound near a gas line or appliance
Sight
- A damaged connection or line
- Dead or dying plants or grass over an underground gas line
- A dust or dirt cloud blowing near a gas line outside
- Bubbles in standing water near a line
Physical symptoms
- Headaches, dizziness, nausea, or fatigue that improve when you leave the home
- These can signal a leak or carbon monoxide, and should be taken seriously
If you notice any of these, treat it as a potential emergency, use the safety steps above, then call us to detect and repair.
What causes gas leaks?
Understanding the causes helps explain why professional detection matters.
How we detect gas leaks
Once the utility has made the area safe, we locate the leak precisely with professional tools, so the repair is targeted and complete.
Pinpointing the leak is critical, because a gas system has to be confirmed fully sealed before it is safe to use again. We do not guess with gas.
Our gas leak detection and repair process
Safety Clearance
We confirm the area is safe to work in, coordinating with the utility as needed.
Repair
We repair the line or connection to North Carolina code.
Locate Leak
We test the system and locate the leak precisely.
Pressure Test
We pressure test the entire system to confirm there are no remaining leaks.
Price & Explain
We explain what we found and give you an upfront price for the repair.
Inspection
We coordinate any required inspection so the system is signed off as safe.
Trusted by Homeowners & Businesses Across Hickory
Carbon monoxide and gas safety
A gas leak is not the only gas-related danger. Incomplete combustion in a gas appliance can produce carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas that is dangerous and hard to detect without an alarm. We strongly recommend working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas, in addition to keeping gas appliances properly maintained. If your CO alarm sounds, treat it like a gas emergency: get out and call 911.
Local factors for gas leaks in Hickory
- Older homes. In the historic districts and older neighborhoods, aging gas lines and connections are more likely to develop leaks and are worth inspecting, especially before adding an appliance.
- Propane properties. Homes on propane in the outlying parts of Catawba County, including areas like Sherrills Ford and Mountain View, have their own connections and tanks to inspect and maintain.
- Appliance upgrades. Adding or replacing gas appliances, or upgrading to a tankless water heater, is a common point for connection issues, which we test after any work.
- Older connections. Worn shutoff valves and old flexible connectors are frequent leak points we check.
When to schedule gas leak detection (not an emergency)
Beyond an active leak, it is smart to have your gas system checked:
- Before buying an older home
- After adding or replacing a gas appliance
- If your gas bill has risen with no clear reason
- If a gas appliance is not working properly
- Periodically on an older home with original gas lines
A proactive inspection catches small problems before they become dangerous.
What does gas leak detection cost in Hickory?
Professional gas leak detection is typically a diagnostic service, and the repair depends on the location and cause of the leak.
A simple connection repair is on the lower end, while a damaged or corroded line costs more.
The pressure testing that confirms the system is safe is part of a proper job.
Emergency and after-hours service carries an added fee, and safety comes first regardless.
Why homeowners trust us with gas leaks
- Licensed, bonded, and insured, working to North Carolina code
- We locate leaks precisely and confirm the system is sealed
- Safety-first, we coordinate with the utility and never cut corners
- Every repair is pressure tested
- Honest, upfront pricing on the repair
- Local knowledge of older homes and propane properties
You can verify any North Carolina plumbing license at nclicensing.org. With gas, verifying your contractor is genuinely worth it, and we welcome it.
Areas we serve
Smell gas? Get safe first, then call us.
Leave the home and call 911 and your utility. Once it is safe, call a local, licensed plumber to find and fix the leak. Call (828) 742-8939 or email info@plumbinghickory.com.