Home / Services / Gas Leak Detection
Gas Leak Detection and Gas Line Repair in Greenacres, FL
If you smell gas right now, stop reading. Leave the building, then call 911 and your gas utility from outside. Do not flip light switches, unplug anything, use the garage door opener or start a car in the garage.
Once the utility has made the area safe, Star Florida Leak Detection provides gas leak detection and repair in Greenacres, finding and fixing leaks on the gas piping at your property: the lines to your water heater, range, dryer, pool heater and generator. We pressure test the system, pinpoint the leak and repair it under permit.
We handle non-emergency gas leak testing and repair after the utility has made the area safe.
- Licensed Florida plumbing contractor
- Local office in Greenacres
- Pressure tested and documented
- Members of PHCC and the South East Apartment Association
Who to Call for a Gas Leak in Greenacres
A gas smell is an emergency first and a plumbing job second. Here is the right order.
| Situation | Who to call |
|---|---|
| You smell gas, hear hissing or suspect a leak right now | Leave, then call 911 from outside |
| Natural gas service | Your natural gas utility. Florida Public Utilities provides natural gas service in Palm Beach County. Use the emergency number on your gas bill. |
| Propane (tank) service | Your propane supplier, using the emergency number on your tank or bill |
| Utility has made it safe and found or suspects a leak on your piping | A licensed contractor to test and repair your gas piping: (561) 783-8857 |
| Planning to dig in your yard | Florida’s Sunshine 811 system, to have buried gas and other utility lines marked first |
The gas utility is responsible for the gas main and typically the service up to and including the meter. The piping from the meter into your home and to each appliance is usually the property owner’s. When the utility finds a leak on your side, it may shut off service until the piping is repaired and tested.
Signs of a Gas Leak
A rotten egg or sulfur smell
Natural gas and propane have no smell on their own. Suppliers add an odorant that smells like rotten eggs so leaks can be noticed. Never ignore it, even if it seems faint.
Hissing or whistling
A hiss near a gas appliance, the meter or a gas line can mean gas escaping under pressure.
Dead or dying plants over a line
A patch of dead grass or plants along the path of a buried gas line, when everything around it is healthy, can be a sign of a leak.
Bubbles in standing water
Continuous bubbles in a puddle or wet area over a buried line can mean gas escaping underground.
A higher gas bill
A gas bill that rises without any change in use can point to a leak somewhere on the system.
Appliance flames that look wrong
Yellow or orange flames, soot, or a pilot that keeps going out are appliance issues worth checking, and a reason to have the system looked at.
Not everyone can smell the odorant equally well, and the smell can fade in some situations. If you see other signs, treat them seriously even if you cannot smell gas.
Gas Leaks and Carbon Monoxide Are Different Dangers
A gas leak is unburned fuel escaping, which is a fire and explosion hazard, and you can usually smell it. Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of burning fuel, often from an appliance that is not venting or burning properly. It has no smell at all.
That is why a working carbon monoxide alarm matters in any home with fuel-burning appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage. Florida’s building rules require carbon monoxide alarms in newer homes with those features. If your home has gas appliances and no CO alarm, add one near sleeping areas.
If a CO alarm sounds, or anyone has headaches, dizziness or nausea that improve when they leave the house, get everyone outside and call 911.
Where Gas Piping Leaks
Many Greenacres homes are all electric. Homes that do have gas usually have it at a handful of places, and those are where leaks happen.
Appliance connectors
The flexible connectors behind ranges, dryers and water heaters are moved, bent and bumped. They and their fittings are among the most common leak points.
Threaded joints
Fittings where pipe sections join can loosen or corrode over time, especially outdoors and in garages.
Shutoff valves
The appliance shutoff valves can leak at the stem or the fittings.
Pool and spa heaters
Outdoor gas lines to pool heaters are exposed to sun, water and yard work. If the pool itself is losing water, that is a separate problem covered in our pool leak detection guide.
Standby generators
Many South Florida homes added gas or propane generators for hurricane season. The line to the generator is another joint and connector to maintain.
Buried lines
Underground piping to a detached structure, a pool heater or a propane tank can be damaged by digging, roots or corrosion.
How We Find and Fix a Gas Piping Leak
Start after the area is safe
We come out once the utility or supplier has made the area safe. If service was shut off, we work with that in place.
Pressure test the system
We isolate the gas piping and test it under pressure with a gauge. A pressure drop confirms a leak somewhere on the tested section.
Pinpoint the leak
We use a combustible gas detector and a leak detection solution on joints, valves and connectors to find exactly where gas is escaping.
Repair under permit
We replace the failed connector, fitting, valve or section of pipe. Gas piping work generally requires a permit and inspection from the City of Greenacres Building Department.
Retest
We pressure test again to confirm the system holds before service is restored.
Document it
You get a written record of what was found, what was repaired and the test results, for you, your utility and your insurer.
Relighting pilots and restoring gas service may involve your gas utility or propane supplier. We will tell you what applies to your system.
Gas Safety After Hurricanes and Flooding
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Storms bring fallen trees, flooding and a lot of generator use, all of which affect gas systems.
- If gas appliances were underwater, have them inspected before using them again. Flood water can damage controls and burners, and storm damage can also leave hidden water leaks inside walls and ceilings.
- If a tree fell near a gas meter or line, check for the smell of gas and call the utility if there is any doubt.
- Generators must be run outdoors, away from windows and doors, never in a garage. Carbon monoxide from generators is a serious storm-season danger.
- Propane tanks can shift in flooding. If a tank has moved or been damaged, contact your propane supplier before using it.
- Before cleanup digging, remember that gas lines may be buried where you are working, alongside your main water line and sprinkler lines. Sunshine 811 exists to get utility lines marked.
How to Reduce Gas Leak Risk
- Do not move gas appliances yourself without shutting off the gas and checking the connector afterward. Moving a range or dryer is when many connector leaks start.
- Replace old appliance connectors when you replace an appliance. Old connectors are not meant to be reused indefinitely.
- Keep the area around gas appliances clear, especially water heaters and dryers in garages.
- Install and test CO alarms.
- Call 811 before you dig, even for fence posts or landscaping.
- Know where your gas meter and shutoff are, but let responders decide when to use them in an emergency.
Gas in Greenacres Homes
Single-family homes
Gas, where present, often serves a water heater in the garage, a range, a dryer, a pool heater or a generator. Each connection is a potential leak point worth checking.
Condos and apartments
Many attached units are all electric. Where gas is present, shared piping may be the association’s responsibility. Our report shows where the leak is so the right party can act.
Rentals
Landlords need gas leaks handled quickly and documented clearly. As members of the South East Apartment Association, we work with property managers regularly.
Costs and Insurance
We quote the visit on the phone for non-emergency gas leak testing and repair, and give you a written price before any repair. The cost depends on where the leak is, how accessible the piping is, and what needs to be replaced.
Insurance coverage for gas leaks and related damage varies by policy. Keep the utility’s paperwork and our written record of the test and repair. General information, not insurance advice.
Natural Gas or Propane: What Is Different
Natural gas
Delivered through underground mains to a meter at your home. It is lighter than air, so leaked natural gas tends to rise and disperse. The utility owns the system up to the meter and responds to leak calls. In Palm Beach County, that is Florida Public Utilities.
Propane (LP gas)
Stored in a tank on your property, above or below ground, and filled by a supplier. Propane is heavier than air, so it can collect in low areas such as garages and along the ground. Your propane supplier handles the tank, regulator and supply, and responds to tank emergencies.
Both are odorized so leaks can be noticed, and both call for the same first response: get out, then call 911 and the utility or supplier from outside.
What Happens When the Utility Shuts Off Your Gas
When a gas utility responds to a leak and finds it on your side of the meter, it commonly turns off service to protect you, and may lock or tag the meter until the leak is repaired. This is normal and it is for safety.
From there, the usual path is:
- A licensed contractor tests the piping, finds the leak and repairs it.
- The repair is permitted and inspected where required.
- The system is pressure tested again to confirm it holds.
- Service is restored and appliances are relit, which may involve the utility or supplier.
Keep any tag or paperwork the utility leaves. It helps everyone involved understand what was found and what needs to happen before service comes back on.
Gas Appliances: What to Keep an Eye On
Water heater
Check that the area around it is clear and the vent is connected and intact. A pilot that keeps going out, soot, or a yellow flame means it needs service. See water heater leak repair.
Range and oven
Burner flames should be mostly blue. The connector behind the range is a common leak point, especially after the range has been pulled out for cleaning.
Dryer
Gas dryers get moved for cleaning and repairs, which stresses the connector. Keep the lint trap and vent clean for both safety and efficiency.
Pool and spa heater
Outdoor units and their gas lines are exposed to sun, rain and yard equipment. Have the line and connections checked if you notice a smell near the pool equipment.
Standby generator
Generators that run on natural gas or propane should be serviced on schedule, including the fuel connection. Test runs are a good time to notice any smell.
Grills and outdoor kitchens
Built-in grills on a home gas line have their own connectors and valves. Portable propane grills use a separate tank and hose that should be inspected before use.
Smelling Gas Outside Your Home
A gas smell outside can come from your meter area, a buried line on your property, a neighbor’s line or a utility main in the street. It is still a reason to act.
- Move away from the smell, and keep others away.
- Do not use anything that could spark near the area, including lawn equipment and vehicles.
- Call 911 and the gas utility from a safe distance, and tell them where the smell is strongest.
- Do not try to dig to find a buried leak.
If the utility finds the leak is on the piping between your meter and your house or appliances, that is where we come in, after the area is safe.
Buried Gas Lines and Yard Projects
Many gas leaks on residential property start with a shovel. Fence posts, new landscaping, irrigation work, pavers and pool projects all involve digging in the same strip of yard where gas, water, electric and communication lines run.
Florida’s Sunshine 811 system is how you get buried utility lines located and marked before digging. Utility-owned lines are marked by the utilities. Private lines on your property, such as a gas line from the meter to a pool heater or detached building, may not be marked by them, so it helps to know where yours run.
If you do hit a gas line, even a small nick, leave the area and call 911 and the gas utility. Do not try to cover it or repair it yourself.
Common Gas Leak Myths
“It is a faint smell, so it is probably nothing.”
A faint smell can still mean a leak, and the odor can seem weaker in some situations. Any gas smell is worth leaving the building and calling for help.
“I will just find it with a lighter.”
Never use a flame to look for a gas leak. Professionals use gas detectors and leak detection solutions for a reason.
“My house is all electric, so I do not need a CO alarm.”
An attached garage with a car, or a portable generator used after a storm, can still create carbon monoxide risk. An alarm is inexpensive protection.
“I can open the windows and wait it out.”
Ventilation does not fix the leak, and staying inside keeps you in danger. Leave first, then let responders decide what happens next.
What to Expect When We Come Out
Our visit happens after any emergency has been handled and the utility or supplier has made the area safe. We start by asking what was found, whether service is off, and which appliances are on the system. Then we test the piping under pressure, pinpoint the leak and show you where it is and why it failed.
You get a written price before we repair anything. Once the repair is made, we test again to confirm the system holds, and we coordinate the permit and inspection where required. You leave with a written record of the leak, the repair and the test results, which is useful for the utility, your insurer and your own records.
If the problem turns out to be an appliance rather than the piping, such as a failed control on a water heater or range, we will tell you and point you to the right service.
Helpful guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I smell gas in my house?
Leave the building immediately with everyone, including pets. Do not use switches, outlets, phones or anything that could spark inside. From outside, call 911 and your gas utility or propane supplier. Do not go back in until responders say it is safe.
Who provides natural gas in Greenacres?
Florida Public Utilities provides natural gas service in Palm Beach County. Many Greenacres homes are all electric, and some use propane from a supplier. Use the emergency number on your gas bill or tank.
What does a gas leak smell like?
Natural gas and propane have an odorant added that smells like rotten eggs or sulfur. Not everyone smells it equally well, so treat other signs like hissing or dead plants over a line seriously too.
Can carbon monoxide be detected by smell?
No. Carbon monoxide has no smell. That is why homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages need working carbon monoxide alarms.
Who repairs a gas leak on my side of the meter?
The piping from the meter into your home and to your appliances is usually the property owner’s responsibility and is repaired by a licensed contractor after the utility has made the area safe.
How do you find a gas line leak?
We pressure test the gas piping with a gauge, then pinpoint the leak with a combustible gas detector and leak detection solution on joints, valves and connectors.
Do I need a permit for gas line repair in Greenacres?
Gas piping work generally requires a permit and inspection from the City of Greenacres Building Department. We handle it.
Is it safe to use a generator after a hurricane?
Only outdoors, away from windows and doors, and never in a garage. Generators produce carbon monoxide, which is a serious danger during storm season.
Should I call 811 before digging in my yard?
Yes. Florida’s Sunshine 811 system exists to have buried gas and other utility lines marked before you dig, even for small projects like fence posts.
Can I move my gas dryer or range myself?
Moving gas appliances can damage the connector. If you move one, the gas should be shut off first and the connection checked for leaks afterward. Old connectors should be replaced rather than reused.
Question not answered here? Call (561) 783-8857 and ask. Talking it through costs nothing.
Related Leak Services in Greenacres
Gas Line Testing and Repair, After It Is Safe
If you smell gas, leave and call 911 first. For testing and repair of your gas piping once the area is safe, call us and we will quote the visit before we come out.
Star Florida Leak Detection, 4021 S 57th Ave #105, Greenacres, FL 33463. Member of PHCC and the South East Apartment Association. Last updated September 2026.