Who Do You Call for a Gas Leak?
Evacuate first — then call from outside, in this order. Call 911 if the smell is strong or anyone feels sick. Call your gas utility's 24/7 emergency line either way; in the Frederick MD area, that number is staffed around the clock and the response is free. The utility shuts off the gas and makes the house safe. Then a licensed contractor repairs the leaking line — the utility won't.
Who to call for a gas leak, by situation
| Situation | Call first | What they do |
|---|---|---|
| Strong gas smell, hissing, or anyone sick | 911, from outside | Fire crews secure the scene with the utility |
| Any suspected leak, even a mild smell | Gas utility 24/7 emergency line | Shuts off gas, tests air, locates the leak — free |
| Smell outside near the meter or street | Gas utility emergency line | Sends a crew for the utility-side line |
| Utility shut gas off and cleared the house | Licensed HVAC or plumbing contractor | Repairs and pressure-tests the house-side line |
| Pilots out after service is restored | The contractor or utility relight service | Relights and checks each appliance |
| Recurring faint whiffs, no smell now | Contractor for a scheduled leak check | Tests lines before it becomes an emergency |
Why the utility comes before any contractor
The gas utility exists for exactly this call. Its line is answered 24/7, the response is free, and the crew has one job: make the property safe. They shut off gas at the meter, test the air, and pinpoint the leak. No contractor should enter before that. If the smell is strong, 911 comes first — fire crews handle scene safety.
What the utility won't do is fix your side of the system; their job ends at the meter. A cracked fitting behind the stove or a corroded furnace line stays shut off until someone licensed repairs and tests it. That's the moment to call gas leak service in Frederick: after the danger is contained, before you're stuck without heat or hot water.
- Save the utility's emergency number in your phone now, not during a leak.
- The utility response is free — never hesitate over cost.
- Tell the crew what you smelled, where, and when.
What the repair call looks like
Once the utility tags the leak, the contractor's job is defined: repair the failed section, pressure-test the line, and relight appliances. Ask whether the tech is licensed for gas work in Maryland — it should be a quick yes. The visit should end with every gas appliance checked.
The calls only work from the right place. Phones and switches inside a gas-filled house can spark — that's why you leave the house before calling anyone. And the smell that starts this chain is designed to be noticed: the rotten-egg odor and other first signs show up early, so act early.
- Confirm the contractor holds a Maryland license for gas work.
- A proper repair ends with a pressure test, not just a new fitting.
- Keep the utility's leak report — insurers may ask for it.
Questions homeowners ask next
Who Do You Call for a Gas Leak?
Evacuate, then call from outside: 911 if the smell is strong, then your gas utility's 24/7 emergency line — they shut off gas and test the air free. A licensed contractor repairs the house-side line after clearance.
Does the gas company charge to check a leak?
No. Utility emergency response — shutoff, air testing, locating the leak — is free. Repairing house-side lines or appliances is not covered; that's a licensed contractor's job and the homeowner's cost.
Can my HVAC company come before the gas utility?
No. The utility makes the property safe first — shutoff and air testing come before any repair. A reputable contractor schedules the repair for after clearance.