CHARLOTTE – October 27, 2026 -- If you smell natural gas, leave immediately and call Piedmont Natural Gas at 800.752.7504 or 911 from somewhere safe. The utility issued the reminder as temperatures fall and furnaces switch on.
Mercaptan gives odorless gas a rotten-egg smell
Natural gas has no smell on its own. Utilities inject an odorant called mercaptan, which smells like rotten eggs, so leaks are easy to notice.
Leaks can also be seen and heard
Smell is not the only warning sign. Piedmont says leaks can cause bubbling water, blowing dirt or dead plants. Sinkholes or exposed pipe may also appear, and a hissing sound can come from near a gas line or meter.
Three steps to take if you suspect a leak
- Leave the area immediately.
- Call Piedmont at 800.752.7504, or call 911 from a neighbor's house or another spot away from the gas smell.
- Stay away until a Piedmont technician or emergency responder says the area is safe.
Piedmont president Emily Henson said recognizing the signs lets leaks be handled quickly and safely.
Gas detectors add a second layer of warning
Natural gas detectors are sold at major retailers and home improvement stores. They sound an alarm when gas levels in the area point to a leak.
If an alarm goes off, stop what you are doing and get as far from the smell as possible. Then call 911 or Piedmont at 800.752.7504.