You step outside and catch a smell like rotten eggs near your gas meter. It stops you in your tracks. That smell is not an accident. Gas companies add a chemical called mercaptan to natural gas so you can detect it. If you smell it near your meter, something nearby is releasing gas — and that needs attention right away.
If you are wondering what if I smell gas outside near my meter, you are not alone. Arlington homeowners call us with this exact situation regularly. Some leaks belong to the gas utility. Others start on your property — and those are yours to address. Knowing the difference can save you time, stress, and money.
Below, we cover what that smell actually means, the steps to take right away, and why the utility's visit may not be the last call you need to make.
If you smell gas outside near your meter, follow these steps:
Do not re-enter your home until a licensed technician tells you it is safe.
If the smell is strong or coming from inside your home, do not wait. Leave immediately and call from outside.
Natural gas has no smell on its own. Gas utilities add a chemical called mercaptan so you can detect a leak before it becomes dangerous. That rotten egg odor is your warning signal — and it should never be ignored.
A gas meter has a regulator that controls pressure flowing into your home. At times, it can release small bursts of gas to manage pressure buildup. This can cause a brief, faint smell near the meter. If the smell is short and faint, it may be normal meter activity.
If the smell is constant, strong, or getting worse, that is not normal. A persistent odor near your meter points to a leak at the regulator, the riser pipe, a fitting, or the yard line running to your home.
North Texas weather can also play a role. Cold nights with temperature inversions can trap gas odor close to the ground — even from a small release. If you are unsure, treat it as a real leak and act accordingly.
Likely Normal | Signs of a Real Leak |
Brief, faint smell near meter | Constant or strong odor |
Smell disappears quickly | Smell gets worse over time |
No other symptoms | Dead grass near meter or yard line |
Cold night, fades by morning | Hissing sound near meter or pipes |
Smelling gas outside your home can feel alarming. Staying calm and following the right steps keeps you and your family safe. Do not try to find the leak yourself.
Here is what to do right away:
If the smell is strong or you notice it inside your home, do not stop to gather belongings. Leave immediately and call from outside.
Many Arlington homeowners assume the gas utility covers everything. That is not the case. There is a clear line between what the utility owns and what falls on the homeowner.
According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, your gas utility owns and maintains the line from the street main to your meter — everything beyond the meter is the homeowner's responsibility. This includes the service line running underground from the street and the meter itself. If there is a leak on their side, they will fix it at no cost to you.
Everything beyond the meter is your responsibility. This includes:
This is where we come in. Baker Brothers inspects the complete gas path from your meter to every connected appliance. If your utility cleared the meter but you still smell gas, the source is likely in the lines or connections on your side.
Gas Utility Responsibility | Homeowner Responsibility |
Street main to meter | Yard line to home |
Service line underground | Interior gas lines |
Meter and regulator | Appliance connections |
Their side of the meter | Water heaters, furnaces, stoves |
Our Arlington team handles inspections on the homeowner side — 24/7, including weekends and holidays. If the utility visit did not solve the problem, call us at (817) 595-0116.
Knowing where leaks happen most often helps you describe what you are seeing when you call for help. Here are the most common outdoor gas leak locations we find on Arlington properties.
Gas Riser The gas riser is the pipe that comes up from the ground and connects to your meter. Many Arlington homes built in the 1980s and 1990s have older metal risers. Over time, metal corrodes and develops thin spots where gas can escape.
Yard Line The yard line runs underground from your meter to your home's foundation. North Texas clay soil shifts with heat and moisture. That movement puts stress on underground pipes and can open small cracks over time.
Meter Regulator The regulator sits near your meter and controls gas pressure entering your home. If the diaphragm inside wears out, gas can escape through the vent. A constant smell near the regulator is a sign this needs professional attention.
Pipe Joints and Fittings Any visible connection point on your outdoor gas lines can develop a slow leak. Fittings that were not properly sealed at installation or have loosened over time are common culprits.
Dead or Yellowing Grass A circular patch of dead or yellowing grass near your meter or along the path of your yard line is a real visual sign of an underground gas leak. Gas displaces oxygen in the soil and kills grass from the roots up.
If you notice any of these signs on your Arlington property, do not wait. Call Baker Brothers for a full inspection before the problem gets worse.
If your gas utility cleared the meter but the smell is still there, that is your signal to call us. The leak is likely in the lines or connections on your side of the meter — and those require a licensed plumber in Arlingotn, TX to inspect.
Call Baker Brothers when:
Your utility found no leak but the gas smell remains
You want a full inspection of your home's complete gas system
You suspect an appliance connection is the source of the smell
You notice dead grass near your meter or along your yard line
You hear a hissing sound near any outdoor gas line or fitting
Our Arlington team inspects the complete gas path — from your meter to every connected appliance. This includes supply lines, connection fittings, water heaters, furnaces, stoves, dryers, fireplaces, and outdoor grills. We do not stop at the obvious spots.
Baker Brothers has been serving North Texas since 1945. Our Arlington technicians know the soil conditions, the home construction eras, and the common failure points in Mid-Cities properties. We arrive prepared, and we give you answers — not guesses.
Our Arlington location holds a 4.8-star Google rating from 1,634+ reviews. Every technician is state-licensed and background-checked before they step onto your property.
Gas leaks do not wait for business hours. Neither do we. Baker Brothers offers 24/7 emergency gas leak detection in Arlington, including weekends and holidays.
Call If your gas utility cleared the meter but the smell is still there, that is your signal to call us. The leak is likely in the lines or connections on your side of the meter — and those require a licensed plumber to inspect.
Call Baker Brothers when:
Our Arlington team inspects the complete gas path — from your meter to every connected appliance. This includes supply lines, connection fittings, water heaters, furnaces, stoves, dryers, fireplaces, and outdoor grills. We do not stop at the obvious spots.
Baker Brothers has been serving North Texas since 1945. Our Arlington technicians know the soil conditions, the home construction eras, and the common failure points in Mid-Cities properties. We arrive prepared, and we give you answers — not guesses.
Our Arlington location holds a 4.8-star Google rating from 1,634+ reviews. Every technician is state-licensed and background-checked before they step onto your property.
Gas leaks do not wait for business hours. Neither do we. Baker Brothers offers 24/7 emergency gas leak detection in Arlington, including weekends and holidays.
Call (817) 595-0116 for gas leak detection in Arlington — day or night, we are ready.
Located at: 7315 Commercial Blvd E, Arlington, TX 76001
for gas leak detection in Arlington — day or night, we are ready.
Located at: 7315 Commercial Blvd E, Arlington, TX 76001
A brief, faint smell near your meter can happen when the regulator releases small pressure bursts. A constant or strong smell is not normal and needs immediate attention.
Your gas utility owns the line from the street to the meter. Everything beyond the meter — including your yard line and interior connections — is your responsibility to repair.
Call Baker Brothers at (817) 595-0116. The leak may be in your yard line or interior connections, which the utility does not inspect or repair.
Do not attempt to find or fix a gas leak yourself. Move away from the area, call your gas utility, and contact a licensed plumber if the smell persists after the utility visit.
Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency gas leak detection in Arlington, including weekends and holidays. Call (817) 595-0116 any time you suspect a gas leak on your property.
Baker Brothers Plumbing, Air & Electric - Arlington • 7315 E Commercial Blvd, Arlington, TX 76001 • 817-595-0116
© 2025 Baker Brothers Plumbing, Air & Electric. All Rights Reserved