Why does my fireplace smell like rotten eggs even when it's off?
Stop — that rotten-egg or sulfur smell is the odorant added to natural gas and propane, and smelling it while the fireplace is off usually means gas is leaking. Don't flip switches, light anything, or use your phone indoors. Get everyone outside, then from a safe distance call your gas or propane utility and us at (828) 545-0525.
Why gas smells like rotten eggs
Natural gas and propane are naturally odorless, so utilities add a chemical called mercaptan that smells deliberately awful — rotten eggs, sulfur, a struck match — so you'll notice a leak. If your fireplace is switched off and you're still smelling it, gas is escaping somewhere it shouldn't: a loose fitting, a valve not fully seated, a cracked connection, or a pilot that blew out while gas kept trickling.
What to do right now
Treat it as an emergency, not a nuisance. Don't operate any switch, thermostat, or garage door, don't strike a match, and don't unplug anything — any spark can ignite pooled gas. Leave the house with your family and pets, and from a neighbor's or the driveway call the gas company (or your propane supplier, out in Fairview, Candler, and the cabins) or 911, then call us. We locate the leak, pressure-test the line, and make the repair.
Why this is licensed work
In North Carolina, running, repairing, or pressure-testing a gas line is licensed work for a reason — there's no safe DIY version of a gas leak. Steady Flame is a licensed gas contractor; we permit and pressure-test every line we touch. A weak whiff for a second or two only at ignition can be normal, but a persistent rotten-egg smell, especially with the unit off, always gets a professional out. Call (828) 545-0525.
How we can help
Related questions
- Is it normal to smell a faint whiff of gas for a second or two when my fireplace ignites?
- Why does my gas fireplace smell like burning plastic or chemicals?
- Why does my carbon monoxide detector go off when I use my fireplace?
- Why do I smell exhaust fumes when my direct-vent fireplace is running?
- Why does my ventless fireplace give me a headache or make the air feel stuffy?
- Why won't my gas fireplace turn on at all?
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