Why does my fireplace smell like rotten eggs even when it's off?
In Mills River, plenty of homes on these rural, large-lot properties run on propane rather than a gas main — so a rotten-egg smell from a fireplace that's off means propane is leaking, and it can settle low around the house. Don't touch a switch. Get everyone outside, then call your propane supplier and us at (828) 545-0525.
Propane reads the smell the same, calls a different number
Out in the Mills River valley, farmland, and forest, many homes are fed by a propane tank on the property instead of a natural-gas main. The odorant — mercaptan — is added to propane just like natural gas, so a leak still hits your nose as rotten eggs or sulfur. The difference: you call the supplier whose name is on your tank, not a city utility. And propane is heavier than air, so from an off fireplace it can pool near the floor, in a basement, or in a crawl space.
Get clear, then make the calls
Don't try to find the source. Leave switches, the thermostat, and the garage door alone, no match, no phone flashlight indoors, and get the family and pets outside. From the driveway or a neighbor's, call your propane supplier — or the gas utility if you're on the main — then 911, then us. Once it's safe we locate the leak, pressure-test the line, and repair it.
Licensed propane and gas work
Connecting, repairing, and pressure-testing a propane or gas line is licensed work in North Carolina — our parent company, Quality Mechanical, has run gas and propane across these mountains since 2005. Steady Flame is a licensed gas contractor; we pull the Henderson County permit, pressure-test the line, and back the fix. A persistent rotten-egg smell with the fireplace off is never a wait-and-see. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Mills River
We install and service fireplaces throughout Mills River and the rest of Henderson County — just 25 minutes south from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
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