What should I do if I smell gas near my natural gas fireplace in my Ottawa home?

Stop using the fireplace immediately and leave your home. A gas smell near a fireplace signals a potential leak, improper combustion, or a gas line problem — all of which are serious safety hazards that require immediate professional attention. Do not attempt to identify or fix the source yourself, and do not ignore it hoping it will go away.

Here's what you need to do right now: First, turn off the fireplace at the wall switch or remote and do not use it again until a licensed gas fitter inspects and clears it. If the smell is strong or you feel at all unsafe, leave your home immediately, close the door behind you, and call Enbridge Gas at 1-866-763-5427 (their 24/7 emergency line) or your local fire department. Do not use your phone indoors if you suspect a major leak — step outside first. Enbridge will dispatch a technician immediately if there is evidence of a gas leak in your line.

A faint gas smell that occurs only when the fireplace first ignites and dissipates within 30 seconds is often normal — it's unburned gas that clears once combustion begins. However, a persistent smell, a smell that gets worse when the fireplace runs, or a smell in other parts of the house means something is wrong. The most common causes in Ottawa homes are a cracked heat exchanger (which allows gas to escape into the room rather than being fully combusted), a faulty gas valve that is not closing completely, a loose or corroded gas line connection at the fireplace, improper venting that is allowing combustion byproducts back into the home, or a problem with the gas regulator or supply line.

Natural gas is odourless in its natural state — the rotten-egg smell (mercaptan) is added by utility companies so leaks are detectable. That smell is there for a reason: to alert you to danger. Undetected natural gas leaks can accumulate in low areas of your home and create an explosion hazard, and incomplete combustion of gas produces carbon monoxide, which is a silent killer. A TSSA-licensed gas fitter (G2 or G3 certificate) must diagnose and repair the problem. This is not a DIY situation, and it's not something to delay — call a licensed gas fitter immediately.

When you do hire someone, be specific about what you smelled and when. Did the smell occur only during ignition, continuously while the fireplace ran, or even when the fireplace was off? Is the smell inside the room or coming from outside near the fireplace vent? Has anyone in your household experienced headaches, dizziness, or nausea? These details help the technician narrow down the cause.

For professional inspection and repair, you can browse fireplace and gas technicians through the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com/directory — look for contractors with TSSA licensing (they will list this in their profile). In the meantime, keep the room well-ventilated and avoid using the fireplace, and make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and near bedrooms. Gas safety is not negotiable in Ottawa.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Luxe Painting and Renovations
• The Egress Group Inc
• JMY Renovations
• Titley Construction
• The Granite shop