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View Full Version : What could cause a natural gas smell inside when we open the doors and windows?


bikerchic1
Jun 12, 2012, 09:08 PM
We recently built a house and have been living in it for about 6 months. As it has gotten warmer, we have been opening our windows and doors and when we do this we get a really strong natural gas smell in our house. The smell seems to happen 'faster' in the house when it is windy outside or when we get a good breeze going through the house. We have had the gas company come out and check all the connections and they said everything was fine. We even had the plumber come out and check it thinking that maybe we were smelling sewer gas instead and he couldn't find anything. The plumber said the smell reminded him or natural gas that come out of old pipes on remodel jobs he has done. We are willing to try anything at this point to get the smell cleared up. Any advice/comments would be greatly appreciated.

Vicki1029
Jun 22, 2012, 01:47 PM
Your story sounds so familiar, I had to read it very carefully to be sure I didn't post it. Please tell me you found the source of this smell. We are having the same problem!!

aholmblad
Aug 30, 2012, 10:24 AM
We have the same problem. We just moved in Dec 2011. Any resolution?

mygirlsdad77
Aug 30, 2012, 04:06 PM
If it is indeed a natural gas smell (or the smell they add to ng) you need to have the complete system pressure checked. Has this been done yet? If not, you need to have it done asap. Also, do you know what type of gas pipe material was used? Was it black iron throughout, or was flexable pipe used? If flex was used, and not installed correctly, it may have been punctured during the construction process. I have seen numerous times where flex pipe was hit by a nail while siding, or a screw while sheetrocking, etc, etc. Nothing to take a chance one here, okay. Get a pressure test done. Until then, I would suggest shutting the gas off at the meter so you don't have a real life or death experience in the near future.

ma0641
Aug 30, 2012, 05:27 PM
The wind gives you a clue that it may be from the roof vent. Sometimes it smells like NG but, well actually is, methane. Odors from the sewer add the "flavor".

bikerchic1
May 4, 2013, 09:28 PM
Unfortunately we haven't found a solution yet, I had a plumber come out and give me a free inspection, last spring, and check everything in the house and he said it looked good and without really digging into it there was nothing wrong. I also had a company comes out that investigates weird smell and he said he would give it a year to see if it was maybe just 'gases' from all the new products and that maybe it would go away. It is still here, so I'm going to get serious this year and find out what it is. Any luck on your end?