What to Do If You Smell Gas in Your NYC Apartment
A master plumber's step-by-step guide for gas leak emergencies in NYC. What to do, what NOT to do, and when to call Con Edison vs. a plumber.
Before You Start
Stop. Read this entire article before you do anything else.
I've been a licensed master plumber in New York City for over 30 years. I've seen gas leaks handled correctly and I've seen the aftermath when they weren't. This is not a DIY job. This is not something you troubleshoot. If you smell gas in your apartment or building, your only job is to get people out safely and get the right people on the phone.
Do not try to find the leak. Do not try to fix it. Do not touch the gas valve if you don't know exactly what you're doing. A mistake with a gas line doesn't give you a second chance.
Here is exactly what to do, in order.
Step 1: Don't Touch Anything Electrical
The moment you smell gas, do not flip any light switches - on or off. Do not plug anything in. Do not unplug anything. Do not use your phone inside the apartment if the smell is strong. Electrical sparks, even tiny ones from a light switch, can ignite gas vapor.
Do not: turn lights on or off, use the stove, light a match or cigarette, run any appliance, or use the elevator.
NYC tip: This includes the doorbell. Some older NYC apartment intercoms create a small spark when activated. Use the stairwell, not the elevator, when evacuating.
Step 2: Open Windows If You Can Do So Safely
If you can open a window without turning a switch or passing near the smell, do it. Ventilation helps disperse gas and buys time. If the smell is strong or you're already feeling lightheaded, skip this step and go straight to Step 3. Your life is not worth a few minutes of airing out the apartment.
Do not use an exhaust fan. That's an electrical switch.
Step 3: Get Out of the Building
If the smell is strong - meaning it hits you when you walk in, or you can smell it in the hallway - get out now. Knock on your neighbors' doors as you leave. Alert your super if you can find them quickly. Do not delay your exit searching for people.
Once you're outside and at a safe distance from the building, then make your calls.
Step 4: Call Your Gas Utility - Not 911 First
Once you're clear of the building, call your gas company's emergency line immediately.
NYC utility emergency numbers:
Tell them you smell gas, give them your address, and tell them whether the smell is inside the apartment, in the hallway, or coming from outside. They will dispatch a crew to locate and shut off the supply. This is their job. They are equipped for it. They will arrive faster than most people expect.
NYC tip: Con Edison and National Grid have emergency response crews operating around the clock. They do not charge for emergency shutoffs. Do not let cost stop you from making this call.
If there is an active fire, people are injured, or someone has lost consciousness, call 911 first, then the utility.
Step 5: Do Not Go Back Inside Until You're Cleared
Wait outside until the utility crew arrives, inspects the line, and gives you the all-clear. If they shut off your gas supply, they will give you documentation. That documentation matters for what comes next.
NYC tip: In multi-family buildings, Con Edison or National Grid may shut off gas to the entire building - not just your unit. If that happens, your building will need a licensed NYC plumber to inspect, repair, and restore service. The utility will not restore gas until a plumber signs off on the repair and the Department of Buildings (DOB) issues clearance.
Step 6: Call a Licensed NYC Plumber
After the utility secures the line, call a licensed plumber. This is where the repair work begins.
Gas line repair is not a DIY repair. It is also not work for an unlicensed contractor. In New York City, all gas work must be done by a licensed master plumber, and depending on the scope, a permit may be required through the Department of Buildings.
NYC gas code has tightened significantly in recent years. Every gas line must be properly sized, tagged, and documented. The 10-foot marking requirement means gas piping must be marked at intervals to identify it throughout the building. Failure to meet these standards results in violations - and gas code violations are among the most expensive plumbing violations issued in New York City.
NYC tip: If your building has old black iron piping, improperly routed lines, or undersized gas meter service - especially common in buildings that converted a floor to commercial use - you may be looking at a significant repair. Gas line corrections in older NYC buildings can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Getting a proper assessment before any work starts protects you from surprises.
When to Call a Plumber
Call a plumber any time there has been a gas leak or gas shutoff - even if the utility says the leak was minor. You need a licensed professional to:
Do not let anyone - a handyman, a super, an unlicensed contractor - touch a gas line in a NYC building. The liability is severe and the safety risk is real. Gas leaks are simultaneously a life-threatening emergency and a code violation. Handle both seriously.
If you've already tried to shut off a gas valve yourself and aren't sure if you made things better or worse, tell the plumber exactly what you touched. Don't guess. The more accurate the picture, the faster and safer the repair.
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