GAS LEAK DETECTION SPECIALISTS — PASADENA, CA
Gas Leak Detection & Repair
in Pasadena, California
We locate and repair gas leaks across Pasadena — from Bungalow Heaven to the hillside streets near Caltech. Electronic detectors, soap-solution testing, and thermal imaging. Same-day response in most cases.
No extra charge evenings, weekends, or holidays · CA C-36 Licensed & Insured
✓ CA C-36 Licensed & Insured
✓ Same-Day Response
✓ 24/7 — No Surcharge
✓ Written Report Every Job
✓ SoCalGas Pink Slip Experts
WARNING SIGNS
Signs You May Have a Gas Leak
A gas leak rarely announces itself loudly. It shows up in small, easy-to-miss details — and most homeowners catch it too late simply because they didn’t know what to look for. If you also notice a sudden water bill increase, check our leak detection home page for the PWP meter test.
🥚 Rotten Egg or Sulfur Smell
Near appliances, meters, or gas lines. SoCalGas adds this odor specifically so you can detect leaks by smell.
🔊 Hissing Sound Near Pipes
Near a meter, stove, water heater, or furnace. Pressurised gas escaping a fitting produces an audible hiss.
🌿 Dead or Yellowing Plants
In one patch of your yard with no clear cause. Underground gas leaks kill vegetation directly above the pipe.
💸 Gas Bill Jumps Unexpectedly
Without any change in your usage. Gas escaping the line goes on your bill whether it reaches an appliance or not.
🔥 Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit
Or a stove flame that burns orange instead of blue. Interrupted gas supply or contamination from a nearby leak.
😵 Headaches, Dizziness, Nausea
That ease once you step outside. Prolonged gas exposure causes health symptoms at concentrations too low to smell clearly.
⚠️ None of these alone confirms a leak. But if two or more show up together — treat it as real until proven otherwise. Waiting for certainty is how small leaks turn into evacuations.
EMERGENCY PROTOCOL
What to Do If You Smell Gas
Gas leaks turn dangerous fast. Follow these steps immediately — in order. For active water emergencies, see our emergency leak detection page.
① Leave Immediately
Get everyone out — including pets — without stopping to grab belongings. Every second counts.
② Touch Nothing Electrical
Don’t touch switches, phones, or anything electrical on your way out. Even a light switch can create a spark.
③ Call From Outside
Once you’re a safe distance away: call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200, then call us at (626) 687-0576.
④ Stay Out
Until a licensed technician confirms it’s safe to re-enter. Never try to trace or fix a gas leak yourself.
WHY PASADENA
Why Gas Leaks Demand Immediate Response in Pasadena
Gas leaks turn dangerous fast. A small leak near an open flame, a pilot light, or even a light switch spark can ignite in seconds. Even without ignition, prolonged exposure brings real health risks at concentrations too low to smell clearly.
Pasadena carries its own layer of risk. Many homes near Orange Grove Boulevard, Bungalow Heaven, and the older blocks around South Pasadena were built before 1950, with gas piping decades past the lifespan it was designed for. Add ground movement from the Raymond Fault, and fittings that held fine for seventy years can work loose without warning. If you also need a pipe leak inspection following a gas leak, we handle both.
🏛️ Pre-1950 Housing Stock
Homes in Bungalow Heaven, along Orange Grove Boulevard, and throughout Old Pasadena were built with gas piping that’s decades past its designed service life.
⛰️ Seismic Ground Movement
Minor seismic activity along fault lines near Pasadena causes ground movement that loosens fittings over time — especially in pipes that have been in place for decades.
🔧 Ageing Fittings
Fittings that held fine for seventy years can work loose without warning when soil shifts beneath them. Older pipe plus shifting soil is the combination behind most leaks we find here.
DETECTION METHODS
How We Detect a Gas Leak
Different leaks hide in different places, so we rarely rely on just one method. We also use similar acoustic detection equipment for water pipe leaks when gas work reveals related water system issues.
| Detection Method | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Electronic Gas Detector | Senses gas concentration in the air along suspected lines — identifies the general zone of the leak |
| Soap-Solution Test | Bubbles form at the exact point gas is escaping a fitting — confirms the precise leak location |
| Calibrated Pressure Test | Confirms whether the whole line holds pressure correctly — isolates which section is failing |
| Thermal Imaging | Spots temperature changes tied to gas flow through walls or slabs — finds leaks without opening anything |
IMPORTANT PROCESS
The SoCalGas Shutoff and Pink Slip Process
If SoCalGas finds a leak during an inspection, they lock the meter and leave a pink slip explaining why service was shut off. This isn’t paperwork for its own sake — it’s a safety hold that stays in place until a licensed technician fixes the problem and SoCalGas confirms the fix.
Step 1
SoCalGas locks the meter and tags it with a pink slip
Step 2
We diagnose and repair the leak — same day in most cases
Step 3
We contact SoCalGas directly to schedule the meter unlock
Step 4
SoCalGas returns to inspect the repair and restore service
Most homeowners don’t realize: you can’t call SoCalGas back yourself to unlock the meter after a repair. The request has to come from a licensed plumber confirming the work was done. Skipping this step is the single biggest reason people sit without gas for days longer than they need to. We handle this for you.
OUR SERVICES
Our Gas Leak Services in Pasadena
🔍 Gas Leak Detection
Pinpointing the exact source — indoors or underground — using electronic detectors, pressure testing, soap solution, and thermal imaging. We also cover underground supply line detection for buried gas pipes.
🔧 Gas Leak Repair
Sealing, refitting, or replacing the damaged section. Most repairs completed same-day once the source is confirmed.
🚨 Emergency Gas Shutoff
Safely shutting down gas flow during an active leak. We coordinate with SoCalGas for the full shutoff and restoration process. See also our 24/7 emergency detection service.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Gas Leak Detection FAQs — Pasadena, CA
How do I know if I have a gas leak in my home?
Watch for a rotten egg smell, hissing near pipes or appliances, dead patches of grass outdoors, or a gas bill that jumps without explanation. If two or more signs appear together, treat it as a real leak and leave the property immediately.
Is it safe to stay in my house if I smell gas?
No. Leave immediately, don’t touch switches or electronics, and call from a safe distance. Call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200, then call us at (626) 687-0576.
What is a SoCalGas pink slip, and what do I do if I get one?
It’s a notice left when SoCalGas shuts off your gas for safety. You need a licensed technician to fix the issue before SoCalGas will restore service — and the restore request must come from the plumber, not the homeowner. We handle the full process, including coordinating the meter re-lock inspection.
What causes gas leaks in older Pasadena homes?
Aging or corroded piping, ground movement from seismic activity along nearby fault lines, and outdated fittings that were never upgraded. Homes in Bungalow Heaven and along Orange Grove Boulevard built before 1950 are highest risk. Many of these same homes also have in-wall water pipe issues that develop alongside gas line aging.
Do you offer emergency gas leak detection at night or on weekends?
Yes. Gas leaks don’t wait for business hours — and neither do we. We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year with no after-hours surcharge. Same rate day or night. Visit our emergency leak detection page for full details on our 24/7 response.
Smell Gas? Don’t Wait.
Leave the property. Call SoCalGas. Then call us — same-day service across Pasadena, South Pasadena, Altadena, San Marino & La Cañada Flintridge. Also see our full Pasadena leak detection services.