You don’t usually smell gas right away. Sometimes it’s faint, almost like old eggs mixed with metal, and other times it hits you all at once when you walk past the kitchen or the side of the house. Adelaide homes are full of older gas fittings, older pipework and appliances that have seen a few too many summers, so leaks aren’t unusual. 

And it’s surprising how many people try. A bit of tape on a joint, tightening a valve with a shifting spanner, or worse… relighting a pilot light without checking the source of the leak.
Gas just isn’t one of those things you experiment with.

This is exactly why aba PLUMBING + GAS constantly reminds customers, whether they call from Modbury, Glenelg, or out in the Adelaide Hills, that DIY gas work is illegal in SA, and for very good reason.

Let’s break down what usually causes gas leaks, why they happen more in older South Australian homes, and the real risks of trying to fix a leak yourself.

Old pipework… and the heat doesn’t help

Adelaide’s temperature swings do more than make us run the air conditioner all summer. Metal expands and contracts — over and over again — until fittings loosen slightly. It might only be a millimetre, but gas doesn’t need much space to escape.

Homes built in the 70s, 80s and early 90s often have aging copper lines or connectors that have never been replaced. A tiny crack can form from corrosion or movement in the soil. Sometimes the appliance moves slightly during cleaning and the hose gets strained.

Most gas leaks Adelaide we see at aba come down to three simple things:

• fittings that have loosened over time
• flexible hoses past their safe lifespan
• corroded or cracked copper lines around older cooktops and hot water systems

People rarely check these areas until they smell something unusual.

Gas appliances that are “almost” working properly

Another common culprit is the half-working appliance. The cooktop that takes ages to ignite. The hot water system that makes a faint ticking noise. The heater that sometimes struggles after a cold snap.

Many homeowners shrug these off but incomplete combustion and faulty ignition are both warning signs that gas is escaping somewhere it shouldn’t. A licensed gas fitter from aba PLUMBING + GAS can pick this up almost instantly because they test the entire line and not just the part that seems suspicious.

DIY gas repairs… the accident waiting to happen

People assume a slow leak is harmless but here’s the uncomfortable truth: slow leaks are the ones that cause the worst damage.

The gas accumulates quietly. In roof spaces. Under the house. Inside small kitchens with poor ventilation. One spark from a switch, or even static electricity, is enough.

And this is why the law in South Australia is so strict. Any unlicensed gas work comes with fines, but honestly, the consequences are far more serious than the fine itself. Gas repairs aren’t like fixing a leaky tap where the worst outcome is a wet cabinet. A wrong move with gas can cost a home or lives.

Why calling a licensed gas fitter Adelaide immediately matters

A professional gas fitter doesn’t just repair the visible problem. They track the source, test all connections, inspect the appliance, and check pressure throughout the entire system.
Most leaks don’t happen where you expect them…they happen at the point you didn’t think to look.

That’s why homeowners across Adelaide now keep aba PLUMBING + GAS bookmarked. We are local, licensed, certified for all gas brands, and available 24/7 for gas emergencies Adelaide-wide. The peace of mind alone is worth more than the cost of a service call.

Searching for Gas leak detection Adelaide or gas fitting repairs? 

Book a gas appliance inspection in Adelaide today! Got questions? From a small repair to a major issue, our qualified specialists are available 24/7. Talk to the aba team – we are here to help.