If you notice a strong sulfur or rotten egg odor in your home, it may be a PGW gas smell warning indicating a possible natural gas leak. Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) may shut off your gas service if a leak is suspected for safety reasons.
If you smell gas:
When Philadelphia Gas Works identifies a gas leak on your property, they shut off your gas meter to prevent an explosion, fire, or carbon monoxide poisoning. This is a mandatory safety action — PGW is legally required to disconnect service when a hazard is confirmed. Your gas will remain off until the problem is professionally repaired and the system is verified as safe.
A PGW shutoff is not a billing issue or an account problem. It means there is a physical leak in your gas piping system that must be fixed by a licensed plumber before PGW will reconnect your meter. The longer you wait to make repairs, the longer your household goes without heat, hot water, and cooking gas.
After the leak is repaired, PGW requires a documented pressure test to prove the entire gas piping system is airtight. This involves pressurizing your gas lines with air or nitrogen and monitoring the gauge over a set period to confirm zero pressure drop. Precision Plus Plumbing performs this test as a standard part of every PGW gas leak repair. We document the results and provide PGW with the paperwork they need to schedule your meter reconnection — typically within 24 to 48 hours of a passing test.
PGW performs routine pressure tests on residential gas lines. If your system loses pressure during the test, it confirms a leak exists and service is immediately shut off.
Older Philadelphia homes — especially row homes and pre-war construction — often have original black iron gas pipes that have corroded from decades of moisture exposure, creating leak points.
Gas line connections at valves, unions, and appliance hookups can loosen over time from vibration, thermal expansion, or improper installation — allowing gas to escape at the joint.
Gas piping has a finite lifespan. Homes 50+ years old frequently have gas lines with thinning walls, thread deterioration, or joint compound that has dried out and cracked.
Improperly installed appliance connectors — including unapproved flexible lines, missing drip legs, or connections without shutoff valves — are code violations that PGW will flag.
The gas service line running from the street to your home can develop leaks due to ground settling, root intrusion, or corrosion — especially in clay soil common across Philadelphia neighborhoods.
Real jobs completed by our expert technicians — delivering reliable PGW Gas Leak Repair solutions for local homes.
Call our 24/7 line. We dispatch a licensed master plumber to your Philadelphia home — same-day for PGW shutoff emergencies.
We inspect every inch of your gas piping system using electronic leak detection and visual assessment to locate all leak points.
All leaks are repaired to current Philadelphia code. This includes pipe replacement, fitting repairs, valve installation, and appliance reconnection as needed.
If PGW flagged code violations — missing shutoff valves, improper connectors, or venting issues — we correct them as part of the repair to ensure full compliance.
We pressurize the entire gas system and monitor for leaks using a calibrated gauge. Results are documented for PGW's records.
We submit passing test results and repair documentation to PGW and coordinate your meter reconnection — typically within 24–48 hours.
Saxon DaveTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service, very professiona,l on time, cleaned up afterwards, very respectable. I would definitely be calling him for all my needs. Before I go to anybody else for anything, i will call Precision Plus first. Five out of five stars for me Mary WorthyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Precision Plus Plumbing came out the next day and quickly got to work. They showed real care for our children’s well-being and handled everything with professionalism and compassion. Highly recommend! Keisha Jackson-SmithTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Derrick was very efficient and professional. He explained what needed to be done in detail and completed the job in a timely manner. I am very pleased with the result. Brian FeasterTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Derrick from Precision Plumbing, performed mold testing, was quick, professional and efficient! Beverly BoldenTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Derrick was quick assessing my issues problem solved in no time great job thanks so much Wayne TuckerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. QUALITY 5 STARS Dave WatsonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great experience! Quick turnaround on a Saturday. Fixed the issue and was a pleasure to work with.
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Founder & Master Plumber
Since opening our doors in 1999, Precision Plus Plumbing has had one goal in mind: save busy homeowners time and frustration.
When you hire Precision Plus, you’re benefiting from a proven local business that knows your home, is familiar with older plumbing, and will educate you on what caused your problem — while discussing options on how to prevent them from happening again.
“We made the decision to provide clients with a unique experience that busy homeowners would be proud of. Our techs show up on time, do not smell like the sewer, and can resolve most problems on the initial service call.”
What started as a commitment to better service has grown into the area’s most trusted name for emergency plumbing, water damage restoration, and mold services — serving Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.
Once repairs are complete and the gas line passes a pressure test, PGW typically restores service within 24 to 48 hours. The total timeline depends on the scope of repairs needed. Precision Plus Plumbing offers same-day emergency repair and pressure testing, so the repair portion is often completed the same day you call. We coordinate directly with PGW to expedite the restoration process.