If you smell gas in your home, the immediate response is: get everyone out, call 911 from outside, then if safe to do so, shut off the gas at the meter. Gas leaks can ignite from a single spark — phone, light switch, static electricity. The 30-second action of knowing where the shutoff is, and having the right tool nearby, separates a managed event from a catastrophic one.
This guide covers natural gas shutoff procedure for Ottawa homes (Enbridge supplies natural gas to most of the region).
Before you start
Three critical safety points:
1. Get out first, shutoff second. Personal safety comes first. If you smell gas, evacuate everyone before doing anything else. Call 911 from outside. If you can safely return to shut off gas, do so — but never re-enter a home with strong gas smell.
2. Don't operate any electrical or open flames. Don't flip light switches. Don't use phones inside. Don't turn appliances off (the act of switching them creates sparks). Don't use lighters or matches. Even doorbells can cause sparks. Get out without touching anything.
3. Gas shutoff requires a wrench. The gas meter shutoff is a quarter-turn valve that requires a 12-15 inch adjustable wrench. The valve is intentionally not hand-operable — to prevent accidental shutoffs. Keep a wrench at the meter or accessible immediately. Don't store the wrench inside if the meter is outside.
What you'll need
Tools
- 12-15 inch adjustable wrench (kept near the meter, or pre-positioned for emergency)
- Phone (for calling 911 — from OUTSIDE)
Materials
- None
Suspect a leak? Get out first. Always.
If you smell gas (rotten egg odor, added to natural gas as a warning), get everyone out of the house immediately. Call 911 from outside.
Don't try to find the source. Don't operate any switches. Don't use phones inside. The risk of ignition exceeds the value of any actions you might take.
Once safely outside, you can shut off gas at the meter if accessible without re-entering the house.
Step-by-step instructions
Locate the gas meter today
Walk around the outside of your home. The gas meter is usually a metal box on the exterior wall, often near the foundation.
Some homes have meters in basements or utility rooms (less common in Ottawa).
Take a photo. Note the location.
Identify the shutoff valve
On the gas meter, find the main shutoff valve — typically on the input pipe (the pipe coming up from the ground). It's a flat valve with a wrench-sized stem.
When the valve handle is parallel to the pipe (in line with), gas flows through (open). When the handle is perpendicular to the pipe (90 degrees), gas is shut off.
Keep a wrench near the meter (this weekend's task)
Place a 12-15 inch adjustable wrench in a weatherproof container near the meter, or in an accessible location like a garage shelf.
Without a wrench, you cannot operate the valve — it's intentionally not hand-operable to prevent accidental shutoffs.
Don't store the wrench inside the house only — if you can't safely re-enter to get it, you can't shut off the gas.
Emergency: smell gas, get out
If you smell gas inside the house, get everyone out immediately.
Don't flip any switches, don't use phones, don't ignite anything.
Call 911 from a phone OUTSIDE — your cell phone or a neighbour's.
Shut off the meter (only if safely accessible)
If you can reach the gas meter without re-entering the house, do so.
Apply the wrench to the valve handle. Turn 90 degrees so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe. The valve is now closed.
If you cannot reach the meter without re-entering a gas-filled home, do NOT enter. Wait for emergency responders.
Wait for utility (Enbridge) and emergency response
Stay outside, away from the house. Don't re-enter until told it's safe.
Enbridge or fire department will assess the leak, repair, and verify it's safe before signing off.
Don't restore gas yourself after it's been shut off in an emergency. Utility must inspect first.
Common mistakes that cost you
- Re-entering a gas-filled house to shut off. Personal safety comes first. If meter isn't safely reachable, wait outside.
- Using cell phones inside. Phones can spark. Use only outside the house.
- Wrench stored inside only. Can't access in emergency. Keep wrench in accessible exterior location.
- Restoring gas yourself after emergency shutoff. Utility must inspect first. Restoring without verification is unsafe.
- Not finding the meter until emergency. Wastes critical seconds. Find and verify location TODAY.
Frequently asked questions
What does gas smell like?
Natural gas itself is odorless. Suppliers add mercaptan (a sulfur compound) that smells like rotten eggs as a safety warning.
If you smell rotten eggs in your home, treat it as a gas leak. Get out, call 911.
Should I shut off gas before vacation?
Generally not necessary. Modern gas systems are reliable. Shutting off requires utility re-inspection to restore.
Exception: if you're concerned about an aging system or had recent gas work, ask a plumber for assessment.
Can I restore gas myself after shutoff?
After emergency shutoff: NO. Utility must inspect and re-light all appliances before restoring. Doing yourself can cause secondary gas leaks (pilot lights that didn't relight).
After routine shutoff (vacation, planned work): you can restore, but you must safely re-light every gas appliance — this requires familiarity with each appliance's procedure.
When to call us instead
Gas safety is one of the most-important homeowner education topics. Five minutes of preparation can save lives. We assess gas system condition during home renovation consultations.
Book a free 60-minute site visit →Related Ottawa services
If you have aging gas appliances or are renovating gas-supplied areas, our renovation team coordinates licensed gas fitters as part of larger work. Book a free 60-minute consultation.