Use your CGI to help identify the general area where the leak is occurring. Remember, gas can migrate to the surface from an underground leak or from a damaged gas line in an open excavation.

If you find a damaged plastic gas service or main, keep your distance, and do not attempt to stop the flow of gas. A static electric charge can build up anywhere on a plastic pipe. Touching the pipe—or even approaching it—could create a spark and ignite leaking gas. Shutting off gas at the main could cause major issues elsewhere (away from the actual incident) such as:

• Service termination to an entire community
• Back-pressurization of the system

A leak can quickly spread to other areas, so use your CGI to check surrounding buildings, especially basements, for natural gas.