Gas Leak in a New Maytag Oven
- Many people associate a sulfur-like rotten egg odor with natural gas, but gas actually has no detectable odor on its own. Natural gas providers are required by state and federal regulations to add odorants to natural gas so homeowners can detect a gas leak more easily. Odorants are added in such abundance as to make gas easily detectable even at low air concentrations, so a lingering natural gas smell is the easiest way to detect a gas leak around your Maytag oven.
- To ensure proper safety during a possible gas leak, it is important to know what not to do than what to do. Don't light a match, lighter, candle or any other open flame for any reason. Don't turn on any electrical or light switches. Make sure the Maytag oven is set to off. If you are using a Maytag gas/stove combination, ensure the gas burners are set to "off" as well. Ventilate the room by opening windows and doors and get everyone out of the home as soon as possible.
- Once outside, call 911 or your natural gas provider to address the possible gas leak. Once they declare the home safe to reenter, they may be able to pinpoint the source of the gas leak. If the gas provider cannot repair the gas leak for you, they can likely provide recommendations for someone who can. If the gas leak has been caused by a malfunction of the Maytag oven, contact Maytag; since the oven is new, repairs may be covered under the manufacturer's warranty.
- It can be difficult to make the judgment call as to whether a gas odor indicates a gas leak or whether the odor is simply that of the natural gas the oven uses dissipating after the oven is turned off. It's natural for a natural gas smell to linger somewhat when the oven is in use and after being turned off, but if the smell lingers for longer than it should, or if the natural gas smell is stronger than normal, your Maytag oven could be leaking gas. Due to the potentially serious dangers of a natural gas leak, err on the side of caution and have experts address the issue right away.
