LEAVE THE HOUSE NOW. Don't use phones or switches inside. Call Columbia Gas of Ohio at 1-800-344-4077 from outside. They respond 24/7, free.
Step-by-step response
- 1Get everyone out
Family and pets out the nearest door. Don't pause to gather valuables. Don't go back in. Walk to a neighbor's house or your car.
- 2Don't trigger ignition
Don't flip light switches, don't unplug anything, don't use phones inside. Don't smoke, don't strike a match. Even a doorbell can ignite a gas-air mixture.
- 3Call Columbia Gas of Ohio from outside
1-800-344-4077. 24/7, free. Universal across NW Ohio (Toledo metro + Findlay metro). They send a tech to confirm and shut off your service if needed.
- 4Wait for the all-clear
Don't re-enter until Columbia Gas confirms safe. They'll tell you if the leak is in their lines (their fix) or in your house's pipes / appliances (your repair, with a licensed gas tech).
- 5Hire a licensed gas tech for the repair
If the leak was on your side of the meter (range gas line, water heater connection, dryer line), the gas stays off until a licensed gas technician repairs it and Columbia Gas re-tests. Use a verified pro from this directory.
Verified gas technicians serving Westgate (Columbus, OH)
We're still verifying gas technicians specifically for Westgate (Columbus, OH). Browse all NW Ohio gas technicians.
Frequently asked
Can I just open the windows and try to find the leak myself?
No. Call Columbia Gas first. They have calibrated combustible-gas detectors; humans miss small leaks until concentration is dangerous. The call is free and they want false alarms over missed real leaks.
What does a gas leak repair cost?
If Columbia Gas finds it on their side, free. On your side: $200-650 for a single connection (e.g., re-tape a flex line under a stove), $850-2,500 for a section of black-iron pipe replacement, more for whole-house repipe.
Will my insurance cover it?
Damage from an explosion or fire — yes if you have homeowners. The repair to fix the leak — usually no, that's your responsibility. Carbon monoxide poisoning medical bills — yes, but only if you have a working CO detector.
Local context — Westgate (Columbus, OH)
Inner-west neighborhood with 1920s bungalows. Older HVAC + galvanized water lines.