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 Norwood, OH
We're still verifying gas technicians specifically for Norwood, 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 — Norwood, OH
Inner-ring Cincinnati suburb — pre-1930 housing, blue-collar revival.