Propane Safety Tips

Recognizing a Propane Leak

Propane naturally has no odor, so suppliers add a chemical odorant — ethyl mercaptan — that produces a smell similar to rotten eggs or skunk spray. This odor is deliberately strong so you can detect even small leaks quickly.

Beyond smell, other warning signs of a propane leak include a hissing or whistling sound near your tank or gas lines, dead or discolored vegetation in a patch near your underground line, bubbling in standing water near the tank, and frost forming on the regulator or lines during normal temperatures (which can indicate a pressure drop from a leak).

One important caution: if you have been exposed to propane fumes for an extended period, you may lose your ability to detect the smell. If other occupants report the odor and you cannot smell it, take the emergency steps above anyway.

Reading Your Tank Gauge Safely

Your propane tank has a float gauge — similar to a car's fuel gauge — that shows the percentage of remaining propane. Here is what the numbers mean for rural Colorado homeowners:

• 80%: Maximum safe fill level. Propane needs room to expand with temperature changes. Your tank will never be filled above 80% — this is by design, not an error.
• 30%: Order point. Call Brothers Propane at or above 30% to schedule your next delivery. In winter months, order even earlier due to delivery demand and road conditions.
• 20%: A lower fuel reserve, not a universal pressure-failure threshold. Contact your supplier to discuss the level and available delivery arrangements.
• Below 10%: Critical level. There is a real risk of running out entirely. An empty tank requires a pressure test and system relight before it can be safely refilled and used — an added cost and delay you want to avoid.

Check your gauge monthly during heating season. On properties using large amounts of propane for agricultural purposes, check it weekly during peak usage periods.

System Maintenance and Inspection

A propane system that is properly maintained poses very little risk. The components that deserve regular attention are:

Regulator

The regulator sits on top of your tank and controls the pressure of gas flowing to your home. Check its vent opening (a small hole or screen on the side) to ensure it is clear — wasp nests inside regulators are a surprisingly common summer hazard in eastern Colorado that causes systems to fail when you need them in fall. Never spray the regulator with water to clear it; contact us instead.

Gas Lines and Connections

Exposed copper or steel gas lines should be checked annually for corrosion, especially at underground-to-aboveground transition points. If your system uses flexible appliance connectors (the accordion-style lines behind stoves and water heaters), these should be replaced if you see cracks, kinks, or corrosion. Do not attempt to repair gas lines yourself — contact a qualified technician.

Tank Valve and Shut-off

Know where your main tank shut-off valve is and how to close it. The valve is at the top of the tank. Turning it clockwise closes the gas supply. You should be able to operate this comfortably — if it is stuck or corroded, let us know during your next delivery.

Appliance Connections

Gas stoves, furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces each have an appliance shut-off valve. Locate each one and confirm it turns easily. Know where your home's main gas shut-off is — typically outside near the meter or regulator.

Carbon Monoxide Awareness

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced when propane burns in insufficient oxygen — due to a malfunctioning appliance, a blocked flue or vent, or improper indoor use of outdoor equipment. Unlike propane's added odorant, carbon monoxide is completely odorless and colorless, making it impossible to detect without a properly functioning detector.

Every home with fuel-burning appliances should have at least one carbon monoxide detector installed within 15 feet of each sleeping area. Replace CO detector batteries annually and replace the units themselves every 5–7 years.

Symptoms of CO exposure include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and fatigue. If anyone in your household experiences these symptoms and you suspect CO exposure, evacuate immediately, call 911, and do not re-enter until cleared by emergency services.

Never use outdoor propane equipment — grills, camp stoves, patio heaters, portable generators — inside a home, garage, barn, or other enclosed space, even with a window open. The CO production from these devices in an enclosed space can reach dangerous levels within minutes.