What to do if you smell gas
- 1Leave the house right away and take everyone with you.
- 2Do not turn switches on or off, use a lighter, or start a car in the garage.
- 3Call 911 and your gas utility from outside, or from a neighbor's home.
- 4Do not re-enter until the utility says it is safe.
- 5Call us afterward for repairs. We do not respond to a gas smell before the utility does.
Gas line installation and repair in Downey, CA covers new gas lines for ranges, dryers, water heaters, outdoor grills, and fire features, plus repairs to leaking or damaged piping on the house side of the meter. Every job is permitted, pressure-tested, and inspected before gas is turned on.
Gas work is different from water work, because a mistake can be dangerous. That is why we start with the permit and end with a test, and why we are careful about what we promise.
What a gas line job usually covers
| Job | What it involves | Special notes |
|---|---|---|
| New gas line to a range or dryer | Run pipe from an existing line, add a shutoff valve | Needs a load check |
| Water heater gas connection | New or replacement flexible connector and shutoff | Part of a water heater install |
| Outdoor grill or fire pit line | Run pipe along or below ground to the appliance | Protected route, correct materials |
| Leak repair | Locate the leak, replace the section, test | Utility may need to shut off first |
| Gas line upgrade for a tankless heater | Larger pipe and meter capacity check | Tankless units draw more gas |
| Earthquake shutoff valve | Install a seismic-actuated valve at the meter side | Check local requirements |
How a code-compliant gas job is done
| Step | Why it matters | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | Allows the city to inspect the work | The contractor |
| Sizing | Ensures the pipe carries enough gas for all appliances | The plumber |
| Install | Correct materials, supports, and shutoff valves | The plumber |
| Pressure test | Proves the new piping holds before gas is on | The plumber, with the inspector |
| Inspection | The city checks the work | The city inspector |
Planning a gas appliance?
Call and tell us what you want to connect. We will explain the steps.
Why gas line work is mostly about age and load
Roughly 13,400 Downey homes date to the 1950s and about 3,000 more to the 1940s. Gas piping in those homes was sized for the appliances of that time. Adding a tankless water heater, a bigger range, or an outdoor kitchen can exceed what the original line can carry. A load check comes first.
The California Plumbing Code, built on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), covers fuel gas piping, including materials, sizing, and testing. We follow it, and the city's inspection confirms it.
The gas utility in Downey, Southern California Gas Company, owns the meter and the line up to it. If the issue is on that side, you call the utility. If it is on the house side, that is where we come in.
How a gas line job runs
Plan
Appliances, load, route, and permit are confirmed.
Install or repair
Piping, supports, and shutoff valves are set.
Test
Pressure test the piping before gas flows.
Inspect and light
The city inspects, then appliances are connected and tested.
What shapes a gas line estimate
Insurance note: a gas leak that causes a fire or explosion is a serious loss. Policies differ on what they cover. Call the gas utility and 911 first, then your insurer.
Gas line questions from Downey
Leave the house right away. Do not flip switches, use a lighter, or start a car in the garage. Call 911 and the gas utility from outside or from a neighbor's house. Do not call us first. We can help after the gas company has made the area safe.
In Downey, that is the gas utility, Southern California Gas Company. The utility owns and works on the meter and the line up to it. Piping on the house side of the meter is the homeowner's, and that is where we work.
Yes, in nearly every case. A gas line installation or repair needs a permit and a city inspection. The new piping is pressure-tested before the gas is turned on.
Black iron and corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) are common. CSST must be bonded correctly. The choice depends on the job, the route, and local code. We explain it before work starts.
Yes. We size the line for the load, run it with the right fittings and shutoff valves, and pressure-test it. An outdoor grill or fire pit line needs a plan for where the pipe runs and how it is protected.
It is an option that closes the gas if the ground shakes hard enough. Some cities require one in certain situations. Ask the city what applies, and we can discuss installation. It does not replace a good gas line.
A new gas appliance often goes with a plumbing upgrade. For water heaters, see water heater installation. For a tankless unit, see tankless water heater maintenance. We handle gas line calls in the Paramount area and other nearby cities as well.
Downey, in Los Angeles County, gets natural gas from SoCalGas, and the meter shutoff belongs to the utility. Homes from the Downey Theatre area to the Promenade at Downey should keep a wrench near the meter and know which way the quarter-turn valve closes.
Need a gas line installed or fixed?
Call the Downey line. We will start with the load and the permit.
☎ Call (562) 488-9614