Recognizing a Gas Leak: Act First, Ask Later
A rotten-egg smell (added intentionally to natural gas for detection), a hissing sound near a line or appliance, dead patches in vegetation near an underground line, or unexplained dizziness are all warning signs worth acting on immediately, not investigating slowly.
What to Do Right Now
Don't flip any light switches, don't light a flame, don't use your phone inside the house. Get everyone outside immediately and, once safely away, call your gas utility's emergency line first — they can remotely shut off service faster than anyone else — then call us for the repair once it's confirmed safe to proceed.
How We Detect Gas Leaks Professionally
Electronic Gas Detectors
Handheld sensors detect gas concentration in the air far more sensitively than the human nose, letting us trace a leak's approximate location along a line before opening anything.
Soap Bubble Testing
For accessible fittings and joints, applying a soap solution and watching for bubbles is a simple, reliable way to pinpoint the exact leak location once the general area is identified electronically.
Pressure Drop Testing
Isolating a section of line and monitoring for pressure loss over time confirms whether a leak exists in that section at all, even before it's visually or electronically located — useful for underground or hard-to-access runs.
New Gas Line Installation
Whether it's a new range, a gas dryer, or a full appliance conversion from electric, installation follows a consistent process.
Permitting and Planning
Gas line work in Arlington requires a county permit and, in many cases, coordination with the gas utility for the final connection — we handle this rather than leaving it to a homeowner to navigate.
Sizing the Line Correctly
Line diameter needs to account for the total BTU demand of everything it will serve, including future appliances if you're planning ahead. Undersizing causes performance issues with every appliance on the line, not just the newest one.
Pressure Testing Before Use
After installation, the line is pressure tested to confirm there are no leaks before any appliance is connected or the line is put into service — this step isn't optional and is never skipped to save time.
Gas Fireplace Connections
Gas fireplaces are convenient enough that the line feeding them often gets forgotten until something goes wrong right when the weather turns cold. Before the first cold-weather use each year, confirming the shut-off valve operates smoothly and there's no smell of gas around the connection point takes a few minutes and catches issues early. The flexible gas connector linking the fireplace to the line can degrade over years, especially with movement from cleaning or nearby renovation work — a worn connector is a common, fixable weak point we check during any fireplace-related service call.
Is Switching From Electric to Gas Worth It?
This decision usually comes down to upfront installation cost against long-term operating savings and performance preference. If gas service isn't already run to the relevant part of the house, adding a new line is a real cost to factor in beyond the appliance price. Gas appliances, particularly water heaters and ranges, often cost less to run month-to-month than electric equivalents at typical regional rates, which can offset installation cost over time — we can walk through the specific numbers for your situation during a quote.
Ready to Schedule?
Licensed, upfront, and available 24/7. Call (571) 202-6461 or request a free quote online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call first for a suspected gas leak — the utility or a plumber?
The gas utility's emergency line first, since they can remotely shut off service faster than anyone else. Call us for the repair once it's confirmed safe.
Is it safe to search for a gas leak myself?
Basic smell and sound checks are fine, but never use an open flame to search, and evacuate immediately if you strongly suspect a leak.
Do I need a permit to add a new gas appliance?
Yes, in most cases — new gas line work or extensions typically require an Arlington County permit, which we handle as part of the job.
What is Virginia 811 and do I need to call it?
A free utility-marking service required before most digging projects, gas lines included — we coordinate this before any excavation-related gas work.
How often should a gas fireplace connection be checked?
Annually, ideally before the start of heating season, is a reasonable interval to catch a degrading connector early.