Gas lines · Montebello, CA
Gas Leak Detection & Line Repair
Smell gas or hear hissing? Leave now.
- Get everyone out of the building immediately. Don't stop to open windows or look for the source.
- Don't use light switches, phones, doorbells, flames, garage openers or any electrical device in the affected area.
- From a safe location away from the building, call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200. Call 911 if there is immediate danger.
- Don't try to shut off, reset or repair gas equipment yourself, and don't go back inside until the utility or emergency responders say it is safe.
The number on this website connects you with independent contractors. It is not the gas utility or an emergency dispatch line. Source: SoCalGas natural gas leak safety.
SoCalGas 1-800-427-2200Once the utility has made the situation safe — or if you need testing for a reason other than an active smell — independent local contractors can provide same-day pressure testing, electronic leak detection and repair on the gas piping on your side of the meter.
When contractor gas testing makes sense
After the utility has responded and shut off or cleared the supply, its crew may tell you that the problem is on the customer-owned piping and must be repaired before service is restored. That is where a licensed contractor comes in. Other common reasons include a failed test during a renovation, a new appliance connection, a faint smell that the utility has already checked, or a home purchase inspection that flagged the gas line.
What a gas line assessment involves
- Pressure test — the customer-side piping is isolated and held at a test pressure; a drop indicates a leak somewhere in the tested section, not its exact location.
- Electronic combustible-gas detection — a calibrated detector is moved along accessible piping, fittings and appliance connectors to narrow down where gas is escaping.
- Leak-detection solution — applied to suspect joints so a contractor can confirm a leak visually.
- Section-by-section isolation — on longer or buried runs, sections are tested separately to narrow the search before any digging or wall opening.
These are professional procedures with specialized equipment. Homeowners should not pressurize, disconnect or relight gas equipment themselves.
Shutoff valves and earthquake valves
Many homes have appliance shutoff valves, and some have an automatic seismic (earthquake) shutoff valve or an excess-flow valve near the meter. During an assessment, a contractor can check whether these are present, accessible and in serviceable condition, and explain options. Resetting a tripped seismic valve or restoring service after a shutoff should be left to the utility or a qualified professional.
Repair and restoring service
Repairs range from replacing a single fitting or appliance connector to replacing a section of pipe. The contractor quotes the repair separately after testing. Depending on the work, a permit and inspection may be required, and the utility may need to restore service and relight appliances afterward — ask the contractor how that will be handled.
Gas leak vs. other smells
Natural gas is odorized to smell like rotten eggs. A sewer-gas smell from a dry drain trap is a drain problem, not a gas line problem. If you are not sure, treat it as a gas leak and follow the safety steps above. For water leaks — including the tracer-gas method used to locate water lines under a slab, which is unrelated to natural gas — see slab leak detection and thermal and acoustic methods.
Pricing for every service is in the cost guide.