College Park homes with gas are on Washington Gas, so if you smell gas, leave the house first and then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1. For leaks past the meter, new lines and gas appliance replacements, call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in College Park.

College Park mixes early 20th-century houses in Calvert Hills and Old Town with mid-century neighborhoods and newer apartments along Baltimore Avenue. The city's median home was built in 1979, so a lot of gas piping here has been extended, patched and reconnected over decades. Washington Gas is the utility, and BGE serves some other parts of Prince George's County, so the bill is the final word on which company you call.
What to do right now
- If you smell gas, go outside. Don't flip switches, unplug anything or use the garage door opener on the way out.
- Call from a safe distance. Dial 911, then Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1.
- Let the utility clear the house. Wait for Washington Gas or the fire department to say it's safe before going back in.
- Book the repair. If the leak is on the house side of the meter, the utility may shut off service until a plumber fixes it and the line passes a test.
- No odor, just a concern? Note what you saw, such as yellow flames or soot, and call a plumber for a daytime visit.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Faint odor near the range | Loose or worn flexible connector, or a valve at the stove |
| Pilot light won't stay lit | Thermocouple, draft problem or low gas supply to that branch |
| Yellow, lazy flames | Air mixture off, dirty burner or poor combustion air |
| Appliances starve when the furnace kicks on | Undersized pipe after an appliance was added |
| Soot near the water heater | Venting or combustion problem that needs a prompt look |
What affects the cost
A tightened fitting or a new connector is a short visit. A new branch to a basement dryer or a kitchen range takes longer, and the price climbs with the length of the run, how much finished wall or ceiling is in the way, and whether the trunk line has to be upsized. Permits matter too: in Prince George's County, WSSC Water, not the county, permits and inspects gasfitting, and homeowners may not do any gasfitting work themselves. Water heater replacements need a permit, and WSSC requires gas appliance work to be done by a WSSC license holder. Older houses in Calvert Hills can add time if a run passes through plaster walls or an old basement.
Gas Line Services questions in College Park
Can I do my own gas piping work?
Should the old flexible connector behind my stove be replaced?
What problems show up in the gas piping of older houses?
Does winter weather affect gas appliances and piping?
More plumbing services in College Park
Gas Line Services nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
- Washington Gas: emergency leak line
- City of College Park: Washington Gas presentation (College Park Woods)
- WSSC Water: plumbing and fuel gas inspections
- WSSC Water: permit information for homeowners
- Prince George's County DPIE: residential plumbing permits
- College Park housing by year built (city-stats.com, Census ACS)
- College Park, Maryland (Wikipedia)
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