District Heights is in Washington Gas territory, so if you smell gas, leave the house first and then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (927-4427), option 1, from outside. For leak repairs after the meter, new appliance lines and gas water heater or furnace work, call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in District Heights.
Gas piping in District Heights homes
District Heights is a small, fully built-out city that started as farmland. Many of its Cape Cod-style homes went up in the 1940s, when developers built affordable single-family houses with FHA financing, and the city's median home was built in 1968. Gas piping in the oldest houses has often been reworked several times: a coal or oil system replaced with a gas furnace, a basement laundry added, a kitchen updated. Each change left its own fittings, and those joints are where leaks usually start.
Washington Gas serves Prince George's County, though some areas are served by BGE, so the bill confirms your company. District Heights is a municipality, and the county publishes a matrix showing which building permits the city handles and which the county handles. Plumbing and gas permits are simpler: Prince George's County DPIE issues none, and WSSC Water issues and inspects them all. Water heater replacement needs a permit, and WSSC requires gas water heater and furnace replacements to be done by a plumber or gasfitter holding a WSSC license.
Choosing the fix
| Problem | Common fix | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Leaking valve or union | Replace the part, leak-test | Small leaks rarely fix themselves |
| Stub left from an old appliance | Cap properly or remove | An open or loosely plugged stub is a hazard |
| New dryer or range on an old line | Check sizing, add a branch | Overloaded lines starve appliances |
| Corroded pipe in a damp basement | Replace the affected run | Surface rust can hide thinning walls |
Signs to act on
- Gas smell indoors: get out and call 911 and Washington Gas from outside
- A hiss you can hear at a fitting
- Yellow or uneven flames, or soot on cookware
- Rust flaking from gas pipe in the basement
Seasonal timing
Heating season is when gas demand peaks, so a line that barely keeps up in fall can fall short in a January cold snap. Have aging connections checked before the weather turns. Basement dampness after heavy summer storms can speed corrosion on exposed pipe, so a quick look after a wet season is worthwhile.
Gas Line Services questions in District Heights
What problems show up in the gas piping of older houses?
Does replacing a gas water heater or furnace need a permit?
What happens to a gas line that is no longer used?
Does winter weather affect gas appliances and piping?
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