If there's a gas smell in a McLean home, leave first, then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1, from outside. Leak repairs and new piping beyond the meter are the homeowner's and are permitted by Fairfax County Land Development Services. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in McLean.
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McLean is an unincorporated part of Fairfax County about 8 miles northwest of downtown Washington, so the County issues the permits. Washington Gas serves Fairfax County, though its own territory page notes that some county areas are served by Columbia Gas. Your bill confirms which utility serves the house.
Fairfax County Land Development Services lists permits as required for water heater replacement and for new, repaired or relocated plumbing or gas fixtures, while a like-for-like fixture replacement in the same spot is exempt. Applications go through the PLUS system, and the LDS phone line is 703-222-0801 for questions about which permit fits a job.
The median McLean home was built in 1976. A house of that age may still have a modest trunk sized for a furnace and water heater, while a remodeled or rebuilt home can carry several high-demand appliances: professional-style ranges, multiple fireplaces, pool heaters and outdoor kitchens. Adding to either kind of system starts with a load calculation: the plumber totals the input ratings of every appliance and checks them against the pipe size and length from the meter.
Comparing common gas jobs
| Job | What's involved | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Fix a leaking fitting | Shut off, repair, test, relight | Corroded nearby fittings |
| Line for a pro-style range | New branch, shutoff, connector | High input rating may need a larger trunk |
| Outdoor kitchen or fire feature | Exterior or buried run with shutoff | 811 marking before digging |
| Generator or pool heater | Large-volume line from the meter | Meter capacity may need a utility check |
Signs something is off
- A sulfur odor anywhere in the house or yard: get out, then call
- A fireplace or range flame that is tall, yellow and smoky
- Appliances that lose power when several run at once
- Hissing near the meter or a valve
Timing
Outdoor gas projects are easiest to schedule in spring and summer, when trenching is practical and you can line them up with landscaping. Indoors, fall brings furnace and fireplace start-ups, which is when worn connectors and sticky valves tend to show. If a large appliance is going in, ask early whether the utility's meter can supply the added load, since that conversation can take time.
Gas Line Services questions in McLean
Which part of the gas piping is mine to look after?
Can gas be run to an outdoor grill, fire pit or patio heater?
Can a plumber add a gas line for a range, dryer or fireplace?
What does a yellow or lazy burner flame mean?
More plumbing services in McLean
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