Reston homes with natural gas are generally on Washington Gas, so a gas odor means leaving first and then calling 911 and 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1, from outside. Leak repairs and new piping on the house side of the meter go through Fairfax County permits. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Reston.
Reston was planned from 1964 onward around village centers and lakes, and its housing spans those early clusters through Reston Town Center's newer buildings. The median home was built in 1983. Fairfax County issues permits here, since Reston is not incorporated, and the County notes that Washington Gas serves most residents while Columbia Gas of Virginia covers some areas. Check the bill if you aren't sure which one you have.
What to do now
- Odor in the house: get out. Don't flip switches, use the garage door or light anything. Keep the door open behind you if it's on the way.
- Make the calls from outside. Dial 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1.
- Wait for the all-clear. The utility or fire department decides when it is safe to go back in. Leave relighting to them or a plumber.
- Book the house-side repair. If the leak is on your piping or an appliance connection, a plumber fixes and tests it.
- Planning new work? Write down the appliance, its BTU input rating and where it will go so the line can be sized correctly.
Symptom and likely cause
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Faint smell near the furnace closet | Loose union, flare fitting or appliance valve |
| Orange, sooty flame on the cooktop | Dirty burner or combustion air problem |
| New appliance runs weak when others are on | Undersized branch or trunk line |
| Pilot keeps dropping out | Thermocouple or gas control fault, sometimes low pressure |
| Hiss at the outdoor grill hookup | Worn quick-connect or damaged hose |
In stacked townhouse rows, a smell might be drifting from a neighbor's unit. If in doubt, treat it as your own and leave, then let the utility track down the source. Older clusters near the village centers can have gas pipe that has been modified through several owners, so a full leak test is worth asking for after any repair.
What shapes the cost
- The permit type: a like-for-like gas appliance swap uses a Household Appliance permit, while any new gas pipe needs a Residential Plumbing permit
- How far the line travels and how much finished space it crosses
- Whether the existing pipe can carry the added load
- Black steel or flexible stainless tubing, plus valves and fittings
- Restoring walls and ceilings, and any community association rules for exterior work
Gas Line Services questions in Reston
I smell gas inside. What should I do first?
Does new gas piping need a permit here?
Can gas be run to an outdoor grill, fire pit or patio heater?
Where should carbon monoxide alarms go in a home with gas appliances?
More plumbing services in Reston
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