If a Colton home smells of gas, leave first and call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 once you are outside. For leaks and new work on the house side of the meter, call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Colton.
Colton gas work in brief
Colton, the railroad town known as the Hub City, is on SoCalGas's list of communities served. About half of its homes were built before 1980, with a median build year of 1979, and the biggest single share went up in the 1980s. That means plenty of original iron gas piping that has been added to over time. Colton's water is also hard, averaging about 207 mg/L for its Colton/Rialto sources, which speeds scale buildup in gas water heaters. The City of Colton Building & Safety Division requires a permit to replace, relocate or install a water heater, so a gas heater swap is permitted work here. Colton runs its own water and wastewater utilities, but it does not supply gas, so the city's after-hours water line is not the number for a gas odor. That call goes to SoCalGas and 911. In homes from the 1970s and 1980s, a plumber called for one appliance will often point out a seized valve or an old connector nearby; replacing those during the same visit avoids a second trip.
What to do now
- Smell gas? Leave. No switches, lighters or phones until you are outside.
- Call 911 and SoCalGas from a safe distance.
- Keep everyone out until you get the all-clear.
- Leave the meter valve alone if SoCalGas has shut it; the utility turns service back on.
- Schedule a plumber for house-side repairs, then have appliances relit and checked.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Popping or rumbling from the water heater | Scale and sediment on the tank bottom, made worse by hard water |
| Odor near the heater closet | Leaking gas valve, union or connector |
| Weak flames when several appliances run | Undersized or partly blocked supply line |
| Shutoff valve will not turn | Old valve seized in place |
| Rust on pipe where it enters the ground | Corrosion on exterior iron piping |
Cost factors
- Condition of the existing pipe. Older systems may need valves or sections replaced along with the main job.
- Distance and route. Longer runs and finished walls add time.
- Load. A tankless heater or extra appliances may require a larger line.
- Water heater work. Replacing, relocating or installing one needs a City of Colton permit.
- Inspection. New gas piping is pressure tested and inspected before use.
Gas Line Services questions in Colton
Does gas piping work here need a permit?
What do plumbers tend to find in the gas piping of older homes?
Will a tankless water heater need a bigger gas line?
Do I need to call 811 before digging near a buried gas line?
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