Gas Line Services in Redlands, CA

Who do I call about gas in Redlands?

For anything involving an odor, the meter or the line from the street, SoCalGas, which serves Redlands. For everything after the meter, a plumber. That second category covers most service calls: a leak at a union in the water heater closet, a corroded valve that will not close, a new branch for a gas range, or a line out to the backyard. The City of Redlands runs water and sewer through its Municipal Utilities & Engineering Department, but it does not supply gas, so the city utility is not the call for gas problems.

Do I need a permit, and how does it work here?

The City of Redlands Building & Safety Division, through its One Stop Permit Center at 35 Cajon Street, issues plumbing and mechanical permits. A water heater permit can be started on the city's online portal, but it has to be paid for in person before it is issued, which is worth knowing if you are replacing a gas water heater on a tight schedule. New gas piping and appliance additions generally go through permit, pressure test and inspection. The plumber usually takes care of the application and meets the inspector.

What should I expect inside an older house?

Housing age varies widely across Redlands, so no single number fits every street. In general, the older the house, the more likely its gas piping has been extended and altered over the years. Common findings in older homes anywhere include capped stubs from appliances long gone, iron fittings with old thread sealant, shutoff valves that are frozen in place, and flexible connectors of a type no longer made. Newer homes are more likely to use corrugated stainless tubing, which needs a proper bonding connection. Either way, a pressure test after the work shows whether the whole system is tight.

Local note

Redlands sits in earthquake country near the base of the mountains, and colder nights here can keep furnaces running more than on the valley floor. Before winter, a plumber can check that the water heater is strapped, the connectors are in good shape and the main shutoff still turns. If you plan to dig for a patio line, call 811 first.