Anyone in Scottsdale who smells gas should leave the building and call 911 and your gas utility from outside; homes on propane call 911 and their propane supplier. For repairs or new piping after the meter or tank, call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale treats gas piping as plumbing. The city requires a plumbing permit to install, alter, reconstruct or repair any gas system, and it spells out that this covers both natural gas and propane line work. Even a gas or electric water heater replacement needs a Minimum Plumbing Permit, though that one skips plan review. Applications go through the SPUR online portal or the One Stop Shop on Indian School Road.
The median Scottsdale home was built around 1990, so many houses are on piping that is now decades old. Remodels in that housing stock often move kitchens, add outdoor fireplaces or swap tank heaters for tankless units, and each of those changes the load the original line was sized for.
What to do right now
- If you smell gas, go outside. Don't use switches, phones or the garage door opener on the way out.
- Call 911 and your gas utility from a safe spot. Use the emergency number printed on your gas bill. On propane, call 911 and your propane supplier.
- Let the utility or fire crew clear the house. Don't go back in or try to relight anything yourself.
- Then book the repair. Once the source is shut off, a plumber fixes the piping on your side and tests it.
- For planned work, gather details. Note the appliance, its BTU rating and where it will go, so the line can be sized for the permit.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Faint odor near the water heater | Loose union, valve or connector at the heater |
| Yellow, sooty burner flame | Poor combustion air or a burner needing adjustment |
| New appliance runs weakly when others are on | Undersized supply line for the total load |
| Rust or flaking paint on rooftop pipe | Years of sun and weather on exterior steel |
| Pilot keeps going out | Thermocouple, draft or supply pressure issue |
What affects the cost
- Run length and the route, including attic, roof or trench sections
- Upsizing an existing trunk to feed added appliances
- Natural gas versus propane fittings and regulators
- The Minimum Plumbing Permit or full plumbing permit and inspection
- Finishing work on stucco, tile or landscaping after the line is in
Gas Line Services questions in Scottsdale
Does gas piping work need a permit here?
How can I tell which gas utility serves my address?
My home runs on propane. Who handles a leak or new piping?
Does desert sun and heat affect outdoor gas piping?
More plumbing services in Scottsdale
Gas Line Services nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: