Lanham is in Washington Gas territory, so if you smell gas, leave the house first and then call 911 and Washington Gas at 844-WASHGAS (927-4427), option 1, from a safe place. For leaks after the meter, new appliance lines and gas water heater or furnace work, call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Lanham.
Gas service and permits in Lanham
Washington Gas serves Prince George's County, though some areas of the county are served by BGE, so if you're unsure, the name on your gas bill decides. The Lanham mailing address, ZIP 20706, covers more ground than the Lanham community itself, including Seabrook, but permit rules are the same throughout because all of it is unincorporated county land. Prince George's County DPIE issues building permits and states that it issues no plumbing permits; WSSC Water issues and inspects those, including gasfitting. Water heater replacement needs a permit, and WSSC requires gas water heater and furnace replacements to be done by a plumber or gasfitter holding a WSSC license.
Lanham is a fully built-out inner suburb, and its median home was built in 1969. Gas piping from that period is usually threaded iron and often still serviceable, but fifty-plus years of appliance changes leave their mark: valves that have been cycled until they weep, connectors that are older than the stove, and dryer or water heater branches added without anyone checking the total load on the line.
Repair or replace?
| What you're seeing | Typical fix | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leak at one valve or union | Replace the fitting and retest | Often a single visit |
| Old connector behind range or dryer | New connector and shutoff | Good to do during an appliance swap |
| Weak flames when several appliances run | Upsize the branch or main run | WSSC permit and inspection |
| Several leaks along original pipe | Replace sections or rerun the line | Plumber compares cost of patching vs new pipe |
Signs worth a call
- Sulfur smell indoors: get out, then call 911 and Washington Gas
- Hissing at the meter or a shutoff
- Yellow or flickering burner flames
- Soot around a vent or on the water heater jacket
Seasonal timing
Lanham's cold winters put the heaviest load on gas lines, so the first hard freeze is when a marginal line or tired regulator tends to show up. Early fall is a good window for a check. Outdoor projects like grill lines go smoother in spring and summer, once Miss Utility has marked the yard.
Gas Line Services questions in Lanham
Who owns the gas pipe between the meter and my appliances?
Should the old flexible connector behind my stove be replaced?
Does replacing a gas water heater or furnace need a permit?
Does winter weather affect gas appliances and piping?
More plumbing services in Lanham
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