Gas Line Services in Suitland, MD

Which gas company do I call in Suitland?

Both Washington Gas and BGE serve parts of Prince George's County, and the gas utility for a given Suitland street is printed on the gas bill. Keep that bill handy, or save the utility's emergency number in your phone now, so you aren't hunting for it while standing in the yard. Either way, the order doesn't change: leave the house, then call 911 and the gas company. The utility owns the meter and the line from the street; the pipe that leaves the meter and runs to your appliances is the homeowner's.

Can I handle gas piping myself, or does it need a permit?

In Prince George's County, WSSC Water, not the county, issues and inspects gasfitting permits, and WSSC does not allow homeowners to do any gasfitting work. Replacing a gas water heater or furnace has to be done by a plumber or gasfitter holding a WSSC license, and a new branch line goes through WSSC ePermitting and inspection. Suitland is unincorporated, so building permits for remodels come from the county's DPIE. A plumber will pull the right permit for the job and schedule the inspection.

What should I expect from gas piping in a Suitland house?

Suitland grew quickly after federal offices arrived during World War II, and the median home was built around 1973. Many houses still have their original threaded iron gas pipe, which can last for decades but has usually been altered along the way. Typical findings include an old range connector that predates current standards, a dryer line that was tapped off a branch never meant to carry it, valves that leak at the stem when turned, and capped stubs left from appliances that are long gone. Garden apartments and townhouses add another wrinkle: piping can run through shared walls or common utility rooms, so the plumber may need building access.

A local note

When you call, have the gas bill nearby, describe the appliance and where it sits relative to the meter, and mention any odor, hiss or yellow flame you noticed. If you have gas appliances, keep carbon monoxide alarms on every floor and near the bedrooms, and test them monthly.