If there's a gas smell in a National City home, leave first, then call 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343 from outside. Gas pipe past the meter is the owner's, and the City requires a plumbing permit for new work, repairs and alterations. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in National City.
What happens when you call
The number on this page puts you in touch with an independent plumber who takes gas jobs in National City. Tell them what's going on: a leak SDG&E has already flagged on your side of the meter, an appliance you want added, or a remodel that moves the range or water heater. If the house is one of the older ones in town, say so. The plumber can explain how the line will be tested and how the City permit fits into the schedule.
If you smell gas while reading this, go outside before doing anything else and call from there.
What changes the cost
- Condition of existing pipe: a single bad fitting is a short job, while a run of corroded old pipe may need replacing
- Access through a raised floor, finished walls or a slab
- Pipe size needed for the appliance you're adding
- Permit and inspection
- Restoring plaster, lath or trim in an older house
Local conditions in National City
National City is the second-oldest city in San Diego County, incorporated in 1887, and still has Victorian-era homes alongside mid-century and newer housing. Older houses often carry a mix of gas piping from different decades, with capped lines left from long-gone appliances and connections added during remodels. Those dead ends and transitions are where a plumber looks first.
SDG&E is the gas utility. The City of National City Planning and Building Department's Building Division requires plumbing permits for new work, repairs and alterations, and water heater replacement needs a permit as well. Plans can be submitted by email as a PDF, and the division can be reached at (619) 336-4210 with permit questions.
Being near the bay, outdoor pipe and fittings by the meter can corrode faster than in inland towns, so it's worth checking those exposed sections for rust.
Quick checklist before the visit
- Find the gas meter and make sure it isn't blocked by storage or plants
- Clear space around the water heater, furnace and the appliance in question
- Note any old capped gas stubs you've seen in walls or floors
- Have the new appliance's specs or model number handy
- Confirm carbon monoxide alarms are working
Gas Line Services questions in National City
Is a permit needed for gas piping work here?
What gas piping problems show up in older homes?
If I shut the gas off at the meter, can I turn it back on myself?
Does ocean air damage outdoor gas piping?
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