Gas piping is not a homeowner project. Don't run a gas line for a grill, a fire pit, or a dryer yourself, and don't hire anyone who can't show you an Arizona license that covers gas work. A small mistake can mean a leak, and a leak can mean a fire.
The rest of this page covers who should do the work, what the job involves, and what a fair bid should include.
What if I smell gas?
Start here, whether or not you're adding a line.
If you smell gas, the rotten-egg smell that utilities add on purpose, leave the house right away. Take everyone with you. Do not flip switches, use a lighter, or use a phone inside. From outside, call 911 and your gas utility. Your gas bill shows who that is. In the Valley that is often Southwest Gas, and in parts of Mesa it is the City of Mesa's own gas utility.
Do not try to find the leak. Do not turn valves or tighten fittings. Once the utility says it's safe, a licensed plumber can check the line. Our plumbing emergency guide lays out the order of steps.
Who should run a gas line for a grill in Arizona?
Not you, and not a friend who has "done it before." Ask any contractor to show you their Arizona contractor license before you sign anything, and ask them to confirm that it covers gas work. You can look a license up with the state's Registrar of Contractors, known as the ROC.
Why not do it yourself? Because gas piping has to be sized, sealed, routed, and tested correctly, and the mistakes aren't always visible. A fitting that looks fine can still leak. Where your city requires a permit and an inspection, those add a second check. Even a handy homeowner should leave gas piping to a qualified contractor.
Do I need a permit?
Often, yes, but it depends on your city. Many cities require a permit and an inspection for new gas piping. The rules are set locally by each city, town or county, not by the state as a whole, so what's true in one Valley city may not be true in the next.
You can ask your city's building department, or ask the plumber how permits work where you live. A licensed plumber should be able to tell you whether your job needs one and who pulls it. If a contractor says a permit isn't needed and won't explain why, ask again.
An inspection is a second set of eyes on the work. On a job where a mistake is dangerous, that's a good thing, not a hassle.
Natural gas or propane?
Your appliance and your house decide.
- Natural gas arrives through a utility line to your meter. A plumber extends piping from an existing line to the grill, fire pit, or dryer.
- Propane comes from a tank. It uses different regulators and fittings.
Many grills and fire pits are built for one fuel or the other, and the manual will tell you which. Check before you buy. Don't swap parts to make an appliance run on a different fuel unless the manufacturer says how and a licensed plumber does the work.
What does the job involve, and what should a bid cover?
Here's what a plumber looks at, so you can tell a real bid from a vague one.
- Capacity. The plumber checks that your existing gas line can supply a new appliance along with everything already on it. A line that's too small can starve the new grill or your water heater.
- The route. The line has to get from the existing gas piping to the new spot. That may mean going through a wall, along the outside of the house, or underground. Hard caliche soil, common in the Valley, can make trenching more work.
- A shutoff. A gas shutoff valve near the appliance lets you stop the flow without going back to the meter.
- Testing. Once the piping is in, the plumber tests it for leaks before the gas is used. Ask how the test is done.
- The permit and inspection, where your city requires them.
- The connection to the grill, fire pit, or dryer, and, for a dryer, proper venting.
Cost depends on these things: how far the line runs, whether it goes through a wall or the ground, how many appliances it serves, and whether the existing line needs work. A good bid names these items. It should say what's included, what isn't, and who pulls the permit. Get the bid in writing, and ask whether the price includes the leak test and any repair to the wall or yard where the line runs.
With us, you approve the price before any work starts. Ask any contractor for the same. If the cost is a stretch, ask about financing for qualifying customers.
When to call a licensed plumber
Call before you buy the appliance if you can. A plumber can tell you where a line can go and whether your gas supply can handle the load, which can keep you from buying the wrong grill or fire pit. Have the appliance's manual or model number ready for that first call, because it tells the plumber what fuel the appliance uses and how much gas it needs. Bring every question you have, including the ones that feel basic. With gas, no question is too basic.
If you smell gas, the order is always the same: get out, call 911 and your gas utility, then call us. We answer 24/7 through our emergency plumber line. To plan a new line, start with our gas line service page and give us a call.
Common Questions
Permit and inspection rules are set locally by your city, town or county, so the answer depends on where you live. Ask your city's building department, or ask your licensed plumber how permits are handled for your job.
Do not. Gas piping is not a homeowner project, and a small mistake can cause a leak, a fire, or an explosion. Ask any contractor to show their Arizona license, confirm it covers gas work, and tell you how they test the line before it is used.
Leave the house right away and call 911 and your gas utility from outside. Do not flip switches, use a lighter, or try to find the leak.
It depends on what you have and what your appliance is built for. Natural gas comes through a utility line, and propane comes from a tank. The two use different equipment, so match the appliance to the fuel.
