Alpine homes on natural gas are served by SDG&E, so a gas smell means leaving and calling 911 and SDG&E at 1-800-611-7343 from outside; if your home uses propane, call 911 and your propane supplier. Permits for unincorporated Alpine go through the County. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Alpine.
Signs the gas system needs a plumber
- An odor of sulfur or rotten eggs. Leave the house and call from outside.
- A furnace that cycles on and off or won't stay lit on cold nights
- Rusted pipe or fittings where the line enters the house
- A long buried line to a garage, shop or guest house with unknown age
- A noticeable drop in flame size when several appliances run at once
- Plans to add a range, generator or water heater
Gas service in Alpine
A County environmental report states that SDG&E provides electricity and natural gas throughout San Diego County. It doesn't say whether gas mains reach every Alpine parcel, and it doesn't address propane. Some backcountry homes use propane or are all-electric. If yours uses propane, the supplier handles the tank and regulator; the piping from there to the appliances is yours. On utility gas, SDG&E owns the meter and everything up to it.
Alpine is an unincorporated community, so permits for gas piping go through the County of San Diego rather than a city. The plumber can tell you how the permit will be filed for your address.
The median Alpine home was built around 1986, and about 38.1% were built before 1980. Rural lots here often have long runs to outbuildings, and older homes may have lines that were added in stages. Alpine also sits higher than the coast, so winter nights are colder and heating appliances work harder, which is when weak spots show up.
What affects the cost
- Distance from the meter or propane tank to the appliance
- Rocky or sloped ground along a buried route
- Pipe size needed for the combined load of the house
- Utility gas versus propane fittings and regulators
- Permit and inspection with the County
What happens when you call
An independent plumber who works in Alpine and the surrounding East County will take the call. Tell them whether you're on SDG&E gas or propane, what you need, and roughly how far the work is from the meter or tank. They can explain the testing, permitting and relighting steps for your situation.
Gas Line Services questions in Alpine
How can I find out whether utility gas reaches my property?
What if my home runs on propane instead of utility gas?
Is a permit needed for gas piping work here?
Is an earthquake-actuated gas shutoff valve worth installing?
More plumbing services in Alpine
Gas Line Services nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
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