If you smell gas in a Westminster home, leave first and call 911 and Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-2999. Water heater gas connections, new appliance lines and repairs after the meter need a plumber and a city permit, so call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Westminster.
Westminster homes and gas
Westminster is a suburban city north of Denver with farming roots, more than 3,000 acres of open space and an extensive trail network. Census survey figures put the median build year at 1987, with about 34% of homes built before 1980. That means a broad mix: older homes whose gas piping has been extended over the decades and newer neighborhoods with flexible tubing. Xcel Energy (Public Service Company of Colorado) supplies the city's gas.
The City of Westminster Building Division at 4800 West 92nd Avenue requires permits to install or replace water heaters, both tank and tankless, and to modify plumbing systems or relocate fixtures. Like-for-like fixture replacement does not need one. Permits run through eTRAKiT.
What to do now
- If you smell gas, leave the house right away.
- Call from outside: 911 and Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-2999.
- Wait for the all-clear.
- Have a plumber repair and test the piping after the meter.
- Replacing a water heater? Plan for the city permit, tank or tankless.
Symptoms and what usually causes them
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Rotten-egg smell | Leak: leave and call |
| Water heater pilot keeps failing | Thermocouple, venting or supply |
| Weak burners after adding an appliance | Undersized line |
| Hissing near the meter | Loose fitting on the house side |
| Rust on garage pipe | Corrosion on older iron |
Cost factors
- Tank swap versus tankless conversion
- Line length and upsizing
- Venting changes
- Access through finished space
- Permit and inspection
Tankless conversions are the most common reason Westminster homes need gas line upsizing, since a tankless unit at full fire can draw far more gas than the old tank. The plumber totals the home's appliances against pipe size and length. Plan the switch before the old tank fails so the permit and line work are not rushed.
Older homes near the original town and Bowles House area may also have capped stubs and old connectors worth replacing while the plumber is on site. Ask for the pressure test record and permit number when the work is done, and keep carbon monoxide alarms working on every level of any home with gas appliances.
Gas Line Services questions in Westminster
Does gas piping work here need a permit?
Does switching to a tankless water heater affect the gas line?
What do plumbers tend to find in the gas piping of older homes?
Should a home with gas appliances have carbon monoxide alarms?
More plumbing services in Westminster
Gas Line Services nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
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