Gas heating repair and safety Heating Repair Los Angeles: Gas Wall Heaters, Floor Furnaces and Safety Checks

The cost depends on the type of heater, the part that failed, how easy the heater is to reach and whether gas piping work or a permit is needed. A thermocouple is a much smaller job than replacing a gas valve or rerouting a vent. We diagnose the problem first and give you a free estimate before any work begins.

A pilot that lights but goes out when you release the knob usually points to a worn thermocouple or a dirty pilot assembly. Drafts and a weak gas supply can also cause it. If you have relit it following the instructions on the unit and it still will not stay lit, have a technician replace the faulty part rather than repeatedly relighting it.

A thermocouple is a small sensor that sits in the pilot flame. While it is hot, it produces a tiny electrical signal that keeps the gas valve open. Over time heat wears it out, or it can be bent out of the flame or lose its connection. When that happens the valve closes and the pilot goes out.

Yes. Many older Los Angeles homes still use floor furnaces, and we service them. Repairs often involve the pilot, thermocouple, gas supply, shutoff valve or venting in the crawlspace. Because some of these units are very old, parts can be hard to find. If a unit has an unsafe condition that cannot be repaired, we tell you plainly and make sure its gas is off.

An older wall heater can be safe if it is vented correctly, burns cleanly and is maintained. The risks rise when venting is damaged, the burner is dirty or the unit is damaged inside. Have it inspected before the cold season, keep furniture and curtains clear of the grille, and install carbon monoxide alarms nearby.

Yes, we strongly recommend them, and California requires carbon monoxide alarms in most homes that have gas appliances or an attached garage. Place them on each level and near bedrooms, test them regularly and replace them on the schedule listed on the alarm. They are inexpensive protection against a gas you cannot see or smell.

Get everyone, including pets, outside into fresh air right away and call 911. Do not go back in to look for the source. Once responders say the home is safe, have the heater and any other gas appliances inspected before using them again. Headaches, dizziness or nausea in several people at once are warning signs too.

A dusty burning smell for the first few cycles of the season is common because dust has settled on the burner and inside the heater. It should fade quickly. If you smell gas, do not touch the heater or any switches. Leave and call 911 or SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 from outside. For a persistent burning or electrical smell, turn the heater off at its switch or breaker and call for service.

Once a year, before the heating season, is a sensible schedule for most homes. A yearly check lets a technician clean the burner and pilot, test the thermocouple, check gas connections for leaks and look at the venting. Heaters in rental units or that run many hours benefit from the same yearly attention.

Many repairs, such as replacing a thermocouple, cleaning a pilot assembly or replacing a shutoff valve or connector, are finished in a single visit once the part is on hand. Gas control valves, venting corrections or gas piping changes can take longer, especially if a part must be ordered or a permit is needed.

Yes. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. A heater that fails on a cold night can be looked at the same night in many cases. Call (213) 281-4751 and we will schedule the next available technician to check the heater safely.

Adding or altering gas piping to a heater generally requires a permit from LADBS or the local city building department. The permit leads to an inspection that confirms safe gas connections. We handle the permit process for work that requires it and pressure test new piping before gas is restored.

Gas burners should normally burn a steady blue. A yellow, lazy or flickering flame can mean the burner is dirty or not getting enough air, which can increase carbon monoxide. Turn the heater off, make sure your CO alarms are working, and schedule an inspection before using it again.

Homeowners can safely relight a pilot by following the label instructions, keep the grille clear and dust it, and test their CO alarms. Work on gas valves, burners, thermocouples, venting and gas connections should be left to a licensed professional because mistakes can cause gas leaks or carbon monoxide problems.

Yes, on the plumbing side. Hot water boiler and radiant systems are closed loops of piping, valves and fittings. We locate and repair leaks, replace failed valves and fittings, and check the gas supply and venting on the appliance that heats the water. Because these systems vary, we inspect yours before giving a free estimate.

When two gas appliances stop at the same time, the problem is often the gas supply rather than the appliances. The utility may have shut off service, a gas valve may be closed, or an earthquake valve may have tripped. If you smell gas, leave and call from outside. Otherwise call us to check the supply.

Yes. Gas wall furnaces are common in older LA apartment buildings, duplexes and small houses because they need no ductwork. We service them for homeowners, tenants and property managers. Landlords can schedule a pre-winter check of multiple units to catch pilot, venting and gas connection problems before tenants need heat.

A safety check typically includes cleaning and inspecting the burner and pilot, testing the thermocouple, checking the gas shutoff valve and connector, testing gas connections for leaks, and looking at the vent connector and flue for rust, gaps and proper draft. We point out any problems found and give a free estimate on repairs.

Clicking means the igniter is trying to spark. If no flame appears, the pilot may not be getting gas because a valve is closed or the pilot orifice is dirty, or the igniter may be misaligned or worn. Check that the heater's gas shutoff valve is open. If it still does not light, stop and call for service.

A weak thermocouple can hold the valve open at first and then drop out as conditions change. A dirty burner, a weak gas supply or a safety switch reacting to overheating or poor venting can also shut the burner down. Because venting can be involved, have it checked rather than repeatedly relighting it.

Yes. Each gas appliance should have an accessible shutoff valve so it can be turned off for service or in an emergency without shutting off the whole house. Older homes sometimes have valves that are missing, hidden or seized. We can add or replace shutoff valves as part of a heater repair.

First make sure you do not smell gas. If you do, leave and call from outside. If not, follow the lighting instructions printed on the heater's label exactly, which usually involve turning the control to off, waiting, then lighting the pilot. If it will not light or stay lit after following the label, call for service.

Yes, financing is available for larger repairs. Ask about it when you receive your free estimate. We also accept cash, credit and debit cards, checks, Venmo and Zelle, and new customers receive 10% off a first service. Your estimate shows the full scope before you decide.

We provide a workmanship warranty on completed work, and your technician explains what it covers with your estimate. Manufacturer warranties on parts are separate and depend on the product installed. Keep your paperwork so any future claim is easy to make.

We provide heating repair Los Angeles homeowners and businesses can rely on in the city and more than 100 communities within about 25 miles across LA County. Call (213) 281-4751 to confirm your location and schedule a visit. Our technicians speak English and Spanish, and we serve homeowners, landlords and businesses alike.