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When the ground shakes, you won’t have to worry about gas leaks turning a bad situation into a catastrophic one. Your earthquake shut-off valve kicks in automatically at magnitude 5.1 or higher, cutting off natural gas flow even when you’re not home.
No more wondering if you remembered to shut off the gas. No more racing to your meter while everything’s shaking around you. Just automatic protection that works when California’s unpredictable seismic activity strikes Diamond Springs and the surrounding El Dorado County area.
One in four fires after an earthquake comes from natural gas leaks. Your valve eliminates that risk, giving you one less thing to worry about when you’re dealing with everything else an earthquake throws at you.
We’ve been serving Diamond Springs, Placerville, and El Dorado County for over two decades. We’re the local plumbing company that understands this area’s unique needs—from the older homes in historic Diamond Springs to the newer developments spreading through the foothills.
As a family-owned business with deep roots in Northern California, we know what it’s like living in earthquake country. We’ve seen what happens when homes aren’t prepared, and we’ve helped hundreds of families get the protection they need.
Our 5-star reputation comes from doing the work right the first time, showing up when we say we will, and treating every installation like it’s protecting our own family. Because in a small community like ours, your neighbors become family.
We start with a free estimate at your Diamond Springs property, examining your gas meter setup and explaining exactly what’s involved. No surprises, no hidden costs—just straight talk about what you need.
The installation happens on your house side of the gas meter, downstream from where the gas company’s line ends. We shut off your gas service temporarily, install the certified earthquake valve, test everything thoroughly, and restore your service. Most installations take just a few hours.
Your valve uses a precision-engineered steel ball mechanism that responds to horizontal earthquake motion. When seismic activity reaches magnitude 5.1 or higher, the valve automatically closes, stopping gas flow to your home. After the earthquake, a licensed professional can reset the valve once we’ve confirmed there are no leaks in your system.
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California law requires earthquake shut-off valves for all new construction since 2000, and many counties now require them when homes are sold. Even if you’re not legally required to install one yet, your insurance company might be pushing for it—and offering discounts up to 5% or more when you do.
Diamond Springs sits in El Dorado County, where we’re no strangers to seismic activity. Living in the Sierra Nevada foothills means we’re connected to the same fault systems that affect the rest of Northern California. The USGS says there’s a 99% chance of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake hitting somewhere in California in the next 30 years.
Your valve must be California State Architect certified and installed by a licensed plumbing contractor—that’s us. We use only approved models that meet all state requirements, and we handle any necessary permits. The typical cost runs $300-$600 including the valve, and we offer free estimates so you know exactly what you’re looking at before we start.
If your home was built before 2000, you probably don’t have one unless a previous owner installed it. Check near your gas meter on the house side—you’ll see a valve with a sight glass if one’s installed.
California requires them for all new construction since 2000 and for homes being sold in many counties. Even if you’re not legally required to have one, your insurance company might require it for coverage or offer discounts for installation. Given that Diamond Springs is in earthquake country and most of us live within 30 miles of an active fault, it’s smart protection regardless of requirements.
If you’re unsure, we’ll come out for a free estimate and let you know exactly what you need. No pressure, just honest assessment of your situation.
Your valve automatically closes when it detects earthquake motion of magnitude 5.1 or higher. A steel ball inside the valve responds to horizontal shaking, triggering the shutoff mechanism that stops gas flow to your home.
This happens instantly and doesn’t require electricity or any action from you. Even if you’re not home, the valve protects your property from gas leaks that could lead to fires or explosions. After the earthquake, the valve stays closed until a licensed professional resets it and confirms your gas lines are safe.
The valve won’t trigger from minor vibrations like heavy trucks or small earthquakes under 5.1 magnitude. It’s calibrated specifically for the kind of seismic activity that could actually damage your gas lines.
Most installations in Diamond Springs run between $300-$600, including the valve and all labor. The exact cost depends on your specific meter setup and any additional plumbing work needed to make the installation clean and code-compliant.
We provide free estimates so you know the exact cost before we start. Our pricing includes everything—the certified valve, all necessary fittings, labor, and any permits required. As a family-owned local business, we keep our overhead low and pass those savings on to you.
Many homeowners find that insurance discounts help offset the installation cost over time. Some companies offer 5% or more off your premium when you install earthquake safety features like automatic shut-off valves.
California law requires that seismic automatic gas shut-off valves be installed by a licensed plumbing contractor. This isn’t a DIY project—working with natural gas lines requires specific training, proper tools, and licensing to do safely.
The installation involves shutting off your gas service, cutting into your gas line, and ensuring all connections are properly sealed and tested. A mistake could create a dangerous gas leak or cause the valve to malfunction when you need it most. Plus, your insurance company and local building department will want to see that it was installed by a licensed professional.
We handle the entire process, including any necessary permits and inspections. You get the peace of mind that comes with professional installation and the warranty protection that backs up our work.
Earthquake shut-off valves work with both natural gas and propane systems, but the installation location differs. For natural gas, we install the valve on your house side of the meter. For propane, it goes between your tank and the house.
The valve mechanism works the same way regardless of fuel type—it responds to seismic motion and automatically shuts off gas flow. We stock valves certified for both applications and can handle installations for either system at your Diamond Springs property.
If you have propane, we’ll evaluate your specific setup during our free estimate. Some propane installations require additional considerations for proper placement and accessibility, but the protection you get is just as important as with natural gas systems.
After an earthquake triggers your valve, don’t attempt to reset it yourself. California regulations require a licensed professional to reset the valve and perform a complete safety inspection of your gas system before restoring service.
We’ll check all your gas lines, connections, and appliances to ensure nothing was damaged during the earthquake. Only after confirming everything is safe will we reset the valve and restore gas service to your home. This typically includes re-lighting pilot lights on your water heater, furnace, and other gas appliances.
Some jurisdictions allow homeowners to reset their own valves, but we strongly recommend professional service. After a major earthquake, you want to be absolutely certain your gas system is safe before bringing it back online. The small cost of professional service is worth the peace of mind.
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