Gas piping is a piping system in your house used to carry natural gas from the supply directly to your heating system. It is made up of branch lines that run to individual homes or buildings. Running gas pipes externally, as long as they are properly clipped and sleeved to the wall, is commonplace. Building over or close to gas pipes should be avoided during any work on your home or business.
To run a gas line through an outside wall, you need to install the right pipe size, couplings, and fittings. You may also need a threaded rod with a galvanized hanger if you need to hang the pipes. Measure everything to avoid leaks. Home inspectors should have a good understanding of the basics of gas piping to identify potentially unsafe situations.
A gas leak outdoors will safely disperse in the atmosphere, and in the unlikely event of anyone igniting it, it would not explode but would just burn off. If you’re running a new gas line to your house or tapping into an existing line, you have the option of running the pipe underground or along the exterior of your home. Depending on various factors, one can choose to run the pipe externally.
It is illegal to install a natural gas line even in your own residence, as the natural gas could burn backward if the pressure is not strong enough. It is common and safe to put gas pipe on the external wall for a combi, as it is easier than having the gas pipe inside the house. Outside gas pipe needs to be galvanized type piping.
In your area, it is fine to run gasline outside, as long as it is painted and the same color as the gas supply line. Natural gas reaches your house through a series of pipelines and local distribution companies, sometimes stored at large facilities outside of towns.
📹 How to Work with Gas Pipes | Ask This Old House
Skill Level: Expert – for licensed professionals only Steps: 1. In general, residential houses start with 1″ gas pipes at the gas meter …
What does an outdoor gas line look like?
In the event of uncertainty in a line during the process of excavation, it is imperative to cease all activities and immediately contact Enbridge Gas.
What is the pipe outside the house for?
The most common drain pipes on the exterior of a residential property are those associated with air conditioning units (AC drain line) and water heater pressure relief valves (PRV drain line). The most expedient method for distinguishing between a normal and an urgent water leak is to ascertain which drain pipe is responsible. A blockage in the AC drain line is an indication that the primary drain line is also obstructed, necessitating AC servicing.
How do you know where the gas line is in your house?
Newer homes often have flexible copper pipes running from the gas meter into the utility room, indicating the presence of a higher pressure gas system. The indoor main shut-off valve is likely located near the water heater or furnace in the utility room. A flying saucer-shaped regulator is likely on the copper pipes, and the main shut-off valve is likely above it. To turn off a high-pressure gas system, turn the lever perpendicularly, and the smaller levers on the copper pipes indicate gas flow through the pipe.
What type of gas pipe for outside?
It is imperative that gas piping installation, extension, alteration, or repair utilize standard weight Schedule 40 wrought iron, steel, or corrugated stainless steel tubing. It is permissible to utilise approved PE pipe in exterior buried piping systems, provided that it is installed by a certified technician.
What does a natural gas line look like?
The pipelines utilized for the conveyance of natural gas are frequently outfitted with tracer wire, which is a durable material that facilitates the identification and location of Enbridge gas.
Are there gas pipes in walls?
Gas lines are essential for supplying natural gas or propane from the outdoor supply system into your home. They run underground and behind the walls of your home, connecting appliances like stoves, water heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces. Gas metering is crucial for ensuring proper gas flow and safety. There are two types of gas lines: underground and underground. It is essential to be aware of gas lines and their location to avoid potential emergencies.
How long do outside gas pipes last?
Gas pipelines, built to last up to 50 years, can weaken over time due to natural wear and corrosion. If you suspect your pipes are nearing their 20-30 year mark, it’s best to have a local plumbing professional inspect them. When purchasing an older home, ensure your gas lines meet updated plumbing code requirements. Rust or corrosion can spread quickly, causing severe cracks and damage requiring replacement. Visible kinks or damage are difficult to repair, so total replacement is often necessary.
Sometimes, renovations or adding new appliances may require the installation of new gas lines. Rusted natural gas lines should be addressed immediately, as rust or corrosion will spread quickly, making replacement the best solution.
Can a gas line be run outside?
The installation of a gas pipeline for exterior appliances can be conducted in a safe and straightforward manner with the implementation of an appropriate plan and the adherence to the requisite safety precautions. A professional installation and inspection guarantee the system is in optimal condition and can provide reliable service with minimal risk. The lifespan of the gas line can be extended through the implementation of appropriate maintenance procedures, thereby rendering it a dependable option for the provision of natural gas and propane piping services.
Do external gas pipes need to be covered?
New boiler installation or home extension can expose exposed gas pipes on the exterior property wall. To conceal these pipes, you can box them in by ensuring they are securely secured onto the wall using metal brackets. Once secure, attach a plastic casing along the run of the gas pipe, which can be found at builders or plumbers merchants. This will enhance the visual aesthetic of your home exterior and make it easier to maintain the safety of your gas pipes.
Can you have a gas pipe on the outside of your house?
The practice of routing a gas pipe externally, provided that it is securely fastened and sleeved to the wall, has become a standard procedure for re-routing pipes on the exterior of a property.
Can you have exposed gas pipes?
Internal gas pipes must be sleeved for pipes passing through brick or concrete walls. However, exposed and visible pipes need correct support clipping. Covering exposed pipes with pipe sleeves or covers is not recommended, as they are not suitable for exposed pipes due to the importance of allowing small gas leaks to escape and be detected. Despite the aesthetic appeal of these covers, they are not suitable for hiding exposed gas pipes.
📹 HOME-FLEX Underground Gas Pipe Install
A quick look at a job site install of HOME-FLEX Underground Yellow Polyethylene Gas Pipe. The easiest way to install …
About forty something years ago, I moved my gas fired water heater from inside the house to an outside heater closet. My then brother-in-law had a whole cart for making gas pipes including a manual thread making jig. Because money was tight back then, I did it myself by reading “how to” books (the internet wasn’t born yet). That house is still standing by the way, after I sold it about 30 years ago.
My 4 year old son faithfully watches your show! Richard is his favorite. His current favorite articles are any of the toilet repairs, gas line, hvac and leaky duct work. Richard, he doesn’t believe you’re real, he thinks you only exist on YouTube. Thanks for your clean, informative articles that provide great content for my little guy. Melissa from Wyoming
Having enough volume and pressure being delivered to the appliance means everything with gas. Before I retired in 2016, I worked for the gas utility company in Baltimore. Sometimes we’d have a distribution problem when a large building converted from oil or coal to gas and a larger service pipe was tapped into the main to supply the new heating plant. Occasionally, there would be too much demand on the main between the new and existing customers when the new heating system would cut on and the main pressure would drop too low from insufficient gas volume. We’d then have to do a system reinforcement installation to boost the gas supply requiring either a larger main being laid for the new service or tapping a nearby higher pressure main and installing a pressure regulator station and back feed main tapped into the old main near the customer’s service pipe. The same is true with a building having multiple gas appliances – you have to have the correct size pipe so that each appliance gets a sufficient supply of gas volume at the pressure required even when all the appliances are operating at the same time.
HI there. Is it ok to paint a gas pipe that runs from ouside into my kitchen ceiling onto the fireplace? It’s black and made of metal, so I assume it’s steel or black iron. I can see it and it does not look pretty! But I think painting it in white or silver will improve its look a lot. At least it will remove the nasty fingerprints it has from installation. Not sure if it’s safe, if it needs a primer and what kind of paint to buy. I can’t use spray paint as I do not want to paint the ceiling. Any tips would be truely apprecited.
This is a great article. If you would like to see the polar opposite, I made a article showing a home investor that installed a gas line 3 times.. code enforcement and building. Inspectors have tried to cover it up and I have expose that hazard that they’re trying to pass on to the new homeowners, it’s the article with 7000 views thanks if you check it out🙏🙏🤝 I recommend you use it as a tool to show companies how not to do things
Not first. Interesting story. A friend, rental units owner and remodeler, almost killed himself. Working on pressurized gas, took a cap off, did not plug it right away, turned around and grabbed another fitting. Apparently it took longer than he expected. He made up the connection, then the gas settled to the water heater, whoosh, blew out a couple of windows and singed his eyebrows; he is bald. No real damage, so, he thinks it is funny.
I just replaced a faulty (as in old and frozen) cut off valve to a space heater. Installed new brass cut off and made up a manifold with nipples and tees for a pressure test port, try additional cut off valves and BIP to new space heater. Checked and no leaks. Everything works great. Ran out of pipe dope on the last three connections so I used some Bondo. Great stuff that Bondo! Really handy! LOL. Just kidding! Just thought I’d let a few heads explode! LOL
If all gas lines must be done by a licensed plumber then what is the point of explaining how it is done?! Unless this article is for plumbers aspiring licensing. It was helpful, don;t get me wrong – I am thankful for it. I just do not see why should I be paying $4000 asked by a local plumber to run 50-60 ft. piping from a rooftop unit to the outside meter when I can do it just as well and then call them to run permitted pressure test for quarter of that price.
This guy gives the assumption that his ideology of technique and use of equipment and materials is correct! People, pipe threaders still exist, they are widely used, and are the only correct technique to use in place of using a bunch of couplings. The idea is to reduce the use of as many couplings as possible!
You should do a diy on how to cut in a lasco BLACK R&L NIPPLE,COUPLING and TEE for installation of a gas line addition on a pre-existing gas line in a homeowners home for maybe a natural gas or propane fireplace,bbq or even a laundry dryer gas line. Cutting in a R&L nipple and TEE on pre-existing gas lines doing remodeling can be daunting if you don’t know how to make a job easier and more cost effective and their is no need to cut a lot of holes from one end of the house and removing pipe near the location your going to be adding a gas line addition in your home, you just cut a hole close to your remodeling location and cut in a R&L nipple, coupling and TEE also go over how adding a gas line can change you BTU’s at your gas meter and make sure a license Plumber or contractor is using proper code for their City and state guidelines. 🤓
Nice job Richard, always wished you were in our area. But “always use a licensed gas fitter” unfortunately is a license to steal. Yes there are fair and honest plumbing and heating contractors but I will not walk away with 100% margin on parts and $600 labor for say, changing out a simple water heater. And this license to steal is reinforced by codes in many areas (MA, are you listening) and even by supply houses. Especially today, people do not have unlimited resources and cannot blindly call a licensed contractor and pay fees and permits for menial tasks. That said, if you don’t know gas code for your project, fittings and methods, call a pro. If you fear gas, it’s ok. You should fear gas but I think many gas disasters you see were orchestrated by pros, either excavating or poor installation. Always leak test and always keep a clear head when working with it.
Been my experience going to HD, lucky to find a person that can cut Gas or other pipe custom. Had to walk out one day because I was uncertain the threads were good. If you are going to thread it has to be correct. HD needs a dedicated person the the plumbing isle.! Make it so HD because it has to be So.. I have a clue the issue is that many walking into centers like these do not.
I know they try to keep these vids short but they didn’t cover unions. Years ago when I did some remodeling, I used a union to connect to the existing gas piping and when the inspector saw it he failed it because local code (Oakland Ca.) doesn’t allow unions but rather left, right couplings for that type of connection.
Question for a knowledgeable gas plumber out there…. Is it OK to use tees exclusively throughout the entire network of gas pipes INSTEAD of using elbows where you need to make a turn?? In other words, wherever I need an elbow, I’d rather use a tee to make that turn and use a plug in that extra port. Future expansion is my thinking here. Please advise…thanks!
old school plumber did gas pipe for s shop i worked foe not only did he use pipe dope,,he slso wrapped string aeound threads then pipe dupe, pressure checked with old pressure site guage,left it for week,,the ball in guagued never moved a mill on guage,,Said guarreentee will not leak ever 20 years later, had new license plumber,, hook up a new extended line for spray booth, every joint leaked..Called old school plumber back,, he taught young plumber old trick
Like he said. Leave working with gas piping to us Plumbers/Gasfitters we go to school 4 years learning and working in the field with this. Improper installation and testing can cause leakage which can cause an explosion. Hence why you need to take a permit out to perform any gas work in many jurisdictions, and many wholesaler refuse to sell gas controls and equipment to your average homeowners. Hire a professional.
It doesn’t make sense to have all those unions on small sections of pipe when you could simply cut and thread the correct length of pipe. It also seems like it would really drive up the cost of the project. Short pieces of pre-threaded pipe are very expensive. I paid like $7.99 for a 4-foot piece and a 10-foot piece was $11.00. The 20-foot lengths sold by plumbing supply houses would reduce the per-foot cost even more. Not to mention the cost of all those nipples and unions.
One tiny suggestion: the whole “thanks for perusal, This Old House has a article for just about….” seems to have become a staple at the end of all your newer articles. While we understand the need to market, maybe you can space it out just a bit, like once on every 2 or 3 articles as it can get pretty repetitive and boring especially for your loyal audience 😉 God speed!
I have a gas pipe that runs into my fireplace. Unfortunately it does not appear to be connected. I would like to find where the source side is either capped or turned off via a valve somewhere. The entire wall is brick and I have tried using my Walabot stud finder to trace the pipe, but without success. Is there a gas pipe locator device that I can rent somewhere to try and locate the place where the gas is turned off?
go to Home Depot.. they cut pipe to order, just buy the pipe first, all those fittings is a leak waiting to happen, a point of failure, they must do things different in the East Coast, i’m from California,and we have some of the most strict codes on plumbing, inspectors will laugh you off a job for this non-sense.