Copper gas line

[Smokey]

I'm in the final stages of remodeling our laundry room, and the new washer and gas dryer are coming tomorrow. The semi-flexible copper line that has been there for 15+ years has a slight kink in it where it comes though the floor. I would like to replace it with one of those flexible stainless lines, but it's about a 6-8' run over to the black pipe tee and shut-off, and the longest one that HD had was 4'.

I figure my options are these: (in order of preference)

1. Extend the black pipe in the basement to get it nearer to the dryer, and then use the flex stainless.

2. Run a new piece of copper all the way back to the black pipe.

3. Look for a way to join the flex stainless to the copper, basically cutting the copper off in the basement to get rid of the kink.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

Also, I read that in some states copper is no longer legal for gas lines because of corrosion from the sulfur in the gas. Does anyone know about this?

[sparcebag]

I havent heard of copper being illeagle,unless its not rigid that stuff that comes in coils,.I do know the flex pipe is illeagle for service pipe,its only good for wall to appliance and then not recomended.to code you would run the black pipe to its destination.make sure you soap test!!!

[311Hemi]

Do I need to higher a licensed plumber to install a gas line for my stove? I know my dad has done it in the past...but not sure if that is ok?

Any thoughts on what this would run?

[sparcebag]

Are you getting it inspected? even so home owners are allowed to do their own improvements to code.If ya know what your doin go for it.

[dakotakid31]

copper is legal. deppending on your comfort level you could braze a coupling in where it is kinked. and soap test her!!

[Bearfan1963]

I think you should run the black pipe and use the 4 foot flex line. Moving the dryer occasionally could eventually wear a hole in the flex line where it goes through the floor. plus you would not have to run up and down to the basement when want to disconnect, the valve would be on the same floor. My 2 pennies.

[18 inch Crappie]

Just built a new house and they used flex pipe from the meter outside to the inside of my house. You can buy it at Menards in 25' coils and you will need 2 ends.

[sparcebag]

Its not flex pipe its a new product that you do need a special lisence to do instalations it also takes special tools!that are costly!

[Smokey]

I ended up doing my third choice, for now anyhow. I found a 6 foot piece of stainless flex at Maynards, and a flare to flare coupling. I ended up cutting off the copper before the kink, re-flaring it, and used the coupler. It's all in and running now and has passed the soap test and overnight smell test. I still think that running the black pipe closer would be the best thing to do, and I still may do that, since I may be moving the dryer vent pipe location as well.

The new washer is a front load, and the way the doors are set up on these, it works best if the washer is on the left. When the house was built it was plumbed for the dryer on the left, so now the dryer vent pipe runs behind the washer and the dryer, so they stick out from the wall a ways. Some day when things slow down I think I'll rework where the vent and gas line come up through the basement and bring the black pipe closer.

[backlash 1]

Smokey, good job, that is the way it should be done.

[311Hemi]

Looking to convert my propane garage heater to gas. First things first I need to get a line run too the garage. My house has this plastic pipe that runs directly from my basement (where the gas lines are currently) run to garage and I am wondering if it would be within code to run the copper through this plastic pipe (instead of digging a trench all around the whole house)?

Once I got it into the garage I would need to go from the floor, up to the ceiling and across to the heater. Not sure what kind of codes that I need to follow?

[Chad Halvorson]

Personally I would run black pipe outside there, but you certainly can run some 1/2 " copper through that plastic .

[boatfixer]

What else is in this plastic pipe or why is it there?

[311Hemi]

I actually looked at it again last night. That plastic pipe is running 220 out to my garage. I actually have a 3/4" conduit pipe that goes under that through way thats not being used any more and pipes right into the garage.....I wonder if I can run copper through that instead. Currently there are old power cables in the conduit but they are cut on both ends.

[boatfixer]

I would check local codes to be sure if you can run the copper through the conduit, but I would definitley not run the line with the existing wires.

There are a couple of things to consider. The length of line you are running being one and the BTU draw of the unit you have in the garage. This will determine the size of line you need to run. Since this will be tapped into the low pressure side of the regulator, and depending on the length of line you are running, 3/4" conduit may not be large enough to house the gas line sized to adequately supply enough gas to the heater.

The other option would be to have the local gas company tap into the service line and run it to the garage along with a new meter, all of which will cost more money.

If you have no experience in running gas lines, please enlist someone who does. The amount of money you spend is well worth the lives of you and your family.

[311Hemi]

I have experience with gas lines so no issues there, and I have a call into the city to find out what code is. I also would not run it through conduit with the existing wires in there. I am converting my garage to a gas heater vs. the old propane heater and 150 gal tank I have right now.

I still need to purchase a gas heater and I think I will be getting a 45k BTU heater, but possibly a 60k. Not sure how much the temp rise makes a difference on selecting a heater? My garage is roughly 800 sq ft.....with only a one car entrance expanding to a 24'x20' attachment to the back side of that. All fully open space with no walls in between. The line will need to run approximately 40'-50'.

I know I can run another meter, but as you said that costs money and I am trying to get away from a monthly fee for the service. I know it's not much, but I get charged $60/year for tank rental for my propane.....and I did not fill it once last year.

Thanks for the info. I need to look into the diameter of line this will require, then find out if I can run it under the through was which doesn't really have easy access beside one window.

[backlash 1]

Do not know what your codes are. I do know that if you can push soft copper through that conduit you are the man! I don't see it happening.

What I would do is tee off just after the meter, trench at the proper depth wherever you need to go, using whatever your code permits, most likely soft copper.

[MNcanepole]

I would just call the city inspector to come out to your place. Show him what you want to do and go by what he tells you he wants. ( THE EASY WAY)