Who has Gas?

So for quite some time now I have had to field questions about gas lines and what materials can be used.

Some people like steel corrugated, some like black iron, and some think that gas magically gets to the appliance carried by a little gas munchkin man (in other words they have no clue)

Lets break down the different types:

Steel Flex-

Very popular amongst contractors and DIY's. This style helps eliminate unnecessary fittings due to its flexibility. It is also very durable.

The Down side? You have to be certified to use it, and you are not supposed to be able to buy it unless you have a card for that type of flex. Unfortunately there are quite a few different kinds out there.

As a side note, you really want to check the background of the company whose flex you choose to use to make sure there have not been any legal actions due to problems with their flex.

The fittings typically look like the one above and yes, you can put them on wrong , so be careful!

Black Iron-

Good old Black Iron The oldest of the types here.

Black Iron is still considered the cheapest and most reliable option.

It can be buried (when wrapped of course), used above ground, in Houses, you name it!

Do not use Galvanized pipe in place of Black iron! Galvanized will break down and off gas hazardous gases when it does. If you are currently using galvanized for gas, Stop reading this now, and change it!

The fittings are still as simple as ever. With a twist.

The fittings above are normal threaded fittings and can be had at any hardware store. The fittings above and right are the ones I use all the time now, Megapress-G.

Megapress is a press fitting very much like Propress for water only these are for Gas.

They slip right on the end of Black iron with little prep and press right on. So you get the value of Black iron with the speed of a press fitting. These fittings are very reliable.

Gas pipe is very basic and a lot of states don't even require a license to run it.

Just remember. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. Use common sense and a lot of gas leak detector (dawn soap) when trying this at home.

K Copper-

Last but not least, Copper.

Yes you can run Gas pipe in K Copper by the code book, but you will find this more in commercial applications when it is used.

You wont find much K copper being used normally, in large part due to its high cost.

So there is your basic class in general Gas piping.

If you have a specific subject that you would like me to address in this Blog, please just message me on Biggerpockets.

Have a great day!