Many homes in our region rely on natural gas, propane or LP gas for heating, water heating, and cooking. Natural gas is delivered to your home via underground gas lines to a meter outside your home. The meter is typically located next to the home but is sometimes in the yard. Starting at the gas meter, which belongs to the gas company, fuel gas enters the home through metallic piping. Propane gas is stored on-property in a tank and piped to the home but not metered. The fuel gas is then delivered to the various appliances through a piping system within the walls and ceiling of the home.
What kind of piping is used?
Fuel gas piping uses either a type of stainless-steel corrugated tubing, (CSST), or schedule 40 iron pipe throughout the interior of a home. Older homes typically have iron pipe where newer homes often have the CSST piping. CSST is flexible, where iron is not, hence quicker and often easier installation is possible for CSST. Both meet the current plumbing code for all fuel gas.
What are outdoor gas lines used for and what sort of piping is used?
Outdoor gas lines for pool heaters, grills, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, gas lights and other items usually are made of a heavy-duty polyethylene, (HDPE) material or a CSST piping which is approved for underground installation, (heavier coating than interior CSST). HDPE gas piping is easily identified by its bright yellow color. This piping is normally delivered in large rolls and uses a compression-type fitting for couplings and risers. All underground gas piping is required to be installed with a continuous yellow copper locating wire and no less than 12” deep. Underground gas piping is also required to have steel risers where the gas piping comes above the ground, such as at the meter or appliance.
FitzGerald & Sons Plumbing can provide all your fuel gas needs from a new system in your home to the addition of a pool heater to improving your exterior with fire pits or a yard light. Our technicians are trained in the proper installation of gas piping and we can offer you some choices in materials in some circumstances.
