Your gas lines may be made of steel, galvanized steel, or plastic, depending on when and who installed the piping in your house.
Steel gas lines rust and corrode over time when exposed to moisture in the ground, often leaving behind an unpleasant sulfur smell or raising your gas bill. Leaks may result in this damage as well.
Suppose you suspect issues with your gas lines. In that case, especially if they’re older or showing signs of corrosion, it’s essential to have them checked out by professionals – consider investing in high-quality solutions, like Full Speed Plumbing gas line services.
Corrugated stainless steel tubing
If your home runs on natural gas, its pipes may consist of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST). This newer type of pipe replaces traditional solid steel pipe and has an easy-to-identify yellow coating that makes it easily identifiable.
Flexible yet relatively inexpensive than its solid steel counterparts, corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) makes installation and run-through walls simpler and cheaper for builders than its alternatives.
Importantly, these pipes should not be installed in areas at risk of natural disasters due to their vulnerability to extreme weather. Extreme temperatures could damage them significantly, and a ruptured pipeline could result in explosions or fires.
Gas pipes can be underground or aboveground and made of various materials, which vary in durability depending on their environment and usage. An outdoor line requires strong materials that can withstand corrosion damage and other issues that might occur with exposure to elements like rain and sunlight.
Underground pipelines are usually constructed of solid and resilient ductile iron or steel materials such as galvanized zinc plating to prevent corrosion and ensure long-term performance. Steel pipes transporting liquid natural gas must typically be buried 50 feet below ground for optimal operation.
Residential gas lines utilizing this pipe type supply appliances like stoves, water heaters, and furnaces with gas. These lines are often buried underground to protect them from the elements while increasing durability; additionally, this material offers better temperature regulation resistance than other options.
Leaks in this type of pipe are uncommon; when they happen, they usually occur near riser connections or steel piping aboveground and are often caused by improper installation or shifting ground conditions.
If your gas line leaks, you must contact an expert immediately for inspection. Your house can become safer when a leak is identified and repaired quickly.
Black iron pipe
Black iron pipe is both strong and heat resistant, often used in homes built prior to 1960, similar to steel piping but slightly more malleable due to the mix of materials that comprise it.
Though black iron easily corrodes when exposed to water, most modern plumbing systems now utilize non-corrodible plastic PVC pipes instead. However, some re-modelers have returned to using it because it is so reliable.
Pipes like this one typically run beneath your home and rise up at specific points throughout, usually the basement. At one end, it connects to the meter, while at the other, it leads directly to your gas appliances – depending on where you live, there may even be an exterior shutoff valve for emergencies.
Due to its strength, reliability, and durability, black iron gas pipe has become the choice of many builders and contractors for residential properties. Meeting pressure standards up to 150 psi means this pipe can safely transport natural gas and propane during high-pressure applications.
However, black iron gas line fittings don’t always seal well and may leak over time. This can be especially problematic in humid and wet environments, as gas can corrode pipes more readily. Leaks in these gas lines may be detected through increased utility costs or by an unpleasant sulfur smell in your house – both signs that something might be amiss.
Becoming familiar with your gas lines’ locations is vitally important, both for maintenance and repair purposes, as well as safety purposes. If a line appears to be leaking, immediately switch off the meter before reaching out for professional help.
Most states’ regulations stipulate that black iron pipe should be used to transport natural gas. At the same time, in other areas, rewritten rules have allowed other piping forms as long as they follow specific construction and installation guidelines. Copper, polybutylene, and PE piping may currently be approved.
Please consult your local plumbing code before using these materials; other options like corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) might also be allowed – contact the zoning office to find out whether you can change your gas piping type.