Gas Line Installation

Many homes rely on natural gas for an efficient power source to run their furnace, gas stove, outdoor grills, gas fireplace, and even clothes dryer. If you have an existing line for gas connection for your home, you already know that having a gas line installed is one of the most energy efficient ways to power your appliances.

If you do not currently use gas as a fuel source for your home, you may want to consider investing in a new gas line.

Who Do You Call for Installing New Gas Lines?

Would you ever think of calling a plumber? Yes, a plumber! Plumbers install gas lines.

When most people think of plumbers they think: fix sinks, toilets, and other water and sewage related systems, appliances, and fixtures. Not only do plumbers do all of that, but plumbers are also often the most qualified professionals when it comes to installing gas piping.

Call a Gas Line Specialist

What if you have an issue with the gas line to your pool heater or fire pit, or need to install new gas lines? Who would you consider the gas line specialist to call? Would it be your local gas company?

Gas plumbers will know which type of pipe, such as copper and brass pipe, and materials are safest and most effective to use for your install gas line project as well as the proper way to test and bury the gas line installation.

When working or living with natural gas, safety is vital. A trained and licensed gas plumber can install gas pipes safely and efficiently, and homeowners will not have to worry about a faulty gas system.

Gas Plumbers Know Water and Gas Pipes

Plumbers know everything about different types of piping, from materials to installation methods. Many of the same pipes used in water and sewage plumbing are also used to run gas lines.

Our plumbers will know which pipes and pipe material are safest and most effective to use for your project as well as the proper way to install and bury them. It’s safe to say our plumbers know pipes better than most people.

Plumbers are Gas Appliance Experts

In addition to our work with natural gas or propane piping installations, our plumbers also offer installation of new natural gas or propane appliances. 

If you are installing new gas lines in your home, you are likely adding a few new appliances as well. It is efficient to have your plumber install the new gas appliance during the gas pipe installation.

Talk with your plumber beforehand and explain what appliances you would like to install.

Some appliances can have specific gas line requirements, so it is helpful to tell your plumber what you are looking for from your natural gas lines upfront.

What are the Advantages of a New Gas Line Installation?

The advantages of a natural gas installation are abundant. Natural gas is reliable, cost-effective, convenient, and clean.

As a homeowner, a natural gas line can save you up to 40% than the cost of using electricity.

You can install a new gas line for your pool heaters, water heater, fireplaces, fire pit, gas stove, cooking stove, gas dryer, and many other places

The initial cost of gas line installation and purchasing gas appliances may be high, however, the running cost factors are generally lower.

Additional Advantages

Once the cost to install, labor cost, and material costs are out of the way, the running costs are usually significantly lower. There are additional benefits of adding new gas lines.

Convenient and Available

Gas lines are installed below ground making them less prone to disruption of supply. You can enjoy the benefits of gas energy in your home even when there’s a storm or blackout.

The convenience comes from not having to worry about running out of fuel or exchanging an empty gas cylinder or propane tank for refills.

Efficient

Natural gas is efficient when you’re cooking, running your gas appliances, using your water heater, or heating your home. It provides direct heat ideal for using both indoors and outdoors, and actually produces more heat than other sources.

The equipment and appliances that run on natural gas consume less energy than electric ones. These include your water heater, furnace, and laundry.

Cost-Effective

Generally speaking, appliances in your home that run on natural gas use less money to operate making your utility bills lower.

Environmentally Friendly

Natural gas releases less CO2 emissions into the air and makes it easier for you to breath. It burns very clean.

Safer

A gas cylinder or propane tank can catch fire and may risk bursting if not well handled. With natural gas, you can switch off your main line gas connection from a safe distance.

When is a New Gas Line Installation Needed?

Homeowners may need a new gas line installation or gas line repair for any number of reasons, such as a home repair or new home build. Upgrading the home to include gas appliances or eliminate old or corroded gas lines could also necessitate installing new gas lines. Here are some of the most common reasons for new gas lines:

• If you are installing newer, more modern gas appliances.
• Switching from electric appliances to gas.
• For replacement lines or repair gas pipes that are old and deteriorating.
• During the construction of a new home or addition to your current property.
• If you have an old appliance that needs the gas lines replaced.
• When there is a leak from a faulty gas line.

Gas Line Installation Cost

Several key factors affect the cost of a new gas line. First, understand the basics of your existing configuration before you get started from your current appliances and your home’s existing gas lines to adding a new line to the type of gas you use.

Converting from electric to natural gas or propane, or adding appliances will always require new pipes. Your final costs depend on if you have existing gas lines in place or need new gas lines installed from the gas supply to the house.

Costs mainly depend on the number of appliances and the distance from the gas supply. Costs can vary dramatically based on the complexity of the install, and what size pipe and connections each appliance needs.

Costs vary based on how much work is required. Preparing the site, digging, the trench, and filling the trench can be both time consuming and complicated.

Contact your gas supplier and ask about application fees, initial inspection costs, and a connection fee.

What are Some Common Gas Line Problems?

For homes that heat with natural gas, one of the most important aspects is maintaining and repairing gas line problems before they create a safety concern.

Some of the most common issues that impact gas lines include:

• Cracked seals as a result of the gas line drying out.
• Incorrectly sized fixtures and gas fitters.
• Old, worn out joints or connectors that are deteriorating.

Blockages and Valve Issues

Blockages and issues with valves, shut off valves, or gas fitters are other common problems people experience with their gas lines.

Blockages in the gas pipe can be caused by contaminants building up in the gas line or by debris in the access point. This results in a failure of the gas flow to the appliances and function as it’s supposed to, and you won’t be able to use gas in your home if you have a blockage.

Sometimes, it will just slow down the functioning rather than prevent it. Valve issues can create blocks or leaks, depending on the exact problem. Valves are easy to replace, but if they’re causing a leak, you need to deal with the problem immediately.

Signs of a Gas Line Leak

Many factors can contribute to a gas line leak, whether it’s damage to an existing gas line from construction digging or damage from an extreme weather event, homeowners need to look out for the following signs of a gas line leak in your home’s existing gas line, such as:

Smelling Rotten Eggs

Gas companies put an additive in natural gas to make it smell bad and therefore be more detectable in case of a leak. Without the additive, gas is a colorless, odorless fume.

Hissing Sounds

If the line has been punctured, you may hear a hissing sound of the gas escaping the gas pipe.

Dead Plants or Grass

A broken gas pipe underground will cause the vegetation and grass in the area to die and turn brown.

Air Bubbles

If you see bubbles in standing water, including puddles and mud, it may be a sign of natural gas dispersing through the soil and into the surrounding air.

Other Signs

Family members showing symptoms of natural gas poisoning.

Gas bill is higher and gas usage is up.

A padlock on your gas meter. Might sound crazy but if the local gas company detects a leak they will come and shut off your gas, occasionally without even notifying you.

Here is a graphical overview of the common signs:

What Not to do if You Suspect a Gas Line Leak

Using your sense of sight, smell, and sound can help you recognize a suspected leak. Here are some things NOT to do when you suspect a gas piping leak:

• Do not enter a home or building if you smell a strong odor of natural gas.
• Do not smoke, make a spark, or any flame.
• Do not turn on any electrical switches, appliances such as an electric stove, or lights. The electrical charge can create a spark.
• Do not move, raise, or lower windows, or use any phones inside the premises.
• Do not open your garage door.

Know How to use Your Shut Off Valves

Every home that uses natural gas has a gas shut off valve, usually located outside the home. Make sure everyone who lives in the home knows where the shut off valve is located and how to use it.

Things to Know

Cutting off the supply of gas using the shut off valve prevents additional gas from escaping and helps prevent exposure to gas.

Even with the gas value turned off, do not go back in the house if there’s a gas leak. Call 911 and wait for help.

If you suspect your gas line has been damaged, or is in need of repair, call a plumber. If possible, shut off the appliance gas valves.

Annual Gas System Inspections

Gas lines wear down and become corroded, especially around connections leading to the oven or water heater. Corrosion will continue until there is a gas line leak, so if you spot any corrosion on your pipes, you should consider gas line repairs before it becomes a problem. Some exposure of gas lines is inevitable for new line connection purposes, but if you see a line that has been exposed due to erosion or severe weather, you should call a plumber to inspect it.

The gas company is responsible for maintaining the gas lines up to the gas meter, and the homeowner is responsible for everything else.

Gas Line Inspection

Having a regular natural gas line inspection is very important in maintaining the safety of yourself and your family. Homeowners should plan on having an annual inspection of your main line. Just like other parts of your home, things can go wrong with your gas lines. Gas lines from your gas meter to your appliances should be regularly inspected, to ensure the safe delivery of natural gas to your gas run heating system and home.

In order to properly test a gas line, your plumber must put pressure on the line, also called a pressure test. The pressure test will identify any leaks within the gas line, requiring the homeowner to repair gas lines.

Gas Supply Line Pressure Testing

Gas pipe systems rely on pressure to deliver natural gas. Gas flows from higher to lower pressure. After the natural gas is extracted, it travels along a highway-like system of pipes to end up in distribution systems that bring the gas into your home.

Natural gas supply line pressure testing ensures that the natural gas entering your home is at the right pressure. This testing is usually done at the gas utility meter and requires a temporary installation of a gas pressure gauge to perform.

Benefits of a Gas Line Safety Check

Ensure your Equipment is Running Efficiently

A gas safety check will uncover clogs, blockages, leaks and worn parts. Cleaning and replacing these will help your equipment run better, which is more efficient and could extend the life of your appliances.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide from Entering your Home

Carbon monoxide that enters your home is a dangerous, and possibly even deadly health threat. A gas safety inspection will prevent potential problems.

Find Issues Before They Get Worse

A quick fix is better than a big, gas line replacement cost.

Gas Line Installations Should Be Done by Professionals

Gas line installation is not a task to take on as a DIY project. The risks of making a mistake far outweigh the costs of hiring a professional plumber.

A licensed plumber should install a gas line as they have the proper training and licensing. To avoid gas leaks, they are keen on not using rusting pipes, wrong materials, and loose fittings. They must follow the local building codes and ensure the installation process follows those codes.

Risks Involved

Working with gas lines is different from a DIY project working with water lines. Mistakes hooking up water lines may only result in low water pressure or a leak from a loose-fitting, which is not dangerous. On the other hand, gas line installation mistakes can be extremely hazardous, even fatal.

The main reason why you should call a professional plumber is safety for yourself, your family, and even your neighbors. A leaking gas line is a very dangerous health hazard, with the potential for explosions and fires. You should only allow licensed professional plumbers to install a gas line or handle your gas line repairs.

Calling a Gas Line or Gas Pipes Specialist (aka a Plumber) in Rockwall, TX

While there are plenty of projects around the house that can be done by yourself, gas pipeline installation and repairs is not one of them.

Intown Plumbing specializes in all aspects of gas line installation and gas line repair. You can trust our gas line installers to have expert opinions and honest advice.

Our highly skilled and trained technicians are thorough and careful, guaranteeing safe and effective gas line installation and service. Whether you require us for gas line inspection, gas line maintenance, gas line repair, or gas line installation, we offer reliable service.