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Gas line entry point

johnpjackson | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on November 12, 2009 02:21am

What would be a legal, attractive way to pass a gas line from a propane tank outside my house into the basement, just above the sill? I’ve seen the method of drilling a hole through the side of the house, passing copper tubing through it and filling the gap around the copper with caulking. Propane companies seem to like this one because it’s cheap, quick and dirty.

What I’m picturing is some kind of a pipe that sticks out from the wall and is threaded on the end so it can accept a connection from a residential propane tank regulator. Inside the basement there would be a similar threaded connection to hand off to the gas line system in the house. That will probably be 5/8″ black iron pipe.

Is there terminology that describes the kind of hardware and hookup concepts I’m talking about? Are there any suppliers of these kinds of items that any of you like the quality, selection and service from? Thanks for any info anyone can share.

-John

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Replies

  1. YesMaam27577 | Nov 12, 2009 03:11am | #1

    What's the advantage of doing it your way, versus the "cheap, quick and dirty" way?

    In either case, there's a pipe through the wall. But note that in the case of the "cheap, quick and dirty" way, there is much less possibility for a leak.

    I won't be laughing at the lies when I'm gone,
    And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone;
    I can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone,
    So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. (Phil Ochs)

    1. User avater
      johnpjackson | Nov 12, 2009 03:48am | #4

      I would like the installation to look careful and solid, plus I'd like the outside part of the system to be isolated from the inside part.If the outside gas line was your basic copper tubing exiting straight out the side of the house and it got kinked or damaged, you might have to cut it back on the inside of the house and couple on a new section to get it to the outside again.*If* there are components that can provide the kind of connection I'm describing, within the scope of the way they are designed to be used, I would not expect system to carry an abnormal risk of leaking, if it was all installed properly.

  2. JTC1 | Nov 12, 2009 03:42am | #2

    Fewer joints in the gas line the better.

    If you are seeking camouflage or impact protection think about running a continuos copper line through a piece of PVC conduit -- long sweep 90 into the house.

    Jim

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
  3. davidmeiland | Nov 12, 2009 03:42am | #3

    Standard here is a two-stage system--regulator on the tank that controls pressure in the line outside the house (which is usually buried), and a second regulator on the outside of the house that controls pressure in the interior lines. The regulator on the house is attached to an iron pipe nipple that goes thru the foundation or framing. Piping inside the house is either iron or CSST. There is a shutoff valve on the upstream side of the second-stage regulator, so that all gas to the house can be shut off without going to the tank.

  4. DanH | Nov 12, 2009 04:53am | #5

    Our house was built with black iron inside and a regulator outside at the transition from copper to iron. (Made it a lot simpler when we were able to get natural gas installed.)

    A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter
    1. User avater
      johnpjackson | Nov 12, 2009 04:59am | #6

      Does the black iron pass straight through from inside to outside, with the regulator attached directly onto the end of it? If so, how does the black iron pass through the outside wall? Does it have any kind of a collar around it, or is it just sticking straight out of the siding?Thanks! :)

      1. DanH | Nov 12, 2009 05:06am | #7

        Just passes through the siding. Originally you could see daylight next to it, but I've got it foamed on the inside and a bead of duct seal on the outside.
        A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter

      2. User avater
        johnpjackson | Nov 12, 2009 05:08am | #8

        Actually, instead of black iron coming from inside to the outside, would brass be better, since it won't get rusty?

        1. DanH | Nov 12, 2009 05:12am | #9

          I'm thinking that brass pipe isn't legal for gas anymore. And the black iron will be fine with a coat of paint (or even without).
          A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter

          1. Ozlander | Nov 12, 2009 06:46am | #10

            A propane line has to enter the house above ground.

            Since propane is heaver than air, it will follow the line. In case of a leak, it could fill your basement with propane if the line enters underground.

          2. DanH | Nov 12, 2009 07:19am | #11

            Has that got something to do with black iron?
            A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter

          3. Ozlander | Nov 12, 2009 06:55pm | #12

            Has nothing to do with iron pipe.

            Has to do with propane following the pipe and entering the house thru any small opening around the pipe. Which makes underground propane pipe entries a no no.

          4. mike585 | Nov 12, 2009 08:47pm | #13

            Similar question: I need to run natural gas from basement main through the rim joist, under a porch and then into the garage. Pipe will run under porch decking, between joists. So it is exposed to moisture. Is black iron ok?

          5. Shacko | Nov 12, 2009 11:45pm | #15

            Black iron is fine on an exposed line as long as it is painted (this all depends on the local regulations), my personal preference is not to use copper if there is any chance of it getting damaged.

             "If all else fails, read the directions"

          6. Shacko | Nov 12, 2009 11:35pm | #14

            I don't know where you live, but where I work (N.E.) most propane or natural gas lines are run underground, propane will follow gravity, not the pipe.

             "If all else fails, read the directions"

          7. DanH | Nov 13, 2009 03:03am | #17

            Who said anything about an undergound entry?
            A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter

          8. Shacko | Nov 13, 2009 12:09am | #16

            UPC allows brass pipe for gas, but I don't think many use it because of the cost, black iron has to be painted if it is used outdoors, just info. ;)

             "If all else fails, read the directions"

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