I recently replaced my gas fireplace with a high-efficiency woodburning fireplace. The gas fireplace was supplied by a PEX line. I closed the in-line gas valve adjacent to the fireplace (the valve is in the PEX line) and the line is now lying on the basement floor.
What is the recommended method for capping the line in a more permanent way?
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Replies
I'm no expert but I would remove the line completly and terminate it where it comes off the main gas line.
You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
Thanks. I know that.
How does one do it? With what?
Do I cap the PEX? With what? How?
Do I cap the outlet on the manifold? With what? How?
If it's supplying gas, it's probably not PEX, but that yellow plastic flexible hose rated for gas supply..right?
Follow it back to the metal pipe or tee or whatever it branches from. There should be a thread-to-plastic adaptor there. Uscrew the adaptor and screw in an appropriately sized and threaded plug. Shut the gas main off first.
I thought you branched off of black pipe. But I guess you branch from a manifold. You will need to cut off the gas pex and insert a plug. This must be crimped with Pex crimper.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
So this simple job will require;
a) That I call a gas fitter/repairman; or
b) I purchase a PEX plug (is that what one would ask for?) and a PEX crimper which, I'm guessing, costs a lot.
Can one rent a PEX crimper?
Ok, in the interest of safety, pex isn't really used for gas lines, right?
There is a newer, coated line I have seen (and cannot buy w/o a special training, at least locally) But it is not pex - I believe there is copper in there somewhere...
Treat every person you meet like you will know them the rest of your life - you just might!
What I think that you are talking about is CSST, corregated stainless steel tubing.I has a plastic jacket around a SS core.
my vote is on csst too
never heard of pex for gas
yellow plastic is HDPE high density polyethalene only see that stuff on the other side of the meter.
never heard of pex for gas
Me, too, until this weekend when I learned something new. I was watching and episode of HomeIQ (I think) and the NG line coming in from the street was large-diameter PEX.
The GC was explaining that the plumber was also responsible for running the NG line from where the city/county terminate at the street. The plumber was uncoiling copper (appeared to be this) to terminate into the NG supply that was PEX.
I do not know if they used PEX inside the home, though, for NG distribution. They did use PEX in that home for water supply and the fire protection (sprinkler) system.
NG line coming in from the street was large-diameter PEX.
I think thats what I said. They also use a shield where it attaches to the meter to protect it from sunlight.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
I didn't see a shield, but I did note the copper wire conductor that ran along side the city/county NG pipe. They said it was when they needed to they could charge the wire and use a handheld meter to find its exact location when needing to.
I'm curious as such since most say that PEX is not rated for long-term exposed use due to UV damage of the polymer. If this is the case why not simply jacket it at the factory and be done with that concern?
Like I said .... I'm no expert. You should probably call one.
They have used PEX for gas supply lines for years. When you see the gas company with plastic yellow gas line, this is pex.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
the yellow plastic pipe is kinda like pex , meaning that it is polyethylene.
But it is made differently pex is cross linked the gas line is HDPE -- high density
we mate tee connect & cap this with a hot knife & fuse it together
I'm not saying it's never in a house , but I have never seen it used in a house.
The HDPE they use for mains IS NOT PEX- it is high density polyethylene. Unlike PEX, HDPE can be thermally welded.
I don't know what the flexible gasline material with the yellow jacket is for sure, but I strongly doubt it's PEX. There'd be a pretty serious fire safety concern with using an entirely combustible piping material to convey a flammable gas through a house. Corrugated metallic tubing with a plastic jacket is more likely.
are you replying to me?
cause I'm pretty sure that's what I said
d'oh! Sorry Bill. Just supporting what you'd said. Hate to see this guy cut that "PEX" line and find out it was corrugated stainless hose...
BTW, per the International Fuel Gas Code, "plastic pipe, tubing and fittings shall be used outside, undergound, only, and shall confrom to..."
IF there flexible gas lines in the house they SHOULD be CSST. Morons occasionally endanger themselves and other so PEX can't ruled out completely. Should someone have PEX used in a residential gas system or be unable to tell difference, I would strongly recommend the services of a competent plumber in the name of safety.
Womble,
In your case, a) is correct..
Call a plumber and say that you would like the old gas supply line to the fireplace removed. It IS a simple job for someone with the proper knowledge and experience.
I will check the pipe this evening. It is yellow plastic but I'm not sure if it has a metal interior or not. I mistakenly thought yellow plastic pipe was PEX.
This is new construction and all the houses are built with this piping for gas.