outdoor copper gas line

I have a somewhat new copper gas line that was ran to feed a bbq on my back patio. The gas line is burried underground, albeit, fairly shallow. There are portions of the pipe exposed (where it is attached to the wall when it comes into my patio. It was added after the patio, so it couldn't run underneath.

Was copper the correct pipe to be used? Should I be worried about it's life? I know my house had copper water pipes, of which the main feed was exposed to the sun and burried in the ground uncoated. It lasted 20 yrs with acidifc FL water. Would a copper pipe, which only has exposure externally to ground water, last "forever"? My water pipes only went bad because of internal corrosion caused by city water, not rainw ater.

In any event, should the exposed portions be coated/painted with anything to help protect them? What should be used?

Reply to
Evan Mann
Loading thread data ...

When any pipe other than plastic delivery pipe is buried, it is to be covered and protected. It should also be buried the min depth according to your local codes. Personally, even on something as simple as that, it would ahve been SST or black pipe, even if it was only 3/.8th.

Reply to
CBhVAC:)

Not black pipe ; galvanized pipe .

Reply to
HVAC IsFun

Our building codes like many others do not allow galvanized pipe for gas. Pays to check first. HTH

Joe

Reply to
Joe Bobst

This is Turtle.

You just corrected a resident Troll here on alt.home.repair and alt.hvac . He does not have the slightest ideal of what pipe to use in any application.

TURTLE

Reply to
TURTLE

Wrong again, fool..........

Reply to
PrecisionMachinisT

Assuming that galvanized meets code in his area, why wouldn't galvanized be better? I have had black iron rust on, and I expect galvanized wouldn't have.

Reply to
Toller

Shit! Even I know that code calls for black pipe--

WHY IS DAVE JUST SO FRIGGIN STUPID?

Reply to
ken

Last time I piped natural gas was quite a while ago, galvanized wasnt allowed in our area.

Maybe it is some places, I dunno--but "assuming" something meets code is where the problem generally comes in.....

IMO, better to check with the permitting authority or gas company than to listen to Davey, you, or even me for that matter.

Reply to
PrecisionMachinisT

Where I am galvanized is acceptable. My understanding it that is pretty commonly allowed. In the past, the odorant reacted badly with zinc, so code required black iron. People used galvanized anyhow, so the utilities had to change the odourant to avoid problems. Maybe your code hasn't kept up with it, or maybe your utility is still using the old odorant.

Reply to
Toller

I've seen both black and galvanized used. There is no question that black pipe, used properly is absolutely ok. As I understand it, there is an issue with using either galvanized or copper. Natural gas has a chemical added to it so that it will smell and can be detected. That chemical reacts with copper or zinc, causing corrosion. In the case of copper, the pipe fails. In the case of zinc, I believe it results in flaking, which can cause jets to clog.

Why anyone would choose a chemical that could cause problems like that is another story

Reply to
Chet Hayes

I've seen both black and galvanized used. There is no question that black pipe, used properly is absolutely ok. As I understand it, there is an issue with using either galvanized or copper. Natural gas has a chemical added to it so that it will smell and can be detected. That chemical reacts with copper or zinc, causing corrosion. In the case of copper, the pipe fails. In the case of zinc, I believe it results in flaking, which can cause jets to clog.

Why anyone would choose a chemical that could cause problems like that is another story.

Reply to
Chet Hayes

In our area, Philadelphia Gas Works says schedule 40 black iron pipe and fittings only - NO galvanized - NO copper allowed.

Something about the copper reacting badly with gas.

Joe

Reply to
J O E

Around here they don't. Galvanized and K copper are both acceptable.

Reply to
Toller

This is Turtle.

One word ------------------------ TROLL.

TURTLE

Reply to
TURTLE

This is Turtle.

Then you say you would make the over all statement of Galv. pipe is good for natural gas in the U.S.A. and then accept the responciabilty of someone getting killed by using Galv. pipe in the natural gas line if the gas reacts badly with the pipe ? Some people listen here and think everything said here is the Norm. I'm not saying your bad in any way here but just watch , because they have some here that are not brain surgens and listen too well.

TURTLE

Reply to
TURTLE

This is Turtle.

Here in my area they don't care about what you use out here in no where. i know a fellow that has PVC in parts of his natural gas lines in his house. If the Gas company can't see the PVC they can't do anything about it. He's dumb but he does what he wants.

TURTLE

Reply to
TURTLE

This is Turtle.

Few Words ---------------- Dave ------------------ Troll.

TURTLE

Reply to
TURTLE

Hey Evan! I had Amerigas bury a 500-gallon Propane gas tank in my yard last year. They ran 1/2" Copper tubing to my two fireplaces inside the house and my barbecue grill on the deck behind the house as well as to my pool heater on the opposite end of my house. They said they use copper pipe for this application all the time. They hand dug a three or four inch deep trench to bury the copper pipe. I have accidentally dug against the pipe planting some bushes recently but I didn't puncture the pipe. I like metal pipe much better than plastic. My house had some of that black abs plastic piping for the water line that just started developing leaks. I replaced it with copper piping too. Most municipal water departments will tell you they feel that copper is the most durable pipe for water lines. Of course, anything will deteriorate over time and some body will probably have to repair the pipe you are putting in twenty years from now!

Regards, Bill

Reply to
Bill

This is PROPANE (LP) vs. Natural Gas (mostly methane) copper tube and flare fittings are common w/ LP. In my part of the country black iron (or some plastics -- fusion welded or persed w/ o-ringed (?) taps -- for the utility's distribution main piping) threaded or welded (latter primarily for larger commercial services) is used, not galv. Some CSST (corrogated stainless) is used too. Believe buried blk iron is overcoated w/ bituminous coating for external moisture protection.

The original poster never said whether it was LP or NG (though I gathered maybe the latter). In any case th elocal code enforcement person/body should be able to answer questions -- just call and ask.

For water is a differant ballgame than fuel gases -- as long as water is not excessively acidic it, installed correctly, will last a long time.

Reply to
The Masked Marvel

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.