gas line installation

[amp]

i currently have an electric stove which I'm not a huge fan of...so I'm going to convert it to gas. I have a gas hot water heater and a boiler which uses gas....so the house has gas. I've determined the perfect place to tap into the existing gas line to run the new black pipe. Two questions: 1) does it make a difference if I use 3/4" pipe to do this or should I reduce it to 1/2"? I'll be running this new gas pipe about 40'...not sure if I should just stick with what I have...3/4". The gas isn't really under high pressure so I shouldn't really need to worry about getting gas to the stove. 2) I've heard of this material called warflex(sp?). I'm considering using it since I'll be going through a brutal crawl space to run this pipe. I guess you need to take a class to be certified to buy it though. Anyway, is it a good product? I've always been around the standard black iron pipe so this material is new to me...pros, cons??? Thanks!

[suemarkp]

I can't answer the second half of your question. But for the first half, there is a reason to use pipe of a given size. You need to know how many BTU's each run of pipe is supporting. I don't know what your range needs, but you probably do. You can go here to size your pipe: http://www.aprsupply.com/support/aprtech14.htm
Because the pressure is so low is the reason the pipe size must be increased in many instances.

You should also check your main pipe to make sure you have enough flow to add this cooktop along with everything else you have. You're probably fine with either size. If this was a pool heater, then sizing would become critical.

[amp]

1) I'm sure it varies quite a bit, but any idea on the typical amount of BTU's for a gas oven? I've seen 15,000BTU units and 9200 BTU stoves. I'm not sure if I should add up all the burners, broiler, etc for maximum BTU output and combine them for a grand total. I wouldn't be operating everything at the same time, but I would rather put in the bigger pipe if needed and to make sure I had enough capacity. I'm in the process of measuring the distances now and the other BTU draws on the system. Any thoughts on the stove question? 2) Also, has anyone hear of gas-tite? I guess it's a flexible gas line that once you take a course you're certified to buy it. I just want to make sure the product is a worthy one (I'm use to the black iron pipe). I'm going into a brutal crawl space and would like to ease my pain. Thanks again!

[mdshunk]

Gas Tite is one brand of CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing). It has a yellow thermoplastic jacket. It is liberally used in my area (almost to the total exclusion of black iron lately), but I still don't like it. I have no good reason not to like it, but it just seems flimsy to me. I'm a bonafide black iron pipe man, myself. In a nasty or tight crawl, I will admit that I'd consider using some. If you had someone to holler out measurements to that could cut and thread for you, then I'd go the black iron route. Whatever floats your boat.

[DUNBAR PLUMBER]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/DUNBAR/PICTURES187.jpg


This was done by a licensed Master Plumber's son in my area, and he stated, "90% of plumbers would of done it in this same fashion." Bull****!


I believe 90% would not of done it in this fashion, this lazy plumber didn't want to do anything that required effort.


The father actually came over and got beligerent with the customer. Even though when they ran this CSST up through the floor without protection, the gas stove doesn't even go back to the wall, it sticks out 5"!



The customer filed a BBB complaint, plumber is still in denial, never once mentioned his workmanship as error.


This homeowner did his homework, and sure enough he paid $400 for a $900 job. I am going to be the one who rips all that garbage out and install it per code requirement with black iron, and that will be the end of this stupidity.


I thought everyone would get a good laugh out of this picture; I couldn't believe it when I saw it. Instead of using 90's for turn of direction, he collapses the CSST and ties off a drip leg off a furnace @ 1/2"?????? PFFFFFFT!!!


It's fools like these that give plumbers like me a bad name, along with making it hard for people that want to make an honest living, and then to see this kind of comedy act?

No sense at all.


And to add a note to this:

This type of install with the piping exposed in an open room could lead to a dog chewing on this gas line and creating a gas leak.


Believe me, it has already happened. I've heard that the house didn't explode but there was an ominous smell of gas in the basement where the dog was locked up while the homeowners were at work. :confused:

[DUNBAR PLUMBER]

No less than 3/4" for the stove, most stoves are 55,000 to 70,000 BTU's when you add up the burners and oven combined.




Use this gas line sizing chart, comparable to the one listed in this thread.


http://www.uscarb.com/natural-gas-chart.htm