I got gas leak in my house & gas Company asked me to replace the pipe. Iis it OK if I replace them my self ?

Question

I called a plumber & he want $1100.00 to replace 9 feet pipe. what kind of pipe should I use ? how many feet should the pipe go under the ground ? Do I have put cement after that ? please help ....

Answer 1

Any monkey can do it. That's why pipe wrenches are called monkey wrenches.

Turn off the gas supply to the pipe before starting work. Locate pipe to be removed and measure it for size. ie. pipe diameter 1/2 or 3/4 inch.

If installed under your house, no burial needed, just hang from the floor joist with hangers.

If installed outside, no cement required unless the pipe runs under your drive way. The pipe must be buried below the frost line for your area. If the ground freezes 6 inches down, go below 6 inches, if it freezes 12 inches down, go below 12 inches.

The type of pipe is steel "black" pipe. Sold in all plumbing / home improvement centers. get the same size you are removing.

Use plenty of "white gas pipe sealer" on the threads. This is a white paste sold in tubes made specifically for sealing gas pipe joints. Screw together just like regular steel water pipe, except when you get it tight, give it another 1/2 turn.

Turn on the gas and then put 1/2 dish soap 1/2 water solution on the pipe joints. If you see bubbles, tighten the joints some more and recheck with soap solution. When you no longer see bubbles, wipe pipe clean. You are done.

Answer 2

If you have black iron gas pipe you can easily replace it yourself. Most likely this leak is coming from a fitting. Make sure to turn off the gas supply first. You will need to loosen up the pipe starting at the shortest end from the leaking section. The cost for a nine foot section of 3/4 inch black pipe and pipe thread sealant should run you about $15. You will need two medium sized pipe wrenches to loosen and tighten the pipe. Make sure that you coat the male pipe threads with plenty of pipe thread sealant. Use the pipe wrenches to tighten the pipe and use all of the muscle that you have to tighten it. After you turn the gas back on, test the fittings and joints with soapy water, if you see bubbles you still have a leak. If you do not feel comfortable doing this your self hire a professional, but not the one that quoted you $1100 that is a complete rip-off. This should cost less the $300 to have a plumber repair.

Answer 3

While it's not difficult to replace gas pipe, the risk is pretty high if it's done incorrectly. Some municipalities will not allow homeowners to perform gas line repairs. Check with your local building department.

Note that you need to use "black iron" pipe -- do not use galvanized iron pipe, because it can easily corrode from the odorant which is added to natural gas to indicate a leak.

All joints should be sealed with Teflon-based pipe sealant compound, or Teflon tape designed for natural gas.

And you have to either disconnect the defective pipe starting at an outside union, or from the very end of your house line. I don't think you can just cut the bad pipe segment and install a pipe union in a basement or crawlspace under a residential house, because it could leak if the union gets loose.

Based on your questions, I recommend that you contact a plumber to do the job. You might ask him or her if you can save some expense by doing any trenching yourself. Get several bids from other plumbers, check references and verify current licenses, insurance and bonds.

Answer 4

Surely you know someone who knows someone?? Yeah, we had to replace a pipe before they would turn on the gas when we bought the house. So, hubby fixed it, he can fix anything. After you get this fixed they will come back and check the pressure before you can turn on the gas. Then call your gas company and see if they have a program to repair gas lines in or out of your home for a small fee per month. We do. Also when I paid $900. for a gas line it was orange plastic and it went underground 18" or frost level. I had 25 ft replaced. DANIEL S is correct about having it tested.

Answer 5

Gas Line Repair Cost

Answer 6

I know legally I can not replace gas pipe here. You may have the same problem. You need a permit to do the work, special pipe and a heck of a lot of insurance in case you make a mistake and burn down the neighborhood. I wouldn't consider this a DIY project.

Answer 7

Depending on where you live you may need a special certification to get the gas co to turn you back on.
If you do not have the answers to the questions you asked, it would be best to have a pro do it. $1100 doesn't sound unreasonable, but get a couple other estimates also.
Working with gas is much more dangerous than with water lines. If you goof on a water supply line you have a big wet mess. If you goof on a gas line your family will have no where to live (house blows up) along with your funeral bills.

Answer 8

gas company will want a certificate of test (that's how it is in western ohio at least), only plumbers have the right equipment to load test the lines after installation, around here the gas company won't hook up unless a plumber says it's ok

Answer 9

Figure out how the pipe is laid. Under the concrete floor? Then dig out the concrete floor. It is all bull work. Expose that pipe. That is the big cost. Leave it up to the plumber/gas fitter to do the hookup,have it inspected and then refill.

Answer 10

Harry, my bud,
This is one better left to the pros for a great number of reasons !! I know that the cost seems WAY out of line here -- but, there is a way that these things are done -- and, YOU doing them is NOT the way they're done !!
FIrst off is the legal way in which they have you over a barrel !!
Before you can have the gas service turned back on -- you have to have the work that has been done inspected and approved BY an inspector -- that inspector gives you a certified receipt for HIS okay that the service CAN be turned back on --- the gas company will NOT turn it back on without this certificate !! AND -- the inspector will NOT give one of these TO you --- unless the work has been done to code by a licensed and bonded plumber ---- period --- end of discussion !!
The reason FOR all of this -- is that -- when it comes to this type of repairs -- there is just entirely TOO MANY things that can go terribly wrong BEFORE -- DURING -- AND AFTER the repairs --- if not done VERY carefully -- and "by the book" !!!
Spend the money -- put this behind you --- suck up the financial blow --- and count it as the EASY way out !!!!