10 Questions You Should to Know about Lpg Fittings Suppliers

What brings you here? Chances are you suspect there's a leak in your natural gas line or maybe you've found one. Whether it's starting at your gas meter connections or the middle of your hose, or the connection to your barbecue, you've come to the right place for all the troubleshooting and most frequently asked questions about gas lines. Let's get right into it.

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First, we're going to go over how to identify a gas leak. If you've already been able to do this, go ahead and skip to the Frequently Asked Questions About Gas Line Repairs section below.

How to Identify a Gas Leak

Your suspicion of a leaky gas line will most likely stem from noticing that your grill isn't working or it's producing much less heat than it did at the last barbecue cook out. Whatever it is, here are some steps to identify a possible gas leak. 

Step 1: Turn off your natural gas supply. Once it's off, you want to inspect the hose for any punctures from animals, kids, or what have you (watch out for Uncle Doug, he's always up to no good). If you typically leave your gas line attached to your barbecue and stretched across a walking path, chances are it's been stepped on, kicked, or even driven on by bikes or tires. Maybe you hit it with a lawn mower by accident or wacked it with a shovel because you thought it was a snake. Also, check for any wear and tear from it being kinked, notched, or squished repeatedly. 

Step 2: If you haven't seen any issues with the hose itself, move on to the connections to the hose, such as the quick disconnect nipple and coupler.

• Not to insult, but sometimes the reasons that make us feel the dumbest when we seek help are in fact the reasons why something doesn't work (we've all been there). So, make sure that hose is actually fully inserted into the quick disconnect coupler properly. You should hear a little "click" when the rivet of the quick disconnect nipple passes the movable piece of the coupler. This goes for the connection from the hard pipe connected to your natural gas meter as well as any other connection (i.e. any connections in a gas hose extension)

Step 3: If you're sure that the natural gas hose is in the quick disconnect coupler properly, it's time to whip out your trusty Masters Leak Detector to leak test your connections to find out if there's anything to worry about. 

• To apply your Masters Leak Detector, first turn your gas supply on. Next, spray a few squirts of it on your gas line connections. You want to be aiming for the threads and where any two components meet, as that's where the gas will pour out from, if there is one. Look closely, if there are any continuous bubbles being formed (there will be a small amount of bubbles when the leak detector is first applied, but these will pop quickly if  there is no leak). If there are new bubbles continuously being formed, that's the gas causing them, which means you've identified a gas leak! 

Step 4: Wipe off the Masters Leak Detector and enjoy the bitter sweet taste of the knowledge that you were right about your suspicion of a gas leak, but now you have to fix it. 

Now that you know there's a leak in your gas line, watch this quick video to learn more about what's required in an up to code CSA (Canadian Standards Association) gas line.

Watch now: Gas Hoses and Fittings: Measurements and Hook Up

Frequently Asked Questions About Gas Line Repair

If you're here, you've likely already identified a leak in your natural gas line and want to know more about how to fix it. We've provided the answers to the most frequently asked questions. 

1. Will flex tape work on a natural gas hose?

Flex tape is adequate, but only for a temporary solution in a tough time. It's highly recommended that you replace your natural gas hose as quick as you can because when it comes to gas, you always want to be safe not sorry.

2. What is the best brand of sealant for a gas line?

There are many brands of gas line sealant out there, but we go with Slic-Tite liquid sealant for two reasons: quality and affordability.

3. What type of sealant is used on gas line piping? 

For the black iron natural gas line piping we install in our valued customers homes, our certified gas fitters use Masters Pro-Dope Pipe Thread Sealant. Although this is a frequently asked question by people wanting to repair their gas lines, we have to tell advise you that ONLY certified gas fitters are LEGALLY allowed to work on the piping in the system before the shutoff valve. 

4. What can you seal natural gas fittings with?

After the shutoff valve, you can use our Slic-Tite liquid sealant or PTFE Hercules Megatape Pipe Sealant. Both are great options, but many prefer the Slic-Tite, despite it being a little messier.

5. What is gas PTFE tape? 

PTFE is polytetrafluoroethylene, a chemical compound found in sealant tapes. Be careful because there are many PTFE tapes out there, but only the proper gas-rated PFTE tape should be used on your gas line.

6. Is all PTFE tape good and rated for gas lines?

No, not all PFTE tapes are dense enough for gas line sealing.

7. How to replace a leaky gas connection?

This process is quite long to type out here... good thing we've already explained it in out other blog post, How to Extend Your Gas Hose. Click here to learn how to replace your leaky gas connection.

8. Can I use a rubber hose or garden hose to repair natural gas lines?

No. Heck No. Absolutely not. Not only is this dangerous, as only gas-rated things should be used to carry natural gas from one place to another, the system would likely not work.

9. When should I replace my gas hose?

Every 2-5 years. Many factors have to do with this like running over it, weather, freezing and heating in winter/summer, etc., every little thing adds up to damage your hose. However, even a well-kept hose will lose it's durability after 5 years. If you're wondering if you should replace yours, try coming on into our store and pick up a natural gas hose, just to feel how a new hose should feel in your hands. Does your gas hose feel as sturdy? If not, then it may be time to replace yours. 

10. When should I replace my gas regulator?

Every 5 years for non-corrosive gases. Regulators should have a manufacturing/production date stamped on them.

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You&#;ve got questions &#; From where to put the tank in your yard ... to propane refilling and maintenance schedules and costs. We&#;ve got answers.

RESIDENTIAL TANK INSTALLATION

How far from my house do I need to place my propane tank?

ABYDA are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

If you have a 250-gallon or larger tank, the magic number &#; or rather, distance &#; is 10 feet. When planning your installation, make sure you lay out the space so that the tank will be at least 10 feet from the house; 10 feet from the property line; 10 feet from exhaust vents and windows; and 10 feet from any ignition source, like window air-conditioning units, compressors, or open flames.

Where does my propane tank need to be placed for refilling and maintenance? 

Make sure the tank is near the driveway or a road, preferably flat and paved, while still following the 10-feet rule above.

What if my propane tank is smaller than the 250-gallon size?

If we go down a size from 250, we&#;re talking about 125-gallon tanks. According to regulations set forth by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), liquid propane gas cylinders whose capacity is less than 125 gallons may be stored and used alongside a building &#; provided they meet these criteria:

• The propane tank&#;s pressure-relief device discharge must be at least 3 feet from any building openings below it.

• The area surrounding the propane tank must be well ventilated &#; anything surrounding it must enclose less than 50 percent of the container.
• The tank&#;s pressure-relief valve and any discharge from it must be at least 5 feet away from any ignition or ventilation source.
• If your 125-gallon tank will be filled on site, the filler connection has to be at least 10 feet from any exterior ignition source.

A certified contractor should be well acquainted with all the rules, and your AmeriGas consultant definitely is &#; we&#;re always happy to help.

How close can my propane tank be to my appliances?

There&#;s no strict requirement about this (other than the 10-feet rule), but many people like to get as close as they can to whatever appliances the tank will be connected to. This is mainly to keep the cost of materials down. 

I need to move my propane tank. What should I do?

Contact AmeriGas to schedule the service and get a quote. We can have your tank and connections reinstalled and get you safely up and running again, typically in a few hours.

I&#;ve added (or upgraded) appliances, and it seems like I&#;m not getting as much power as I used to. Do I need a bigger tank?

If you&#;ve added appliances to your home, or if a technician thinks the BTU load of your current system is not sufficient for the amount of propane needed to power your home, then we may suggest an upgrade to a larger propane tank.

What&#;s involved in switching propane tanks?

After we&#;ve determined the right size tank for your new needs, the old tank would be removed and the new one installed. This may be a relatively simple process; or we may need to find a new location for the tank in order to comply with safety regulations.

This works in the reverse as well: If you&#;re going down to a 125-gallon or smaller propane tank, you may want to move the tank so it&#;s closer to your house and appliances. There may be other fees in addition to tank and installation costs. Please contact us for more information.

When you install my propane tank, does that include installing the gas lines into the home, too?

AmeriGas takes care of everything up to the home itself. So if you don&#;t already have a propane gas line in place, we will install one for you. You&#;ll need to have a contractor handle the appliance installation and propane gas lines within the home.

Whom should I contact to install or convert appliances?

Depending on your specific needs, reach out to an HVAC specialist, plumber, or other home contractor. Make sure they have experience working with propane gas lines; they can do the work and answer any questions about installing appliances. (Learn more about converting to propane.)

What&#;s the best material for a propane gas line?

For underground propane lines, copper tubing or plastic polyethylene piping are most commonly chosen for their durability and weather resistance. AmeriGas uses copper in its propane gas line installations.

PROPANE TANK SAFETY

Is my valve open or closed?

The valve should be turned all the way counterclockwise (to the left) at all times. This means the propane gas supply is open and flowing correctly to all connected appliances.

You should never have to touch this valve. If there&#;s an emergency and you need to turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank, turn it clockwise (to the right). Note: ONLY do this in an emergency or if AmeriGas tells you to. Turning it off will stop the flow of gas, and a field technician will perform a leak check and make sure the system is safe to put back online.

I&#;m getting a new [generator / stove / water heater] and I want to connect it to my propane line. Can I do it myself?

We are all for DIY spirit, but in a word &#; no. Strict safety regulations apply to liquid and gas propane, and only certified technicians and contractors should handle liquid propane or the equipment and systems that run propane into your home.

REFILLS AND MAINTENANCE

Is there a limit on how many propane refills I can schedule?

No. However, we encourage you to schedule Automatic Delivery to avoid additional fees. In addition, there is a Special Trip Charge if you request deliveries within 48 hours of a previous one or request non-emergency service after business hours or on weekends.

Also, if you find you&#;re refilling frequently, you might think about upgrading to a larger tank. Unfortunately, because usage varies widely both across individual households and from season to season, there isn&#;t really an average expected usage. If you&#;re renting your tank, you may need to stay within guidelines of the contract. Either way, if you have questions, check out our FAQs or reach out to us to get advice about your account.

OTHER FEES

What other fees can I expect?

You can learn more about all our fees and rates here.

What are my payment options?

We offer a variety of plans to suit your needs and preferences, including making a fixed monthly payment or paying as you fill your tank. Read about pricing and delivery plans here.

Still have questions? Connect with an AmeriGas propane expert.

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