looking for your 2 cents worth

rocko · Jun 14, 2010

talking with some people today and dont rememer how talk got around to it but question came up, why is it black pipe used for natural gas lines not galvanized?? said im not sure just always heared you use black for gas. one of the guys said it cause little bits of the galvanization can break off and clog your furnace or what ever the gas is going to. said it sounded far fetched to me but im not sure. what you all think?????

Rocko

Anonymous-0 · Jun 15, 2010

I think that sulfur compounds and moisture in the gas react with the galvanizing , forming a sludge in extreme cases. And black pipe used to be cheaper. Lets see other ideas.

big fred · Jun 15, 2010

Black pipe is cheaper and the galvanized is not required by code, though it is permitted. My recent remodel has a mix of black iron and corrugated stainless steel (CSST) for the propane lines. The CSST wtnt in so much faster than iron pipe, it can be routed like wiring or PEX water lines and doesn't have all those threaded joints that could possibly leak. More expensive to be sure, but the labor saving offsets the added cost.

Coloken · Jun 15, 2010

I think Frank has it. It reacts with the gas.
Here, it has to be black and wrapped with like black plastic tape.

Lamar Fudd · Jun 15, 2010

Big Fred is right. Galvanized costs more. The joints have to be sealed anyway so black pipe is used. Anymore around here Mid American uses plastic.

Janicholson · Jun 15, 2010

It does react, and in some jurisdictions (inspectors etc.) a small length is allowed within a total length. Jim

WantACaseLASomeday · Jun 15, 2010

Professional plumbers are having a real debate about this over on ridgidforum dot com. Seems that some jurisdictions allow it and some do not. Some of the plumbers are getting flat irritated with each other over it but it seems there is no good reason not to use galvanized if you need weather protection or it is in an otherwise damp area.

Geo-TH,In · Jun 17, 2010

Building codes require black pipe for natural gas. Some say that galvanized will flake off and mess up the gas valve. Ask what your gas company for the real answer. My gas company won't turn your gas on if they see galvanized pipes. I don't think cost is the issue, because you can use stainless flex pipes to connect to stoves and water heaters and stainless is more than 2 cents.

looking for your 2 cents worth

rocko

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Anonymous-0

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big fred

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Coloken

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Lamar Fudd

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Janicholson

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WantACaseLASomeday

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Geo-TH,In

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