Mr. Tee'd (gas line tee)
#1
11-15-14, 02:52 PM
Mr. Tee'd (gas line tee)
I have two "tees" on the natural gas line coming into my house... one teed off to a gas light and the other teed off to a gas grill. Both of which are gone.
What remains on the tee is just old style packing nut shut off valves. I like to remove the valves and put a plug in the teed end.
Is that OK to do so?
Or do I have to hire a plumber to completely remvove the tee's?
Is it a bad idea to have plugged ends open in a gas system like that?
What remains on the tee is just old style packing nut shut off valves. I like to remove the valves and put a plug in the teed end.
Is that OK to do so?
Or do I have to hire a plumber to completely remvove the tee's?
Is it a bad idea to have plugged ends open in a gas system like that?
#3
11-16-14, 06:39 AM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Got a picture?
Got me worryed when you say "old style packing nut shut off valves"
Should have been real valves made for gas.
If you do use Teflon tape it needs to be yellow tape made for gas lines.
Why not going back to where the gas line was run from and cap or plug it there?
Got me worryed when you say "old style packing nut shut off valves"
Should have been real valves made for gas.
If you do use Teflon tape it needs to be yellow tape made for gas lines.
Why not going back to where the gas line was run from and cap or plug it there?
#5
11-16-14, 08:40 AM
Should have been real valves made for gas.
Why not going back to where the gas line was
run from and cap or plug it there?
Why not going back to where the gas line was
run from and cap or plug it there?
The are attached directly to the tee. In order to remove the tee I would have to have a plumber remove about 20' of 1" pipe in the opposite direction... the next closest joint being the gas meter outside.
I guess my only concern here is the plugs in general.... is that considered a "permanent" solution? Is it strange that I would have a pair of plugged tee'ed between my meter and my gas furnace (thinking the gas furnace should always be the first appliance off the main branch??)
#6
11-16-14, 10:11 AM
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The are attached directly to the tee.
) using a plug is perfectly OK. As stated before use the yellow TFE tape or joint compound and then use the soapy water test.
#8
11-16-14, 01:03 PM
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Is your valve similar to this image?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]41785[/ATTACH] (Image courtesy of ebay.)
If so, that nut is NOT a packing gland but only hold the tapered plug in the valve. These are what Mike Lawrosa calls "grease valves" because it is the thin layer of grease on the plug that seals the valve from leakage. I would remove these valves and plug the tee. I would use a Teflon paste but not Teflon tape. Other paste type thread sealants are acceptable IF the instructions declare them good for natural gas. Ideally I would use a recessed hex-head plug or a short (not close) nipple with a cap.
Norm, fifty years ago close nipples as well as street elbows and bushings were prohibited in fuel gas piping.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]41785[/ATTACH] (Image courtesy of ebay.)
If so, that nut is NOT a packing gland but only hold the tapered plug in the valve. These are what Mike Lawrosa calls "grease valves" because it is the thin layer of grease on the plug that seals the valve from leakage. I would remove these valves and plug the tee. I would use a Teflon paste but not Teflon tape. Other paste type thread sealants are acceptable IF the instructions declare them good for natural gas. Ideally I would use a recessed hex-head plug or a short (not close) nipple with a cap.
Perhaps the valves are attached to tee by close nipple.
#9
11-16-14, 01:48 PM
Member
Norm, fifty years ago close nipples as well as street elbows and bushings were prohibited in fuel gas piping.
And Joe, yea pipe dope not joint compound.
#10
11-16-14, 02:25 PM
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close nipples as well as street elbows and bushings were prohibited in fuel gas piping.
I would use a Teflon paste but not Teflon tape. Other paste type thread sealants are acceptable IF the instructions declare them good for natural gas.
#12
11-16-14, 04:18 PM
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I would not recommend PTFE tape on gas pipe connections. Technically, it is allowed on any NPT threads. (Tapered Pipe Threads) If you do use it, use the Yellow.
Whatever your preference, do not use tape (or dope) on any flare fittings or compression fittings, such as a Gas Range Flex Supply Line.
Whatever your preference, do not use tape (or dope) on any flare fittings or compression fittings, such as a Gas Range Flex Supply Line.
#13
11-16-14, 04:41 PM
Super Moderator
If you do use it, use the Yellow.
Ill have to look in the code again but I see no mention of double density yellow tape for gas pipe...
do not use tape (or dope) on any flare fittings or compression fittings, such as a Gas Range Flex Supply Line.
Been using this since I was a kid...
Real Tuffâ„¢ | Thread Sealants | Hercules
#15
11-16-14, 05:15 PM
Member
LOL... Let me ask.. what did they do before yellow tape???
But seriously. My understanding is that the white stuff can breakdown with natural gas. So I'm told.
#16
11-16-14, 05:38 PM
Super Moderator
Code IFGC
403.9.3 Thread compounds.
Thread (joint) compounds (pipe dope) shall be resistant to the action of liquefied petroleum gas or to any other chemical constituents of the gases to be conducted through the piping.
Read specs here on tape... Ill challenge any inspector...
PTFE Thread Sealant Tape
403.9.3 Thread compounds.
Thread (joint) compounds (pipe dope) shall be resistant to the action of liquefied petroleum gas or to any other chemical constituents of the gases to be conducted through the piping.
Read specs here on tape... Ill challenge any inspector...
PTFE Thread Sealant Tape
#17
11-16-14, 05:58 PM
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"Gas Line Service - Heavy Duty,
Full-Density Yellow Tape for Gas Service"
The above is a quote from web site you referenced Mike. They recommend yellow for gas.
I still say pipe dope is better, and why use tape when dope is available and a proven method?
I didn't mean to start a debate here, I thought it was an accepted fact to use pipe dope on gas threads.
Full-Density Yellow Tape for Gas Service"
The above is a quote from web site you referenced Mike. They recommend yellow for gas.
I still say pipe dope is better, and why use tape when dope is available and a proven method?
I didn't mean to start a debate here, I thought it was an accepted fact to use pipe dope on gas threads.
#18
11-16-14, 06:08 PM
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As far as I know (which isn't very far) the ONLY difference between yellow and white Teflon tape is the thickness.
Teflon tape is much cleaner to use BUT if you are not careful about how you wrap the fitting (miss the first two threads) then there is a real possibility of having shards of tape in the system. This could keep a gas valve from fully seating.
That's my reason.
Teflon tape is much cleaner to use BUT if you are not careful about how you wrap the fitting (miss the first two threads) then there is a real possibility of having shards of tape in the system. This could keep a gas valve from fully seating.
That's my reason.
#19
11-16-14, 06:12 PM
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I would agree with Furd.
The tape, especially white, will tend to shred. Yellow will tend to shred less.
Pipe dope does none of the above.
How can I bow out gracefully?
The tape, especially white, will tend to shred. Yellow will tend to shred less.
Pipe dope does none of the above.
How can I bow out gracefully?
#20
11-16-14, 06:15 PM
Super Moderator
I didn't mean to start a debate here, I thought it was an accepted fact to use pipe dope on gas threads.
I only use tape and paste on larger pipe dia...
I rarely use paste by itself anymore...
Teflon tape is much cleaner to use BUT if you are not careful about how you wrap the fitting (miss the first two threads) then there is a real possibility of having shards of tape in the system. This could keep a gas valve from fully seating.
IMO the yellow tape may impede the tightening of the joint...
But if anyone finds it in the code I would be happy to use the yellow stuff.. ( Well not really...LOL)
#21
11-16-14, 06:29 PM
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To change the subject 
DuPont is on an active campaign to disassociate the company from Teflon Tape.
I guess they never had anything to do with it's production or inventing it??
DuPont is on an active campaign to disassociate the company from Teflon Tape.
I guess they never had anything to do with it's production or inventing it??
