What We Run Gas Lines For
- Gas range / cooktop conversion (electric to gas)
- Gas water heater (or upsize to support a tankless)
- Gas fireplace (vented or vent-free)
- Gas dryer
- Outdoor BBQ / grill connection
- Patio fire pit
- Standby (whole-home) generator
- Pool or spa heater
Gas Line Repair & Leak Detection
Sustained smell of gas, hissing at a fitting, dead patches in the lawn near a buried line, or a gas-meter dial that keeps spinning when nothing is on. Andy's tests for and repairs leaks. We use a combustible-gas detector, soap-test fittings, and pressure-test the line to find the leak source. We do not patch over a leak. We repair or replace the affected section to code.
Materials We Use
- Black iron pipe: The traditional standard. Robust, code-approved, and the right choice for many runs.
- CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing): Flexible, easier to route in finished homes, code-approved when bonded properly. We bond CSST to ground per code — this is critical and often skipped by less experienced installers.
Copper gas piping is not our standard residential gas-line material. If a special condition requires it and it is allowed by the local jurisdiction and utility, we address it case by case.
What's Included — and What's Not
We install the gas piping and make the final gas connection when it is within our scope. Appliance assembly, manufacturer setup, electrical work, cabinetry, venting, or generator commissioning may require others. We tell you up front what's in our scope and what you'll need a second trade for.
Sizing the Line
A gas line that's too small starves the appliance, causes flame issues, and shortens equipment life. We calculate BTU demand for the appliance(s) on the line, the distance from the meter, and any other appliances sharing the run. Then we size the pipe to the demand. This is especially critical for tankless water heaters and standby generators — they pull serious BTU and need correctly sized supply.
Pressure Testing & Inspection
Every new gas line we install gets pressure-tested before being put into service. We pressure-test, watch the gauge for a sustained period to confirm no leaks, and only then introduce gas. The local building department inspects and signs off before the meter is reconnected. We do not skip pressure testing. Ever.
Permits & Code Compliance
Gas work in Washington requires a permit. Period. We pull the permit, schedule the inspection, and bring the work up to current Washington Mechanical / Fuel Gas Code. If you have an old or non-compliant section in the line we're connecting to, we tell you and quote the upgrade as part of the work. We will not install new on top of unsafe existing.
What It Costs
Pricing depends on run length, material, accessibility, and whether the existing line at the meter has capacity for the additional load. We quote flat-rate before any work and itemize the permit and inspection costs separately so you know what's labor and what's third-party. Free estimate. No trip charge.