Gas is a common source of energy used in many households for cooking. The pipe that carries gas over the years may have issues, so it’s necessary to check it regularly. A leaking gas pipe can be very dangerous to the home. That’s why you must know all the maintenance procedures as well as how to cut a gas pipe in the house.
The gas pipes involved in the movement of the gas can be from different materials. Most gas pipes are made of copper, iron, and rubber. Iron and copper have their ways of cutting them, while those made of rubber-like PEX pipes have another way to cut them.
However, I have shown some simple steps that you can follow to cut any type of gas pipe efficiently. The steps are straightforward, and the tips guiding the cutting process are elaborated for your use.
Steps Need To Follow To Cut A Gas Pipe In The House:
The gas pipes are mostly made of iron which can be a complex material to cut but actually, it is not. The procedure is simple and will lead to an excellent clean-cut. Below is a series of steps to be followed while cutting the gas pipes.
Step 1: Locate The Gas Meter
Find the house’s gas meter in front of the house or garage. Proceed to turn the meter when you identify it. It is turned off to reduce gas passing through to the oven or house parts.
The main valve at the meter is turned off using a crescent pipe wrench at an angle of 90 degrees. It is crucial to identify the main pipe that brings in the gas from the supplier and the second pipe that brings in gas to the house. This is especially common where the main meter area has multiple meters for each different place.
Step 2: Removing The Fittings
The fittings that are along the pipe of the gas line can be easily removed. It is necessary to remove the fitting if the area identified to be cut coincides with a fitting. Using the two wrenches, turn the pipe fitting at 90 degrees. In this technique, one pie wrench holds the valve at a fixed point, while the other wrench loosens the fitting. The Hautmec straight wrench works very well.
Step 3: Identify The Place To Be Cut
The fitting is off the gas line, making it easier to identify the specific area to cut. This fitting is measured using a measurement tape, and a mark is made using a pen on the place to be cut. It is essential to repeat the measuring of the pipe severally as cutting the wrong area may lead to unnecessary other cuttings.
Step 4: Cut The Pipe
To help cut the fitting, use a tubing cutter, such as the Sharkbite Tubing Cutter. You will open the cutter’s jaws by turning the handle. Hold the pipe tightly using the handle where the cutting area is visible. Rotate the handle around the pipe twice or thrice, then a visible line will be seen around the place to cut.
Continue tightening the cutter and turn the cutter’s handle around the pipe. As the handle rotates, it cuts into the pipe at the marked area. The blade is tightened to prevent the line from moving as it is cut. Remove the tube from the cutter by rotating the handle and snapping the pipe, ensuring the area marked is at the center. The tube should then separate at the cut area.
Step 5: Thread The Pipe
When the cut pipe is returned to the gas line, it is mandatory to thread the pipe so that joining the fittings becomes easy. Place the tube in a vise and turn its handle anticlockwise to provide space for the pipe to be accommodated. After the pipe vise well holds the tube, get the ratchet pipe threader to place the threads.
The threader contains a circular die head at the very end and has a ring with some teeth inside. The teeth of the threader are what cut the threads onto the pipe. Then, place the threader at the end of the pipe and turn the threader. The teeth make the threads on the pipe as it turns.
Steps Needed To Follow To Cut A PEX Gas Pipe In The House:
The PEX pipe is common in most houses as it helps move gas from the cylinders to the ovens. They are also easy to install and are cheaper. Below is a step-by-step procedure to help you cut a PEX pipe the best way possible.
Step 1: Avail Necessary Tools
The cutting of PEX pipe involves the use of specific tools. Get a PEX cutter tool from hardware or buy one from online stores. The PEX pipe can also be cut using a PEX tube in the case of an emergency. However, it is not the best to use as the cleanliness of the cut is compromised. An expander tool is also necessary to stretch the pipe to the desired level to fit into an attachment.
Step 2: Measure The PEX Tube
You should straighten out the tube. Straightening is done to ensure that the cut is even and done correctly. A pipe should be stretched as much as possible. PEX pipes are then measured according to the lengths desired by the cutter. It is important to add an inch in size to be cut to provide some room for the expansion and contraction of the pipe.
Step 3: Marking The Area
After measuring the pipe, carefully mark the place to be cut using a pen. The mark is instrumental in ensuring that the pipe cut is accurate, making the work much easier. Be careful not to mark the wrong area as this will lead to wrong cuts. After marking, insert the place to be cut into the mouth of the tool. Ensure that the line is cut exactly under the cutter’s blades.
Step 4: Squeeze The Cutter
The first thing here is to grip the handles of the cutter firmly. Squeeze the handles together to ensure that the mouth of the cutter is well closed on the tube. Continue squeezing until the blade on the cutter is through the PEX pipe or till the blades cannot be squeezed anymore.
Step 5: Remove Crimp Rings
Ensure a pair of pliers and a PEX crimp ring cutter are close when cutting the PEX pipe. Hold the tube using the pliers and remove the iwiss PEX cutter, which, in fact is the best on the market, from the pipe. The crimp ring on the cut tube is placed on the ring cutter, and the handles are squeezed down. Squeezing cuts the crimp ring and leaves a clean cut.
Things To Consider While Cutting A Gas Pipe In The House
Cutting a gas pipe is easy when some important considerations are made. These considerations make the procedure seamless and perfect. Below are some that, when considered, lead to maximum positive results.
- Type of Material:
It is important to consider the material that makes up the gas pipe. This is because pipes are made of different materials. Some pipes are soft, while others are quite hard to cut. The harder the material of the pipe, the more technical the technique and tool that will be used to cut it. PEX pipes are very flexible, making them easier to cut than copper pipes.
- The Diameter Of The Pipe:
The size of the pipe in terms of diameter is an important consideration that one needs to take. Pipes come in different diameters, and it is important to know the exact diameter in question. The common pipe cutters cannot hold some pipes because they are too big. Before embarking on the pipe cutting, it is crucial to check the size and the tool you intend to use.
- The Effect On Neighbors:
The main gas line is also used to distribute gas to the neighbors. This means you cannot just cut off the main gas line without knowing which pipe goes into the house. There are multiple meters on a gas meter, and you have to cut off the respective one to the house. Confirm before you cut off the gas supply to avoid inconveniencing others.
- The Length You Intend To Cut:
Before cutting the gas pipe, it is crucial to accurately determine the size of the pipe you want to cut. This is because cutting the wrong size means you will probably repeat the procedure. Repeating makes it more expensive and time-consuming. It is therefore important to double-check the exact size needed.
Tips Should Follow To Cut A Gas Pipe Perfectly And Safely In The House
Cutting gas pipes is an easy procedure that is made easier when some important tips are considered. Below are some tips that will lead to a successful cut. The tips guide you in your cutting procedure and make the process so seamless and error-free.
Tip 1: Do Not Pinch The Tubes
Try as much as possible to avoid pinching the tubes. It usually occurs during the fitting removal. This is where a hole develops in the cutting process and during the rotation of the tube as it is cut. The holes then develop into gas leaks when placed back. It is therefore important to handle the cutting of the pipes carefully.
Tip 2: Ensure To Get A Straight Cut
A straight cut is very achievable when the right procedures are followed. An irregular-shaped cut is bad for a pipe as it cannot be used that way. This means it must be cut repeatedly until a straight cut is achieved. The repetitive cutting leads to loss of time and loss of the length of pipe wasted.
Tip 3: Do Not Create Angles
It is important to ensure no angles on the pipes under any given circumstance. Angles on a pipe are disastrous as rectifying them needs cutting the pipes all over again. The areas with angles on a pipe are also highly susceptible to gas leaks as they are weak.
Tip 4: Confirm Measurements
When measuring, ensure the marked area is visible and accurate. Accuracy will guarantee a good outcome as there will be no need to repeat the measurement. When the measurements are inaccurate, the pipe cut is of the wrong length, leading to wastage of time.
Related Questions:
Is It Ok To Cut Gas Pipe?
It Is completely okay to cut gas pipes. The cutting of the gas pipes comes up after you have realized a gas leak or rusting on the pipe. Gas leaks are quite rare, but when they occur, fixing the cut piece and replacing it is mandatory. The main reason why this is done is that gas leaks can be extremely dangerous and fatal.
There is a possibility of rust on gas pipes, so they must be inspected before the condition worsens. Leaving the spoilt gas pipe alone poses serious risks, so it has to be cut. The law in most places also allows individual property owners to maintain the gas lines that come into their houses.
How Do You Cut And Thread A Gas Pipe?
If the pipe that is cut will be returned to the gas line, it’s mandatory to thread the pipe. Threading is done so that joining the fittings becomes easy. Place the pipe in a vise and turn the handle counterclockwise to provide space for the pipe to accommodate.
After the pipe is well held by the pipe vise, get the ratchet pipe threader to place the threads. The threader contains a circular die head at the end with a ring with some teeth inside. Then, place the threader at the end of the pipe and turn the threader. Threads will be made on the pipe as it turns.
How Do You Cut A Copper Gas Line?
There are different methods of cutting copper pipes, depending on the size and number of pipes being cut. The tools that can be used are the auto-cut tool or the tube cutter. When the pipes are smaller than an inch, the best tool is the auto-cut tool.
This tool is very easy to use as you only need to rotate the tool around the pipe, and the cut will be clean. However, the best tool for large pipes is the tubing cutter to which the pipe is tightly attached. The pipe is then rotated on the cutter, resulting in a nice clean cut.
What Is The Easiest Way To Cut Gas Pipe In The House?
The first step is to cut off the gas supply at the main gas valve. Using a wrench, remove the fitting or pipe you need to cut. The tool to cut the pipe depends on the size of the piper, small pipes can be cut using the auto-cut tool, where one turns the tool around the pipe.
The other option is to use bigger pipes where a pipe cutter is used. The marked line where the pipe is to be cut has to be visible to make the cutting easier and more accurate. A pipe is then tightly fixed on the cutter to prevent any movement. The pipe is then rotated round, resulting in a clean and smart cut.
Can You Cut Gas Pipe In The House By Yourself?
It is possible to cut a gas pipe without help from someone else. The reason is that tools are used extensively. These tools are the ones that have replaced the human function in the cutting of the pipes. If one is cutting using a pipe cutter, it is the tool’s job to hold the pipe as you turn it.
When two wrenches are being used, one is used to hold one end of the pipe in place while the other wrench rotates the pipe that is being removed. Each wrench is held by one hand. Therefore, there is no need for someone else’s involvement as the tools are for one person’s use.
Is It Hard To Cut Gas Pipe In The House?
It is not difficult to cut gas pipes in the house. When followed correctly, a suitable procedure makes gas pipe cutting easy. In addition, specialized tools are used to cut the gas pipes, which makes the job easier. Tools do all the hard work that is involved with the cutting of the gas pipes.
Gas pipes are all about safety and caution, meaning that when the gas supply is off, there is no risk of a gas leak. When the gas supply is cut, the procedure becomes much easier to carry out because there is no danger of an explosion. This makes the removal of gas pipes very convenient and easy.
Final Verdict:
Cutting gas pipes is a relatively simple exercise to carry out when done the right way. The steps and procedures in this article clearly illustrate how to cut a gas pipe in the house. When there is an occurrence of gas leaks in our homes, the guidelines will enable you to cut gas pipes in the house in the best way possible.
You should carry out the cutting process cautiously, but it’s also essential to be at ease. This can be particularly interesting to those who have never done it before, as using specialized tools will fascinate them.
References
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Kim, M. S., & Lee, S. K. (2009, November 24). Detection of leak acoustic signal in buried gas pipe based on the time frequency analysis. Journal of loss prevention in the process of industries, 22(6), 990-994. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S095042300800082
Roebers, H. J. (2006, October 2). Gas Pipework Installation In Buildings:New Plastics or Traditional Copper? RIS.UTWENTE. Retrieved July 18, 2022, from https://ris.utwente.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/59265775/Wolters2006gas.pdf
Wu, T., Jiang, N., Zhou, C., Luo, X., Li, H., & Xia, Y. (2021, December 1). Dynamic response and safety assessment of buried gas pipe subjected to ground surface explosion. International Journal of pressure vessels and piping, 194(104), 220-223.
