Comments on: Need some help replacing electric cooktop with gas

Question: Need some help replacing electric cooktop with gas

jluce50 — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:57:48 -0800

As I've become more and more interested in cooking my satisfaction with my electric inductive cooktop has gone proportionately down. I scored an awesome deal on a used gas cooktop on Craigslist and now I need to hook it up. I'm fairly handy, if not very experienced, but my brother-in-law will be helping and he's very competent. Please, no advice to hire a professional. I've researched the safety aspect of this and I'm confident that we can handle this safely.

On to my questions...

1) The cooktop didn't come with a pressure regulator and I'm not sure if I need one. Some people say that natural gas is regulated at the meter and so it's unnecessary, while others insist it is necessary. If it is, do I have to pay $75 for the OEM part or can I get a generic replacement at HomeDepot? I did come across this part for $23 that is supposedly for my model, but it doesn't give any info and it's the only non-OEM part I've found anywhere which makes me nervous. Any thoughts?

2) As far as running the pipe, I understand that HomeDepot will thread pipe for me, but what about where I tap into the existing pipe to add the tee? Do I need to thread the pipe for that or are there non-threaded fittings for stuff like that? If threaded, how do I tee into the existing pipe without having to reconnect every junction downline from the tee? I would be teeing in right after the main shutoff valve where the pipe comes out of the ground and into the house, so it would be a major bummer to have to reconnect everything.

By: scarello

scarello — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:02:36 -0800

Have you checked your local regulations? As much as you don't want to hire a professional, depending on where you are from, it may be the law to do so.

By: RussHy

RussHy — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:13:03 -0800

Check your local building codes; they will tell you what you need to do.

By: le morte de bea arthur

le morte de bea arthur — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:14:44 -0800

Seconding checking the regulations. The last thing you want to do is invalidate your home insurance over the cost of having someone spend an hour hooking the cooktop up.

The fact that you have all these questions implies quite strongly that you're not qualified to do this work; obviously I can't say the same for your brother-in-law, but if he can't answer the questions either I'd be very concerned.

If you decide to carry on and hook it up yourself, at least get it inspected afterwards by someone who is qualified; your insurance may depend on it.

By: odinsdream

odinsdream — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:24:05 -0800

Are you familiar with the soapy-water test for gas leaks in pipe?

By: thermonuclear.jive.turkey

thermonuclear.jive.turkey — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:28:13 -0800

it would be a major bummer to have to reconnect everything.

It would be a major bummer to blow up your house.

Pardon my candor, but in spite of your assertions of competence, your questions make me think you and your B-I-L aren't really sure what you're doing.

You say you don't want anyone telling you to hire a professional, so I won't. I'll just remind you that the potential consequences of making a mistake could be very high. There's a reason why people who professionally deal with natural gas installations, need to get formal certification.

IF you still insist on doing it yourself, gets some kind of formal information - asking for anecdotal advice (ex. people telling you whether you do or do not need a pressure regulator) isn't the way to install equipment that, if done improperly, would be life threatening. If you aren't going to hire a professional, then at least try to talk to one.

By: jferg

jferg — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:43:04 -0800

What thermonuclear.jive.turkey said. Gas isn't something to take working on lightly, and not a good way to learn about plumbing. The questions you're asking aren't something that somebody D-I-Ying gas lines should be asking.

By: jon1270

jon1270 — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:43:56 -0800

2) As far as running the pipe, I understand that HomeDepot will thread pipe for me, but what about where I tap into the existing pipe to add the tee? Do I need to thread the pipe for that...

Yes.

or are there non-threaded fittings for stuff like that?

No.

If threaded, how do I tee into the existing pipe without having to reconnect every junction downline from the tee?

Probably by cutting the pipe, removing both halves of the cut section, cutting one of those halves into 2 pieces (so you now have 3 pieces of pipe), cutting them to length and threading them so that where you used to have a single section of pipe you now have pile-tee-pipe-union-pipe. The union is what lets you avoid disassembling everything else.

I would be teeing in right after the main shutoff valve where the pipe comes out of the ground and into the house, so it would be a major bummer to have to reconnect everything.

Prepare for major bummer.

Please don't take any of this as advice that you should proceed to DIY this. I'm with those that think you're biting off an awful lot for someone who has to ask the questions you're asking.

By: jon1270

jon1270 — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:46:21 -0800

Sorry, that should've been pipe-tee-pipe-union-pipe.

By: jluce50

jluce50 — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:50:30 -0800

The plan is to hire a plumber to come out and run a pressure test when we're done. And, yes, I'm familiar with the soapy water test. Hopefully that alleviates some concern.

My B-I-L won't have a lot of time so I was going to try to get all the parts and have everything mapped out so he can just come help put everything together.

This is also a learning experience for me. I'm trying to do my own research because I learn better that way. He can come over the tell me "this goes here and this is used for that", but that's not as helpful to me personally.

Also, I spoke to a buddy who is in construction and deals exclusively with insurance repair/remodeling and he said the local building codes are somewhat vague and minimally enforced. He's never seen a claim denied due to unpermitted work on gas lines. He indicated he would have no problem working with gas pipe as long as you were well read on the proper precautions, etc.

I understand and appreciate the concern, but does anyone have any specific answers to my questions?

By: googlebombed

googlebombed — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:11:41 -0800

I don't know where you are located but would very strongly advise you to listen to the posters up thread who suggested that you get a licensed gas fitter to do the installation. My father is such a person and would tell you that you are asking for trouble to attempt to do this yourself. In the province of Ontario (where I am located), if you have an accident because of an improper gas hookup/installation without the tradesman's provincially issued tag, you at the least would not get a settlement from your homeowner's insurance and could face other issues. As well, a plumber is not necessarily a gas fitter unless they have the proper training/credentials. Please be responsible when it comes to something as potentially lethal as natural gas. This is not a DIY situation. Just spend the money and hire someone with experience and license to do this for you.

By: Mitheral

Mitheral — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:12:28 -0800

jon1270 has the basic procedure on how to break into the center of the run. Note that you'll need to rent a pipe cutter and threader to do this. Much easier would be to tap into the bottom of a sediment trap T. You'll notice if you look that gas lines don't lead directly into, for example, your furnace. Instead the pipe is connected with a T one end of which points straight down with a short nipple and cap. It is dead simple to screw off the nipple & cap, add another T and short nipple and install the nipple & cap again.

Also soft drawn copper pipe is much easier to run, especially in a renovation, and only has two joints for the whole run greatly reducing the chance of leaks. Not legal everywhere so check with your inspector but a good way to go if it's allowed.

By: geos

geos — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:17:59 -0800

I've done some DIY gas plumbing. Please, take into account what others have said about considering the risks of making a mistake: plan for failure!

Luckily, nat. gas is easier to vent out than lp.

Have you considered hiring a plumber to install the T (that's going to be the hardest part) and then doing the rest yourself? Also, have you considered whether you have enough pipe diameter to support flow to your other gas appliances (furnace?) and the stove?

By: theora55

theora55 — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:31:52 -0800

Seriously. Call the gas company and ask what the requirements are. Maybe they'll come out and inspect the setup for free. You should also test the cooktop. A small gas leak can kill you or seriously affect your health.

This: My Brother-in-law helped me install the gas stove. We didn't need professional assistance. doesn't pass the BS Test

By: KokuRyu

KokuRyu — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:31:54 -0800

I worked with my father's gasfitting business during university. What you're proposing to do is complicated and dangerous. You need to hire a professional.

By: KokuRyu

KokuRyu — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:33:33 -0800

Have you considered hiring a plumber to install the T

Oh, plumbers love it when people do this.

By: odinsdream

odinsdream — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:38:21 -0800

Also, I spoke to a buddy who is in construction and deals exclusively with insurance repair/remodeling and he said the local building codes are somewhat vague and minimally enforced.

Some building codes might be trivial, but incorrectly installing a gas line will cause serious property damage and/or death. If you get this wrong explosive gas will leak into your home and ignite. Consequences will vary after that event, but that event will happen if you get something wrong.

By: jluce50

jluce50 — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:51:38 -0800

"Good god, you're tackling a installing a gas line as a learning experience?!?"

You're right. I'll master the art of working with gas lines before ever working with gas lines. Why didn't I think of that?

Of course it's a learning experience! What isn't? I'm reading up on necessary precautions, talking to people with experience (or attempting to anyway), and working with people that have some experience. When it's all done, I'll have it professionally tested for leaks. I understand some level of concern, but good grief...

By: yohko

yohko — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:06:12 -0800

Basically you have two different things you will be doing, first is running a new gas line, after which you will have the pressure test done. Do turn off the gas before you start and let any excess pressure out of the lines.

If you are having a pressure test done to 15 psi after you do the work I think it's pretty unlikely that you will have some mistake in there that will blow up your house. Be sure to turn off the valves to all your gas appliances before you do that, otherwise it can ruin some of their parts.

it would be a major bummer to have to reconnect everything

This is why when you have work done on the gas lines under your house you want to have an extra, unused T put on so you don't have to take everything apart. Look around for one before you get started. It might be easier to use one located in a different spot than where you were thinking about connecting the line. Be sure to include an extra unused T for the future.

Oh, and if you have a crawl space get some safety goggles and dust masks.

Your second task is hooking your gas stove up to the gas outlet that's now in your kitchen. Call your gas company and ask about pressure regulators. You'll be attaching the stove to the new gas valve in your kitchen with a flexible hose. Buy a new one even if one is already attached to the stove. Then do the soapy water test and make sure any pilot lights stay lit.

If you don't schedule your pressure test in advance be prepared to be without gas to your house for a few days. Depending on where you live, you might also need an inspection.

By: yohko

yohko — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:13:51 -0800

I guess I should point out that I only have experience hooking up appliances to existing gas lines (the second task I mentioned). I hired someone to crawl around in the crawl space and run the lines.

Also, if you don't already have a stove hood that vents to the outside you should put one in.