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Home > Archive > Home Automation > June 2005 > Interior Of House Gas Shut Off Valves Question
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Interior Of House Gas Shut Off Valves Question
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| Robert11 2005-06-16, 2:16 pm |
| Have just learned that a house recently moved into apparently has
no gas shut off valves located inside the house for the
gas dryer, or the gas kitchen stove.
There is one for the furnace and hot water heater.
Plumber says it would be a really good idea to install one for the stove and
dryer, and, of course,
it would be.
But was wondering how "necessary" this is. The expense of a few hundred
dollars
is a bit of a concern.
Is this a "must-do" kind of thing ?
Are many houses in this situation, where the mains shut off valve outside
the house is the
one that would have to be used in an emergency, or whatever ?
Also,
This is the first time with a house with gas for the dryer and stove.
Was a bit surprised to see that these appliances are plumbed in pretty
rigidly
to the gas pipe. Would have thought a flexible hose would have been used
for the last few feet or so
to allow some positioning or movement of the appliance. But, I guess not.
Anyone care to explain this a bit ?
Thanks.
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"Robert11" <rgsrose@notme.com> wrote in message
news:ZPKdnRVq386R76DfRVn-rw@comcast.com...
quote:
> Have just learned that a house recently moved into apparently has
> no gas shut off valves located inside the house for the
> gas dryer, or the gas kitchen stove.
>
> There is one for the furnace and hot water heater.
>
> Plumber says it would be a really good idea to install one for the stove
and
quote:
> dryer, and, of course,
> it would be.
>
> But was wondering how "necessary" this is. The expense of a few hundred
> dollars
> is a bit of a concern.
>
> Is this a "must-do" kind of thing ?
>
> Are many houses in this situation, where the mains shut off valve outside
> the house is the
> one that would have to be used in an emergency, or whatever ?
>
> Also,
>
> This is the first time with a house with gas for the dryer and stove.
> Was a bit surprised to see that these appliances are plumbed in pretty
> rigidly
> to the gas pipe. Would have thought a flexible hose would have been used
> for the last few feet or so
> to allow some positioning or movement of the appliance. But, I guess
not.
quote:
>
> Anyone care to explain this a bit ?
>
> Thanks.
You can get by with out the valves. But when you want to do anything with
the appliances you will need to shut off the service and then re light all
of the pilots if you have them.
A couple hundred bucks for two valves?? Dude your getting ripped.
All of the home stores carry gas valves, not water valves but gas. I use
Teflon tape and pipe dope tighten then turn on the gas with the valve off.
Check for leaks with leak detector or liquid soap. No leaks then install the
appliance. Make the flexible hoses for the stove and dryer long enough that
you can get the appliance out of its installed position and get to the valve
for servicing.
Heating is always better with gas and cheaper as well.
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| J Baber 2005-06-16, 2:16 pm |
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Robert11 wrote:
quote:
>Have just learned that a house recently moved into apparently has
>no gas shut off valves located inside the house for the
>gas dryer, or the gas kitchen stove.
>
>There is one for the furnace and hot water heater.
>
>
Jim Baber replies: (Even if it is not Home Automation, it is important)
Since I live in California, I am very aware of earthquakes, I had
significant damage in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. Your plumber is quite
correct even if he is overpriced. You do need a valve at the wall, with
the flexible line that you wanted to go to the appliance. I personally
want that appliance chained/strapped to the wall within a distance that
limits any movement of the appliance to remain within the easy reach of
the flexible line.
Do not assume you are safe from earthquakes!
The 2 worst earthquakes recorded in North America were NOT in
California, one was in Alaska, and the largest was in Missouri (it was
felt in New York city), and there are several small, but active faults
in New York state.
quote:
>Plumber says it would be a really good idea to install one for the stove and
>dryer, and, of course,
>it would be.
>
>But was wondering how "necessary" this is. The expense of a few hundred
>dollars
>is a bit of a concern.
>
>Is this a "must-do" kind of thing ?
>
>Are many houses in this situation, where the mains shut off valve outside
>the house is the
>one that would have to be used in an emergency, or whatever ?
>
>Also,
>
>This is the first time with a house with gas for the dryer and stove.
>Was a bit surprised to see that these appliances are plumbed in pretty
>rigidly
>to the gas pipe. Would have thought a flexible hose would have been used
>for the last few feet or so
>to allow some positioning or movement of the appliance. But, I guess not.
>
>Anyone care to explain this a bit ?
>
>Thanks.
>
You do also need to consider other things that can physically shake
your domicile up like severe storms (tornados floods hurricanes...), out
of control vehicles (cars, trucks, trains, airplanes...you've seen them
all in the news). What you do not want is to have anything break that
gas line.
The valve is also a nice thing if you want to disconnect 1 item for
repair or replacement without disturbing all the others. As yours is
now, if you wanted to disconnect your stove because you smelled gas, you
would also have to do without heat and hot water until the stove was
either fixed or replaced.
--
Jim Baber
Email jim@NOJUNKbaber.org
See our 10kW grid tied solar system at "www.baber.org"
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| wkearney99 2005-06-16, 2:16 pm |
| > Is this a "must-do" kind of thing ?
Without cut offs for each device you'd have to relight each and every pilot
should you need to service anything. Not a "big deal" but if you get it
wrong then it's KA-BOOM.
quote:
> This is the first time with a house with gas for the dryer and stove.
> Was a bit surprised to see that these appliances are plumbed in pretty
> rigidly to the gas pipe. Would have thought a flexible hose would
> have been used for the last few feet or so
> to allow some positioning or movement of the appliance.
It's generally not a good idea to take risks with gas. As such not being
able to move the appliances around helps avoid trouble. There's something
to be said for using flexible connections (helps cleaning behind/underneath)
but not if it risks turning your house into matchsticks.
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