How to Cap a Gas Line
Locate the gas meter., Find the main valve.On the gas meter, there are two pipes., Turn the valve off., Turn the gas line off.Make sure the gas line's valve is also turned to the off position. , Remove any fittings or additional piping on the gas...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Locate the gas meter.
The gas meter is either near the garage or at the front of your house.
It will either be under your house, in a cabinet, part of a multiple meter, or underground.
The main gas valve is located at the gas meter. , One comes into meter from the gas supplier, and the other goes from the meter into your house.
The main valve is located on the pipe that comes in from the gas supplier.
The main valve looks like a thick rectangular metal tab with a hole.
The valve is parallel to the line when it is on and perpendicular when it is off.
On a multiple meter the valve is usually located at the top of a shared pipe.
Each unit has an individual shut off valve.
Make sure you know which meter is yours so you don’t accidentally shut off someone else’s gas supply.
Check with your landlord to make sure the meter goes to your unit. , Use a crescent wrench to turn it 90 degrees.
There will be another metal rectangular tab that is fixed, which runs perpendicular to the gas line.
When the gas is turned off, the holes on both of the tabs will line up. ,, Use a double wrench technique to loosen or remove the the fittings or piping so you don’t destroy any other threaded fittings under the valve.A double wrench technique means holding the valve with one crescent wrench while loosening the fitting with another crescent wrench.
If you are unable to use or don't have crescent wrenches, then use pipe wrenches instead. , Brush the threading with the steel wool until it is clean.
Make sure to clean any wool fibers left on the pipe. , Hold the tape down tight with your thumb on the first wrap.
Then, overlap the tape with each wrapping until is covered.
Make sure you wrap tape clockwise around the plug so it won’t unravel as you thread it.
Use Yellow Teflon Tape which is rated for gas.
You can also use Teflon pipe dope.
Apply the dope evenly on the threads on the gas line.
Do not use the dope and tape together.
Use the appropriate cap.
If the pipe is brass, use a brass cap.
If it is black iron, use a black iron cap. , Tighten the cap with your fingers.
Once it is tight enough to stay on, use the double-wrench technique to fully tighten the cap.Do not tighten the cap too much.
In fact, tightening the cap too much could crack the cap and cause a gas leak. , Use your crescent wrench to turn the metal tab back to the on position.
The metal tab should now run parallel to the incoming line from the gas supplier. , Once the gas is turned on, go back to the line and turn its valve on as well.
If you do not turn the gas line on, then you will not be able to test for any possible leaking. , Put a 50/50 mixture of dish soap and water into a spray bottle and shake it.
Spray the mixture onto the gas cap.
If you do not see any bubbles, then the cap is installed correctly.
However, if you see bubbles appear around the cap that means the gas is leaking.
Repeat the steps until there is no leak.
Besides looking for bubbles, listen for gas escaping.
It will sound like hissing. , You may need to relight the pilot light on your water heater and on other appliances since you turned off the gas. -
Step 2: Find the main valve.On the gas meter
-
Step 3: there are two pipes.
-
Step 4: Turn the valve off.
-
Step 5: Turn the gas line off.Make sure the gas line's valve is also turned to the off position.
-
Step 6: Remove any fittings or additional piping on the gas line.
-
Step 7: Use steel wool to clean the pipes.
-
Step 8: Wrap Teflon tape around the thread of the cap five times.
-
Step 9: Put the threaded cap on gas line.
-
Step 10: Turn the main gas back on.
-
Step 11: Turn the gas line on.
-
Step 12: Check for leaks.
-
Step 13: Relight pilot lights.
Detailed Guide
The gas meter is either near the garage or at the front of your house.
It will either be under your house, in a cabinet, part of a multiple meter, or underground.
The main gas valve is located at the gas meter. , One comes into meter from the gas supplier, and the other goes from the meter into your house.
The main valve is located on the pipe that comes in from the gas supplier.
The main valve looks like a thick rectangular metal tab with a hole.
The valve is parallel to the line when it is on and perpendicular when it is off.
On a multiple meter the valve is usually located at the top of a shared pipe.
Each unit has an individual shut off valve.
Make sure you know which meter is yours so you don’t accidentally shut off someone else’s gas supply.
Check with your landlord to make sure the meter goes to your unit. , Use a crescent wrench to turn it 90 degrees.
There will be another metal rectangular tab that is fixed, which runs perpendicular to the gas line.
When the gas is turned off, the holes on both of the tabs will line up. ,, Use a double wrench technique to loosen or remove the the fittings or piping so you don’t destroy any other threaded fittings under the valve.A double wrench technique means holding the valve with one crescent wrench while loosening the fitting with another crescent wrench.
If you are unable to use or don't have crescent wrenches, then use pipe wrenches instead. , Brush the threading with the steel wool until it is clean.
Make sure to clean any wool fibers left on the pipe. , Hold the tape down tight with your thumb on the first wrap.
Then, overlap the tape with each wrapping until is covered.
Make sure you wrap tape clockwise around the plug so it won’t unravel as you thread it.
Use Yellow Teflon Tape which is rated for gas.
You can also use Teflon pipe dope.
Apply the dope evenly on the threads on the gas line.
Do not use the dope and tape together.
Use the appropriate cap.
If the pipe is brass, use a brass cap.
If it is black iron, use a black iron cap. , Tighten the cap with your fingers.
Once it is tight enough to stay on, use the double-wrench technique to fully tighten the cap.Do not tighten the cap too much.
In fact, tightening the cap too much could crack the cap and cause a gas leak. , Use your crescent wrench to turn the metal tab back to the on position.
The metal tab should now run parallel to the incoming line from the gas supplier. , Once the gas is turned on, go back to the line and turn its valve on as well.
If you do not turn the gas line on, then you will not be able to test for any possible leaking. , Put a 50/50 mixture of dish soap and water into a spray bottle and shake it.
Spray the mixture onto the gas cap.
If you do not see any bubbles, then the cap is installed correctly.
However, if you see bubbles appear around the cap that means the gas is leaking.
Repeat the steps until there is no leak.
Besides looking for bubbles, listen for gas escaping.
It will sound like hissing. , You may need to relight the pilot light on your water heater and on other appliances since you turned off the gas.
About the Author
Tyler Martinez
Experienced content creator specializing in organization guides and tutorials.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: