Can You Use Galvanized Pipe For Gas Lines

Will Natural Gas Corrode Galvanized pipes?

Would y'all rather take a leaking water pipe or a leaking gas pipe? I am sure you would be happy if y'all could avoid both altogether.

When it comes to installation of h2o pipes, there are then many materials to cull from. The same does not nonetheless apply to natural gas. Black pipage is the preferred cloth by many plumbers, although galvanized pipes are also used.

Galvanized pipes are basically steel pipes which have been coated with a layer of zinc. This is washed to meliorate their properties past keeping off wet and oxygen which causes corrosion.

Natural gas will non corrode steel pipes. For corrosion to occur at that place needs to be oxygen and water. What happens with old galvanized pipes is that they were poorly galvanized, and a outcome the zinc coating usually flakes off and end upward clogging gas regulators and burner units.

Black pipes (besides known every bit black iron piping or black malleable iron) are the best piping for natural gas transportation. Mod galvanized pipes whose coating does not flake off can also be used unless they are restricted by local codes.

Galvanized and black pipes can be mixed in natural gas transportation unless restricted by local plumbing lawmaking. The connection creates a dissimilar metal reaction which is zip to worry about if the connexion is in the atmosphere but a significant one if the connectedness is underground.

What you all the same demand to know is that galvanized pipes are not allowed to behave natural gas hugger-mugger in many areas. This is because they will eventually corrode and could cause a gas leak. Instead, a mill coated steel pipage must be used.

The aforementioned besides applies to black iron pipes. Since they are neither coated nor galvanized, they corrode faster than galvanized pipes and should not be used underground. A special steel pipe that is coated with plastic materials must be used in order to keep out the moisture.

The problem with galvanized pipes is that the zinc glaze will eventually peel off exposing the steel to wet and oxygen. When that happens corrosion is inevitable. Equally the corrosion process accelerates, the pipe continues to weakens and a gas leak will exist a thing of when and not if.

Unlike former galvanized pipes which were poorly coated with zinc, modern galvanized pipes are of a improve quality. You tin can therefore use them for natural gas transportation without the zinc flaking off and clogging gas regulators and burner units.

Black Pipe vs. Galvanized Pipe for Natural Gas

Black iron pipes and galvanized pipes are basically the same thing only that galvanized pipes have a zinc coating to protect them from corrosion. Black iron pipes are named equally such due to the black iron oxide coating which forms when the pipes react with oxygen.

Due to the extra process (galvanization) used in the manufacture of galvanized pipes; they tend to exist more expensive than blackness iron pipes. Don't be surprised however to encounter black atomic number 26 pipes existence pricier than galvanized pipes.

Dwelling house improvements stores know blackness iron pipes are the most preferred pipes for natural gas and they therefore take that reward to raise the prices.

One of the main differences betwixt black and galvanized pipes is that blackness iron pipes are manufactured without a seam which is excellent in leak prevention. They are also used in fire sprinkler systems due to their loftier estrus resistance.

Some people (homeowners and professionals) are of the opinion that galvanized pipes should non exist used for natural gas transportation. There are those who even go ahead and merits that it is illegal. But is it?

The fear, equally I had earlier stated emanates from old and poorly made galvanized pipes flaking off and plugging valves and orifices. That is however old news. Modern galvanized pipes are as skilful equally black pipes when used for transportation of natural gas.

Both the International Residential Lawmaking (IRC) and Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) practice not prohibit the use of galvanized pipes for natural gas transportation. Local plumbing codes may however restrict it so check with your local licensed plumber.

Why Blackness Pipes are Preferred for Natural Gas than Galvanized Pipes

If you lot check in many homes, y'all will discover that near natural gas pipes are blackness pipes and inappreciably galvanized pipes. Why is this the case though?

Here are the reasons why plumbers (and homeowners) prefer black pipes to galvanized pipes for natural gas transportation:

1. They are Cheap

As I had mentioned before it costs more to produce galvanized pipes than black pipes. This is due to the extra zinc-coating procedure that is used in the production of the galvanized pipes.

The assumption in this example is that the 2 pipes have the same thickness. If the black fe pipe is however thicker than the usual galvanized pipes (every bit is the case with natural gas pipes), information technology is going to be more than expensive.

ii. Most Houses Have Galvanized Water Pipes

Millions of houses in the United States have galvanized water pipes. It therefore makes sense to use a dissimilar piping for transporting gas across the firm.

Imagine a scenario where both water and gas pipes in the firm all await the same. That would be quite baroque especially when you lot need to carry out a plumbing repair.

That is however not to suggest that you can't use galvanized pipes to transport gas if yous already have galvanized water pipes. If you decide to do so, consider painting the galvanized pipes carrying natural gas a yellowish colour to clearly distinguish them from h2o pipes.

Note: If you lot still accept galvanized water pipes in your firm, my recommendation is to supplant them with PEX or copper pipes. I have written a detailed guide on why that is important. Read it hither.

Can Yous Mix Galvanized and Blackness Pipe for Natural Gas?

Another question that troubles homeowners when installing natural gas pipes is whether it is a good idea to mix black and galvanized pipes or fittings in the connections.

Again, there is no consensus among plumbers on this issue. The Uniform plumbing Code besides does not prohibit information technology but local plumbing codes may.

The argument here is that connecting a black pipage to a galvanized pipe results into dissimilar metal or galvanic reaction between the black iron and the galvanized blanket, resulting in leaks.

Is this true though? Some plumbers will tell yous that is nix other than hogwash.

The truth of the thing nevertheless is that the reaction volition occur, but will exist insignificant when the pipes are installed in the atmosphere (inside the house). If on the other hand the connectedness is made clandestine where h2o and oxygen are in enough, the reaction will be quite significant.

To avoid issues in the future peculiarly if you ever need to sell your business firm, I would simply avoid it. Unless your local plumbing code prohibits it, the determination is solely yours.