Gas line installation runs new gas piping to appliances such as ranges, dryers, water heaters, fireplaces, generators and outdoor grills. A licensed professional sizes the line for the total gas load, installs it to code, pressure tests it, and arranges the required permit and inspection.
Call for Same Day Service (833) 763-0420Gas piping is sized by the total demand of every appliance on the system and the length of the run. An undersized line can starve appliances, especially high-demand tankless water heaters.
Most jurisdictions require a permit, a pressure test and an inspection before the gas is turned on, and outdoor lines must be buried to code depth.
When You Need a New Gas Line
You need a new gas line when you add or move a gas appliance: a range, dryer, tankless water heater, fireplace, generator or outdoor kitchen.
- Switching an electric appliance to gas
- Adding an outdoor kitchen, fire pit or generator
- Upgrading to a tankless water heater
- A remodel that moves gas appliances
Why Gas Lines Have to Be Sized
Every gas appliance has an input rating in BTUs per hour on its label. A gas line is sized for the total demand of everything it feeds and the length of the run. If a new appliance, especially a tankless water heater, is added to a line that's too small, appliances can starve for gas when they run at the same time, causing poor performance and incomplete combustion. That's why a new appliance sometimes means a larger line back toward the meter.
How a Gas Line Is Installed
The plumber calculates the total gas demand, sizes the pipe for it, installs the line and shutoff valves, then pressure tests the system and has it inspected before the gas is turned on.
- Calculate the gas load and plan the route.
- Pull the permit.
- Install the piping and shutoff valves.
- Pressure test, pass inspection and connect the appliances.
What Affects the Cost of Gas Line Installation
Gas line cost depends on the total gas load, the length of the run and whether part of it runs underground.
- Total gas demand of all appliances on the line.
- Length and route of the run.
- Pipe material and bonding for CSST.
- Outdoor trenching to code depth.
- Permit, pressure test and inspection.
Gas Safety During Installation
- You smell gas at any point. Leave and call the utility from outside.
- An existing line was damaged while digging.
Fuel Gas Codes Differ by City
Fort Worth adopted the International Fuel Gas Code together with its plumbing code, so gas line installations there follow the IFGC with local amendments. In Seattle, gas piping is regulated under a separate city gas piping license. Confirm the installer holds the license your city requires.
Local plumbing details: Fort Worth, Seattle
Before the Plumber Arrives
- Appliance gas ratings from the labels.
- Call 811 before any digging.
Gas Line Installation is one part of gas line repair.
Gas Line Installation Questions
Can I install my own gas line?
Gas work should be done by a licensed professional. Many jurisdictions require it, along with a permit and inspection.
Does a tankless water heater need a bigger gas line?
Often, yes. Tankless units use much more gas while running than tank models, so the existing line may be too small.