A flexible gas pipe is a specific type of gas pipe used to run gas line to various appliances used in the home, such as gas fireplaces, clothes dryers, gas ranges etc. You may currently have rigid steel pipe installed which can limit the placement of your gas appliances. When you need to set the fireplace or other appliance further than where the gas current pipe is located, you can use this flexible pipe to connect the gas from the rigid steel pipe to the fireplace

Installing a gas fireplace or gas stove will require that a natural gas line is run to the unit. While steel pipes are available which are solid and do not bend, there may be certain corners or angles which you need to go around. In these cases you can use a flexible gas pipe which can be bent around corners and through other special angles without having to use multiple pipe joints or connections and is available from Copperfield Chimney Supply .

Check Your Flexible Gas Pipe for Gas Leaks

After installing a gas fireplace or stove using flexible gas pipe or solid gas piping, you should always check for gas leaks before using the unit the first time. You can take some mild dish detergent and apply a drop or two around the pipe connections. If you notice soap bubbles forming after the gas line is turned on, then you have a gas leak. You should turn off the gas and fix all leaks and repeat this process until the line is secure.

CSST Bonding by Tony Leggett

Most of us in the hearth industry work with appliances that need gas lines of sort run. Whether it is iron piping, copper, or corrugated stainless steel tubing, our sales are affected by the cost and simplicity of these gas runs. Corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST), also known by many as the yellow flexible pipe, has been around for a while and has become very popular among mechanical contractors. It's simplicity and code compliance, with no concealed unions like copper, has made it a popular alternative to copper.

Many are unaware of the fact that there are some discrepancies in National Codes for this type of a gas run. In fact, CSST manufacturers already require that their gas lines be electrically bonded via 6-AWG bonding wire to the building's electrical bond. National Fuel Gas Code and the International Fuel Gas Code also require bonding in the same manner. However, the National Electrical Code allows the use of the equipment bonding conductor on the gas appliance (the third ground wire from a gas-fired appliance) to serve as the bonding wire. At this point, compliance has been relegated to the inspector's opinion, thus leaving many mechanical contractors without a black and white answer on how to bond these runs.

The purpose of bonding these lines is not unfounded. According to UL, there is over $1 billion dollars in structural damage due to lightening strikes in the US annually. Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times per year with each strike able to carry over 100 million volts. Although there really is no way to completely safeguard a structure from a direct hit, CSST is vulnerable to damage from even a nearby strike. Since most CSST's yellow PVC coating does not insulate well enough to prevent an electrical arc to a nearby combustible and a subsequent hole in the gas line from the arc, the bonding is an attempt to neutralize the problem.

Fortunately, to proactively eliminate the need for the 6-AWG bonding wire and labor cost, some CSST manufacturers have developed a conductive jacket that eliminates the manufacturer's requirement for a bonding wire and labor. Due to the above mentioned variances, it is imperative to ask your local building officials how they enforce the codes on CSST. Since it has become such a major part of our hearth sales, we must also be aware of any impending gas run price hikes, so we can respond proactively.

When you want Napoleon stoves for your home, you will be able to choose from both wood burning and gas models. Napoleon also manufacturers accessories to go with both types of stoves and help make your installation simply and easy. You will want to use accessories approved for use with your model of Napoleon stove to ensure that it will operate correctly. You will find other types of accessories which can be used to add finishing touches to your installation, like brick panels.

Napoleon Stoves Offer Modern, Energy Efficient Designs and Models

When you are looking for modern, energy efficient wood burning or gas stoves, you should consider looking at Napoleon stoves. This brand of stoves provides energy efficient models and designs which work to keep more heat in your home, rather than letting it escape out of the chimney or through the direct vent. You will find Napoleon brand products available on our website, here at Copperfield Chimney Supply.

Most modern homes with gas appliances and fireplaces will be connected with CSST gas line . This type of gas pipe is has flexible stainless steel tubing, which is coated with a layer of PVC plastic. Unlike traditional solid steel gas pipes, this type of gas line can be ran in longer sections, which means it costs less to install.

CSST Gas Line Can Be Used for New Connections in Older Homes

CSST gas line, which is available on our website, here at Copperfield Chimney Supply, can be used in older homes which have solid steel gas pipes when you need to connect a new gas appliance, fireplace or stove. You just need to find an area of your current gas pipe where you can tee the new line into the system. You should use a solid steel tee with your existing gas pipe, and then connect the flexible gas line to the new connection.

Installing a gas appliance, gas stove or gas fireplace will require that you run a gas line to the unit. However, when you need to work around sharp corners or obtuse angels, you many need to use flexible gas pipe instead. Flexible pipe can be connected to solid piece gas pipes through the threading, but offer a flexible metal tube which can be bent and moved easily to reach the connection on your gas device.

Flexible Gas Pipe Kits for All Your Gas Appliances

There are different types of flexible gas pipe kits available which will work for multiple types of appliances and products. You can use this type kit for hot water heaters, dryers, furnaces, stove, fireplaces, grills or any other type of gas appliance you need to connect. Before ordering a gas pipe kit, you need to measure the distance from your central gas line to the appliance to make sure you get enough pipe for the project. You can obtain a flexible pipe kit as well as other gas pipe suppliers from Copperfield Chimney Supply , which offers quality hearth products for the home.