Saddle Valve for Gas Line…?

[MasterPlumbersKeymaster]

I just bought a Comfortglow natural gas space heater for my new patio room. I have heard about a saddle valve-type device that allows you to tap into your existing gas line without having to mess around with galvanized pipe. What I also heard is that you can use flex pipe from that saddle valve to reach your (my) device. This sounds like a great idea for me since it seem easy and cheap. I have a gas line easily in reach in my basement that I could tap into and run flex pipe approx. 25 feet under the floor to the patio room and tie it into the heater using the hookup kit I bought.

My questions: Are these, in fact, an acceptable way to do this? My heater says it needs at least 1/2 pipe to maintain adaquate pressure to the heater…do they make 1/2 inch flex pipe? Can I use copper tubing? My main gas line is galvanized 1″ that ties into a 2″ larger main. Do “they” make saddle valves? Is it true you can hook one up without shutting off your gas? What are they called and where can I find them?

I do not want to deal with the complications of cutting and threading alot of pipe, shutting off the gas main, re-lighting pilots, and worrying about leaks on multiple joints…which is what I would be dealing with over that run since it involves may turns.

Thanks!

[GuestParticipant]

Sure and why not use a garden hose with two clamps

Have your kids heavily insured and remember money is your number one concern

[Robert Stephen MortonParticipant]

TJ. Do you know that Gas Kills! Have you any thought for the safety of your family, or neighbours? Have you had the existing pipework sized to find out if it is large enough to supply the extra appliance? Have you increased your liability insurance? The manufacturer recomends a minimum size pipe not a max pipe size, have you had this pipe sized?

[GuestParticipant]

Saddle valves and flex tubing is manufactured, but YOU and NO OTHER should use it unless following manufacturer approval, certification and local code.

The reason the writers are so emphatic about not using these products is that gas clamps are made for commercial installers where leaks may appear outdoors, not in the confined space of a home.

Flexible hose is, by its nature unprotected from damage; a nail or tear can make a powerful flame thrower and launcher within a home. It is not to be used except by experienced technicians subsequently certified by the manufacturer as to proper knowledge and skills.

A one-inch gas line can explode from air and gas mixtures left inside when ignited by a spark from the device that can pierce the pipe to tap it. Many houses explode from backhoes nicking gas lines outside homes.

Gas installer is one vocation where the do-it-yourselfer and handyman will never be prepared to dabble; hire a professional, especially the one who is reluctant to tell you the hair-raising near-death experiences he has been impressed by, due to his former and previous ignorance, and is still doing the work.

[fourth yearParticipant]

4th year, if you are going to steal a name, at least copy it correctly.
TJ:,
Are you prepared to risk your families safety on a rubber gasket? That is what would seal a saddle valve to the main pipe. Gas is not a “do it the cheapest and easiest way” job. There are regulations as to materials and procedures. The gas lines that are not installed according to them are the ones you hear about on the Six O’clock new when the house explodes. If you are not qualified to do it properly, hire someone who is.

[fourth yearParticipant]

4th year.
You might have said it flippantly, but years ago, there was a family here that did just that. Their gas had been disconnected and the meter was removed. He connected the gas main to his house piping with a hose and clamps. Unfortunately, he did not know that the gas main was a 35# system. He found out very quickly but by then it was too late.

[GuestParticipant]

I bet that person was fourth year,cause he has got drain bramage.

[fourth yearParticipant]

If I have drain damage, it could be from teaching computer science and programming at a university and training the professors. Or possibly from operating my own company for the past 28 years. Or operating a company for my bosses for the 20 years before that.

[GuestParticipant]

Yeah right.Did your folks have any kids that lived?By the way I have some ocean front property in Arizona. for sale,interested? I looked up schizophrenia in the dictionary and saw your picture. Let me know about the land as I am sure it wont last long now that the word is out

[fourth yearParticipant]

Would that Arizona oceanfront property happen to be California, by chance? At least my parents had children. Yours must have been very upset to never have enjoyed the fun of little kids around and with no hope of ever having grandchildren.

[Author]

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