Can I terminate a gas line in a crawl space?

czissman

Hello,

Is it okay to cap a gas line in a crawl space?

It seems that at some point in the past, a gas range was in the kitchen and the previous owner replaced it with an electric range.

There is a 1/2" gas pipe running through the crawl space to just below the range, and there is a 1/2" flex appliance connector pipe connecting to it. Apparently, this flex pipe was run up through the floor and connected to the range. When the previous owner switched to an electric range, he just stuffed the flex down into the crawl space.

I want to properly cap that 1/2" pipe but I've been told that you can't cap a gas pipe in a crawl space. Is this true?

Thanks!

Chuck

Termite

I'm unaware of anything that would prohibit capping a gas line in a crawl space, provided it is done correctly and accessing it in the future isn't a problem.

COLDIRON

I would cap it and if it has a valve before the flex I would leave the valve in and cap the outlet side of the valve and leave the valve in the closed position. Good idea get rid of the flex.

Thurman

Agree: Get rid of the flex piping, cap the pipe using the proper sealant also, IF there is a valve--close it and IF possible remove the handle and tape it to the pipe close by. At least someone would not "accidentally" open this valve.

czissman

thanks for the input Termite, Coldiron, Thurman. So it sounds like there is no plumbing code that I'd be violating by just capping this pipe under the house rather than first extending the end to the exterior of the house where it is visible / accessible / serviceable?

TheEplumber

The violation is that you have an old flex line still attached. Remove it and do as COLDIRON suggested.

czissman

Done. Thanks all!

ratherbefishing

I had a gas line relocated a while back. The fella from the gas company capped off the old one under the house.