Plug for a gas pipe: varieties, tips on selection and installation details

It is necessary to plug the gas pipe because no one is temporarily living in the house or a family trip is expected for a long vacation.It is for such purposes that a gas pipe plug is suitable; thanks to this element, you will definitely not have gas leaks, and no one will be able to turn on the boiler or gas stove in the house without your knowledge.

When choosing a product to block a gas pipeline, look not only at metal plugs; other locking mechanisms made from various raw materials are also suitable. It should be noted that it is better to choose plugs from the same material as the pipes or at least from such raw materials that they do not conflict with each other.

Next we will talk about types of plugs for gas pipes, features of their selection and installation procedure.

Types of gas pipe plugs

There are other reasons when you have to put a plug on a gas pipeline for a while. For example: water got into the gas pipe, the water heater broke, the gas stove is out of order, or there is a gas leak somewhere.

Then first decide how and with what you can plug the main gas pipe, which plug is suitable for the process.

Metal plugs are suitable for gas pipes - these are the most common products today. Please note that metal products are made from different types of raw materials. There are plugs made of brass, steel, etc.

To do this, it would do well for every tenant and homeowner to know what types of plugs there are and how to select them. There are certain criteria for choosing locking products. First of all, you should pay attention to the material.It is important that both the pipe and the plug are in contact with each other according to the type of raw material from which they are made.

Separation by material

Construction supermarkets offer a large number of locking products. They are produced from various raw materials. What material is better to choose a plug for gas pipeswhen there is absolutely no experience in this matter? To solve the problem you will need to know the characteristics of different products. They are presented below.

Chrome plated end caps They differ from metal ones in that they will not rust even after prolonged use. After all, the chrome coating effectively protects them from constant exposure to water and other factors. The only drawback of such products is their high price.

Rubber or cork plugs They also will not rust under any external influences. They are also quite plastic, so high tightness cannot be achieved with them. They are not often used to plug gas pipelines. They are more effective for sewer communications and water supply networks.

Closing material made of plastic. PVC is only suitable for pipes made of plastic. They have one big disadvantage: when plugs made of this material heat up, they lose their shape. That is why it is undesirable to use them for gas supply.

Temporary plastic plugs are placed on gas pipes when it is necessary to replace or repair a gas stove, gas water heater, etc. Moreover, the repair will not last long.

Suitable for gas pipes metal plugs - These are the most common products today. Please note that metal products are made from different types of raw materials.There are plugs made of brass, steel, etc. If the question is: how and with what can you plug a gas pipe, then a metal plug is perfect because it is durable and has a long service life. The only negative: such plugs are susceptible to corrosion.

Those made from brass will last better than others since brass does not corrode, but they will cost more. Separately, I would like to remind you about the installation of metal products. The process is energy-intensive and requires additional tools.

Classification of plugs by design

If you need a plug for a gas pipe in a house or apartment, then pay attention to its design. You can accidentally buy a fitting and then not know how to connect it to a pipe, for example, if you don’t have special equipment or tools.

Fittings are often used for pipe routing, which connect pipelines, corner pipes and appliances to the main gas pipe. It is convenient to put threaded plugs on the fittings; the design is very reliable if you follow all the installation rules

When choosing, take into account all the important characteristics of the products. Specifically, what method is used to attach the plug to the pipe.

According to this classification, plugs can be divided into the following types:

• threaded products. Typically, these plugs are made of PVC and metal. The threaded fitting fits tightly onto the pipe and then holds firmly. For closer contact, use yellow Teflon tape, then the gas will not etch. The main condition for the process of securing the fitting is the coincidence of the thread progress on the plug and the pipe;
• pneumatic plugs – these products are only suitable for water supply and sewer pipes.Their operating principle is simple: the part is installed using a pump, which presses on the plug with a stream of air. The pneumatic plug becomes larger in size during the action of air flows and thanks to this it locks the pipe;
• crimp plugs – are convenient in that they are fixed by crimping without welding or threading. They are able to withstand high pressure in the pipe and extend the service life of the pipeline;
• elliptical fitting – made of metal, the product is installed by welding. Most often, this plug is used to permanently shut off the gas flow in gas pipes;
• flange fittings – made of rubber, metal, plugs are attached using bolts or rivets. Flange products are used more often as a temporary locking mechanism, because the product can be easily fixed to a pipe and just as easily dismantled.

Since the production of plugs is a relatively inexpensive process, they are sold quite cheaply when compared with taps, valves, etc. Because of this, fittings are used more often than other locking mechanisms when moving gas pipes in an apartment and other repair work.

Selection of plugs for the gas pipeline

What plugs for gas pipes can be like has already been described above, now let's figure out what rules need to be followed when choosing products. What should we be guided by in general? Just going to a construction market and buying the most expensive plug is stupid. After all, the product, first of all, must fit the size of the gas pipe.

And the most convenient option for blocking the gas supply will be a threaded one. This plug can be removed at any time or left for a long time; it will serve for a long time if used correctly

The size should be chosen based on the diameter of the pipeline. If you buy a threaded fitting, then take into account the thread pitch, so, without any problems, you will be able to connect the purchased product with a gas pipe.

Also pay attention to the following aspects:

1. Only reliable products must be selected for gas pipes. If this is not a temporary plug, then it is better to take an elliptical fitting and weld it to the pipe with a welding machine forever.
2. To temporarily stop the gas supply, you can select a pneumatic plug or flange plug.
3. It is important to pay attention to the material from which the locking device is made. Naturally, it is best if the plug is metal with a chrome coating or even made of brass. The service life of such products is longer than that of all others.

Well, it is not necessary to talk about what shape to install the plug, because only round pipes are used for gas pipelines.

The procedure for installing plugs on a gas pipeline

Installation of plugs can only be carried out by specialists who have permission to work with gas equipment. A person must know all instructions and follow safety rules.

Sometimes installing a stop plug on a gas pipe can be done independently. In the event that the local gas service technician turns off the gas in the pipeline. Often they allow you to do this yourself, but, again, with the permission of the city gas agency.

When working with gas, be sure to follow all safety rules, carry out welding work in special clothing and a welding mask to protect your eyes

You cannot smoke cigarettes or light a fire during the installation process of the plug. According to safety rules, gloves and special glasses should be used when working with gas.Under no circumstances should you light matches, and in general there should be no open fire in the room. It wouldn't hurt to organize ventilation.

Before you begin any work, you will have to find where in the house the device for measuring gas flow is located - counter. It is near the counter that the main one will be found. valve, which can be used to shut off the gas in the room.

The valve usually looks distinctive, having a large rectangular handle. It is located on one of the pipes that are connected to the meter. And there are only two pipes. One of these pipes supplies gas to your home.

It happens that in an apartment building they use complex meters, here you will have to find your exact measuring device and turn off the gas in your apartment. It is important not to mix up the valve and not cut off the gas to one of the neighbors.

To stop the gas supply, the handle is left in a perpendicular position to the pipe. And in the open position, the valve is located parallel to the gas pipe

So, turning off the gas to your house or apartment is only the first part of the work; you will also have to free the pipe that you want to plug from other pipes or gas devices. Here you can use a special adjustable wrench that you can use to unscrew the pipe.

Next, we recommend the following steps:

1. To release the pipe you will need not just one key, but two. One should hold one nut, and the other should gradually unscrew the other until the pipe is freed from the device connected to it.
2. You may just need to cut off the pipe, depending on what cases you are going to install the plug for.For safety reasons, make sure once again that there are no leaks or smell of gas, and that you have turned off the correct valve.
3. Next, clean the pipe, scrub it thoroughly with a hard steel wool, and remove any remaining dirt or grease from the threaded connections, if any. Pay special attention to the carving, make sure there is nothing unnecessary on it.
4. If you are going to install an eternal plug - an elliptical one, then you just need to weld it to the pipe and that’s it, and then check with soap foam for gas leaks. Eliminate if any.
5. Install a threaded plug like this - prepare Teflon tape so that there are not even the smallest gaps left between the threads of the plug and the threads of the pipe. Wind it onto the pipe thread, making turns only clockwise. Then, when tightening the thread, the gasket material will not unwind.
6. It is advisable to use plugs made of the same material as the pipe. For a steel pipe, a brass or chrome-plated plug is also suitable. In the end, all that remains is to take the plug and screw it to the gas pipe.

Please note that you should not screw the locking product very tightly - this will not make the connection more reliable.

On the contrary, the plug can only fail, then a gas leak will occur, which is life-threatening.

When performing gas work, follow all safety precautions. Do not leave tools or equipment anywhere after work. Put everything back in its place

Only after cleaning and completing all work can you turn on the gas supply valve again. Be sure to check with a foamy detergent that everything is sealed and that there are no gas leaks at the connections between the plug and the pipe.If everything is in order, no bubbles will form at the joint.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

According to established requirements, gas work is carried out with extreme caution; air pollution should not exceed 1 percent by volume.

The next video will talk about how to properly cut a gas pipe and what problems you may encounter:

Choosing a plug is not the most difficult task; installing the product on a gas pipe will be more difficult. After all, you need to follow all safety measures and do not forget to turn off the gas valve before the installation process. It would be better if you still turn to specialists.

You are familiar with this problem, then please share your experience in installing plugs on gas pipes. If you have questions, please ask them in the block below.