Ask This Old House heating and plumbing expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a natural gas line to fire up his backyard barbecue grill.
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Time: 3-4 hours
Cost: $2500
Skill Level: Professional
Tools:
Adjustable wrench
Press tool
Drill/driver
Emery cloth
Masonry bit
Shopping List:
Grill with natural gas hook-up
Steel pipe
Steel pipe fittings
Concrete screws
Steel brackets
Steps:
1. This is a dangerous job and should be left to a licensed gas fitter.
2. Turn off the flow of natural gas from the street into the house meter using a pipe wrench.
3. Find a good place to tap into the current natural gas line. Remove the cap on the line using a pipe wrench.
4. Use threaded steel pipe for the small pipe run. Dry fit the connections before applying pipe dope around the threads and making permanent connections.
5. Tighten up the threaded connections using two pipe wrenches and opposing force.
6. Use a press tool to compress an o-ring lined elbow to the current pipe run.
7. Be sure to clean each pipe end to form a strong seal with fittings using an emery cloth or a sanding attachment for a drill/driver.
8. Use a press tool to compress the fittings over the entire run.
9. If attaching the pipe run to the side of the house, use a drill/driver and a masonry bit to make holes in the foundation.
10. Use the drill/driver and concrete screws to attach the pipe run with brackets.
11. Bring pipe run down to where the grill is located.
12. Be sure to include a shut off valve for service.
13. Attach a T-fitting toward the grill.
14. Extend the pipe past the T-fitting to create a drip leg for any rust that could form in the pipe and cap the pipe.
15. Use a quick connect fitting to extend the pipe run to the grill quick connect fitting.
16. Use an adjustable wrench to turn the gas back on at the meter.
17. Use a soap solution to check for potential gas leaks along all of the fitting connections. If there are any leaks, bubbles will appear.
Resources:
Richard installed a Genesis S-330 natural gas grill, manufactured by Weber. ()
Richard used the MegaPress system by Ridgid for making the natural gas connections. (/)
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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Install a Natural Gas Grill | Ask This Old House
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