black pipe question

[Jarvo2]

I'd like to put a heater in my detached garage, but I have a question about the existing black pipe.

It appears that the person who constructed the garage layed black pipe underneath the sidewalk & driveway before the pour, housed in PVC (Electical is run this way in conduit & a separage PVC run to the garage). The line has never been hooked up nor used.

This sounds like an easy hookup, other than the fact that the end near the house (under a porch) has been exposed for a couple years, so I'm assuming moisture has entered the inside of the black pipe.

Can I flush the pipe and just use it or should I be concerned about rust on the inside and the integrity of the pipe? Should a pressure test be performed? Do you think a new gas pipe line will be required? Please help! Thanks.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Use black pipe for gas, IMHO leave the plastics alone for carrying gas. No worries about rust either black pipe is supposed to be used for gas.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

If I understand your situation correctly, it should be quite simple to remove the black pipe from the conduit and inspect it.

If the pipe has not been capped and has rusted on the inside, I would suggest you replace it. I would be as concerned about sucking rust particals into orifices in my burners as I would be about potential leaks.

That being said...If I was a betting man...I'd say that anyone that took the time and energy into laying pipe in conduit under their driveway would CERTAINLY have invested in caps for both ends of the pipe. If it is capped, remove the cap and look for water. If it's full of water, then it's obviously already leaking.

Phil

 

[72Tunaboat]

If it is black iron pipe and it was not capped, Blow it out with compressed air from both ends. Cap one end and put the other end on air test(15lbs). Let it sit for a day and see if the test holds. If it does, I would think that you are good to go. You cant use black plastic pipe for gas, if that is what you were talking about. Make sure that the pipe is sized properly for your appliances. Good luck.