Replace feed line and shutoff valve when replacing stove or cooktop?

[dwasifar]

I'm replacing a cooktop with a new unit. I remember hearing that one should replace the shutoff valve and feed line when doing this. The existing parts look okay and there are no leaks currently.

I've never seen the need to do this in the past, but now I'm thinking. Why would one want to replace these parts in this situation? Is it a code thing, or just good practice, or simply something to get you to spend money on new parts?

 

[naturalgas]

Just good practice. But you should be fine. Just soap up good and make sure no leaks


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[Richard Cranium]

as long as you don't kink you metal flex line, you should be ok. As said soap it up and smell for gas leaks.

 

[dwasifar]

as long as you don't kink you metal flex line, you should be ok. As said soap it up and smell for gas leaks.

That's what I thought. And I have a sniffer as well as a soap spray bottle. It's all good!

 

[HoosierBuddy]

as long as you don't kink you metal flex line, you should be ok. As said soap it up and smell for gas leaks.

Perhaps this is true...but with a couple of caveats.

First, a couple of decades ago, there were many fires related to brass flex hoses that became embrittled over time, cracked, and burned down houses. It got so bad at one point that every gas company in the United States was required to warn it's customers about the danger. So, if you ever see a flex hose that is brass on a natural gas line, it should be replaced immediately. The chances that yours is brass are probably 1 in 100,000 ish.

Second, if the flex line shows any problems at all, I would replace it out of hand. It's a good time to do it while you're in there anyway. In fact, if I got your call during my day job, as I've never inspected your line, I would tell you to replace it as a matter of course, because I would not want to tell you to reuse it and then find out there was an associated gas leak later on. So...I guess I'll say "change it".

Finally...you don't replace the shut off valve. Whoever told you that is wrong. The shut off valve is there so you can change the flex line downstream of it without calling the gas company to come shut off the meter (assuming you don't have another valve upstream). As long as the valve properly shuts off the gas, it doesn't need replaced.

Finally...one more piece of advice...regardless, never leave in the middle of the job when the only thing keeping your house from filling up with gas is the quarter turn valve being off. If that valve is ever out of your sight, you need to plug the valve or cap the line so that unintended operation of the valve does not lead to unintended consequences.

Good luck.

Phil

 

[dwasifar]

Perhaps this is true...but with a couple of caveats.

First, a couple of decades ago, there were many fires related to brass flex hoses that became embrittled over time, cracked, and burned down houses. It got so bad at one point that every gas company in the United States was required to warn it's customers about the danger. So, if you ever see a flex hose that is brass on a natural gas line, it should be replaced immediately. The chances that yours is brass are probably 1 in 100,000 ish.

Second, if the flex line shows any problems at all, I would replace it out of hand. It's a good time to do it while you're in there anyway. In fact, if I got your call during my day job, as I've never inspected your line, I would tell you to replace it as a matter of course, because I would not want to tell you to reuse it and then find out there was an associated gas leak later on. So...I guess I'll say "change it".

Finally...you don't replace the shut off valve. Whoever told you that is wrong. The shut off valve is there so you can change the flex line downstream of it without calling the gas company to come shut off the meter (assuming you don't have another valve upstream). As long as the valve properly shuts off the gas, it doesn't need replaced.

Finally...one more piece of advice...regardless, never leave in the middle of the job when the only thing keeping your house from filling up with gas is the quarter turn valve being off. If that valve is ever out of your sight, you need to plug the valve or cap the line so that unintended operation of the valve does not lead to unintended consequences.

Good luck.

Phil

Thanks Phil.

The house is 11 years old, so definitely not a brass line. But the cooktop has been replaced once before, so I'll at least do a thorough inspection before reusing the flex line.