Plug on the gas pipe: types, tips for choosing and installation rules

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

When choosing a product for blocking a gas pipeline, look not only at metal plugs, other locking mechanisms 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 so that they do not conflict with each other.

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

Types of plugs for a gas pipe

There are other reasons when you have to put a plug on the gas pipeline for some time. For example: water has entered the gas pipe, the column has broken, the gas stove is out of order, or there is a gas leak somewhere.

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

To do this, every tenant and homeowner will not hurt to know what types of plugs are, and how to select them. There are some criteria for the selection of 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

A large number of locking products are presented in construction supermarkets. They are made from various raw materials. What material is better to choose a plug for gas pipes, when there is absolutely no experience in this matter? To solve the problem, you need to know the characteristics of different products. They are presented below.

Chrome plated end caps differ from metal ones in that they do 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 also do not rust under any external influences. They are also quite plastic, therefore, it will not be possible to achieve high tightness with them. They are not often used to plug gas pipelines. They are more effective for sewer communications and water supply networks.

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

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 drown the gas pipe, then a metal plug will fit perfectly, because it is durable and has a long life service. The only negative: such plugs are subject to corrosion.

Those made of brass will serve better than others, because brass does not corrode, but the price will be higher. Separately, I would like to remind you about the installation of metal products. The process is energy intensive and requires an additional tool.

Classification of plugs by design

If you need a plug for a gas pipe in a house or in an apartment, then pay attention to its design. You can accidentally buy a fitting, and then not know how to connect it to the pipe, for example, if there is no special equipment or tool.

Consider all important product characteristics when choosing. In particular, what method is used to attach the plug to the pipe.

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

• products with thread. Typically, these plugs are made of PVC and metal. The threaded fitting is put on the pipe tightly, and then it is held firmly. For closer contact, use yellow Teflon tape, then the gas will not etch. The main condition for the process of fastening the fitting is the coincidence of the thread stroke on the plug and the pipe;
• pneumatic plugs - these products are only applicable for water supply and sewer pipes. Their principle of operation 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, due to this, locks the pipe;
• crimp plugs - convenient in that they are fixed by crimping without welding and thread. They are able to withstand high pressure in the pipe and extend the 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 with bolts or rivets. Flanged products are used more often as a temporary locking mechanism, therefore the product can be easily fixed on the pipe, and just as easy to dismantle.

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

Choice of plugs for the gas pipeline

What can be the plugs for gas pipes have already been described above, now let's figure out what rules you need to follow when choosing products. What should be guided by in general? Just come to the building market and buy the most expensive plug is stupid. After all, the product, first of all, must fit the size of the gas pipe.

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, it will turn out to connect the purchased product with a gas pipe.

Also, pay attention to the following aspects:

1. Only reliable products are necessarily chosen for gas pipes. If this is not a temporary plug, then it is better to take an elliptical fitting to weld it with a welding machine to the pipe forever.
2. To temporarily interrupt the gas supply, you can select a pneumatic plug or a flange.
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 chrome-plated metal or generally 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 form to put the plug in, because only round pipes are used for gas pipelines.

The procedure for installing plugs on a gas pipeline

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

Sometimes the installation of a shut-off plug on the gas pipe can be carried out independently. In the event that the master of the local gas service cuts off the gas in the pipeline. Often this is allowed to be done independently, but, again, with the permission of Gorgaz.

Do not smoke cigarettes or light a fire during the plug installation process. According to safety rules, gloves and special glasses should be used for working with gas. In no case should matches be set on fire, and in general there should be no open fire in the room. It will not hurt to organize ventilation.

Before starting any work, you will have to find where the gas meter is located in the house - counter. It is near the counter that the main valvewith which you can turn off the gas in the room.

The valve tends to look remarkable with 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 complex meters are used in an apartment building, here you have to find your own measuring device and turn off the gas in your apartment. It is important not to confuse the valve, and not to cut off the gas to one of the neighbors.

So, turning off the gas to your house or apartment, this is only the first part of the work, you still have to free the pipe that you want to drown from other pipes or gas devices. Here you can use a special adjustable wrench with which you unwind the pipe.

Next, we recommend that you take the following steps:

1. To release the pipe, you need not even one key, but two. One should hold one nut, and the second should gradually unscrew the other until the pipe is free 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 safety reasons, check again for leaks and smell of gas, whether you have closed the right valve.
3. Next, clean the pipe, rub it thoroughly on top with a hard steel washcloth, remove the remaining dirt and grease on the threaded connections, if any. Pay special attention to the carving, make sure that there is nothing superfluous on it.
4. If you are going to put 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 the threaded plug as follows - prepare the Teflon tape so that even the smallest gaps between the plug thread and the pipe thread do not remain. Wrap it on the pipe thread, turn it clockwise only. Then, when the thread is tightened, the gasket material will not unwind.
6. It is advisable to use plugs made of the same material as the pipe. A brass or chrome plug is also suitable for a steel pipe. At the end, it remains 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 give a more reliable tightness to the connection.

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

Only after cleaning and finishing all work, you can turn on the gas supply valve again. It is imperative to check with a foamy detergent if everything worked out tight and if there is a gas leak at the connections between the plug and the pipe. If everything is in order, no bubbles will form at the junction.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

According to the established requirements, gas works are carried out with utmost care, the gas content of the air should not be higher than 1 percent by volume.

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

Choosing a plug is not the most difficult task, it will be more difficult to install the product on a gas pipe. After all, you need to follow all safety measures and do not forget to close the gas valve before the installation process. It will be more correct if you still contact the specialists.

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