View Single Post
  #7   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
aemeijers aemeijers is offline
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,149
Default Locating Pipes in wall

BobK207 wrote:
On Apr 28, 7:55 am, Speedy Jim wrote:
D J wrote:
Folks,
I am getting a new gas line in my house. So far everything is electric
(heat, water heater, cook range everything). You can understand my
aggression to go for Gas due to the electric bills.
I called up the utility company and they will run the gas line to my
house for free. Now, I have to run it inside the house (no basement).
I located a nipple outside the house, which is generally used for Gas.
One plumber also said the same.
problem is, I don't know if previous owner(s) really ran the line
already or it was just for something else.
I need to find out if the metal gas pipes are already running in my
house so before gutting the wall, I can save some money.
any ideas on how to locate it without much disturbance to walls? would
infrared cameras work?
Thanks,
DJ

You may be able to use a metal detector (treasure hunting)
to locate within wall.

But I'm very suspicious. Why would a previous owner
have run gas lines thru the house when there wasn't service?

If you do find any, you'll need to verify by pressure testing.
(I imagine the utility will want evidence of testing before
they will set the meter anyway.)

Jim


Jim-

The previous owner or builder could have the run the gas line for
"future use" or when access was available due to other work because
"now is the time to do it".

It is not inconceivable that someone would run gas line or conduit and
then not use it for a long time.

Bingo! I don't remember the exact years, but there was a period of a
couple 3 years 20-30 years ago, where you couldn't GET new gas service
in parts of the country. Any houses being built at the time had to make
other arrangements in a hurry.

I don't remember the cause- something related to the first oil crisis,
probably.

--
aem sends...