installing a gas dryer

[Oscar1613]

i just bought a house and got the washer and dryer delivered today. it only has gas hookups for the dryer so an electric dryer was out of the question. the BB delivery guys hooked up the washer, but said they couldn't install gas dryers.

i figured i could just install it myself after work, but the previous owners left their gas hose on the wall pipe and i can't get it off to attach the new hose. the flare connector that screws into the pipe/shutoff valve coming out of the wall absolutely wont budge.

any tips on getting it unscrewed? if not, who would i call to get it installed?

 

[zerocool84]

vicegrips or the correct size wrench on it + hammer = win

 

[SunSamurai]

Dont forget to bring a match. It might be dark back there.

 

[IronWing]

Call your gas company for list of installers.

 

[lokiju]

Not sure what to picture since I've never hooked up a gas dryer but maybe some penetrating oil/spray?

 

[mshan]

I would have it professionally installed.

Seen gas hookups on This Old House and they use pipe dope and some heavy duty wrenches to tighten and seal connections so there is no leak that you might not be able to detect.

 

[rudeguy]

Call home depot and ask for one of the contractors that does their installs. It shouldn't be more than $50 or so.

You are finding out why the deliver guys can't touch gas.

 

[Muse]

Dont forget to bring a match. It might be dark back there.

Uh, turn off the gas before you do anything. And when you turn it on, sniff for leaks. You can use soapy water to detect tiny leaks. Good luck... and make sure you properly vent your gas dryer. Do some googling on it, make sure you vent it right.

 

[bctbct]

Pipe wrench on the pipe and a adjustable wrench on the nut. Expect $100+ for a plumber to install if you call someone.

 

[arrfep]

Uh, turn off the gas before you do anything. And when you turn it on, sniff for leaks. You can use soapy water to detect tiny leaks. Good luck... and make sure you properly vent your gas dryer. Do some googling on it, make sure you vent it right.

To be safest, get some Leak-Seek or other leak-detecting product. You slather it on the joint and it will change color in contact with any leak, some that may be too slow or small to detect with soap and water or a match. Don't mess around with gas.

 

[Oscar1613]

vicegrips or the correct size wrench on it + hammer = win

tried that and it didn't seem like it was helping any. i guess i'll just have to call a professional.

To be safest, get some Leak-Seek or other leak-detecting product. You slather it on the joint and it will change color in contact with any leak, some that may be too slow or small to detect with soap and water or a match. Don't mess around with gas.

Call home depot and ask for one of the contractors that does their installs. It shouldn't be more than $50 or so.

You are finding out why the deliver guys can't touch gas.

i figured it was just a liability/certification issue. the gas hose comes with the thread compound and leak detection fluid, but that does me no good if i can't get the old hose off

 

[geno]

vicegrips or the correct size wrench on it + hammer = win

Bonus points if you can hit the wrench hard enough to throw sparks

 

[ktehmok]

Pipe wrench on the pipe and a adjustable wrench on the nut. Expect $100+ for a plumber to install if you call someone.

This.

You have to apply enough opposite pressure to the pipe coming out of the wall with the pipe wrench to keep it from turning. If the flare fitting breaks then so be it, it needs to come off anyway. Just protect the threads on the pipe in the wall.

You can try using lubricant, but gas pipes are not supposed to rust, so it may be a waste of time. As my dad used to say: "You're just going to have to put a little ass behind it". In other words, muscle.

Shut the gas off outside at the meter first. This is on - - -, this is off - | -

 

[Analog]

a 24" pipewrench on each side should do it. no biggie.

 

[Rubycon]

Some pics of the installation would be helpful.

Of course if you have any question on your ability to work with natural gas lines, it's strongly recommended that you retain the services of a licensed pro to do this for you! In some locales it's the law. If a small leak goes undetected and finds its way to a spark and your house explodes; well you don't need any explanation of what's next.

 

[sivart]

Best Buy won't install because they are not licensed plumbers. That is what is legally needed to install gas appliances. One pipe wrench on the nut, the other on the pipe in the wall to keep it from moving and some elbow grease

 

[BoomerD]

Personally, I'd avoid using pipe wrenches on any fitting. They are made for use on...yup, pipes.

Use an open end wrench (or suitable flare-end wrench) for the fitting(s). Crescent wrenches can be acceptable substitutes, but IME, they can slip far more often and are called "knuckle-busters" for a very good reason.

Oh yeah, BTW....Righty tighty, lefty loosey. :biggrin:

It sounds like your new dryer came with the proper pipe thread compound. There are special compounds for natural gas fittings. Be sure that's what you got.

I've seen old pipe dope get pretty hard after a few years and almost works like thread locker. It may just take some elbow grease to bust the connection loose.

When all else fails, call a pro.

"Don't guess, don't take chances. It don't pay."

 

[Bignate603]

When in doubt call somebody. It's better to know your limits. If you're a home owner having a good plumber's contact information is pretty much a neccesity. You don't want to be up to your knees in crap and then try to figure out who to call.

 

[iGas]

It shouldn't be difficult to replace a gas hose, but by the sound of it you don't have the right tool and/or not handy enough for such task. Sorry, can't give you advice because I might be liable for your action.

 

[Jeff7]

Maybe it's just me, but with something like a gas line, I'd say to get a professional unless you know full-well what you're doing.

Screw up a plumbing job, and you get water all over the place.
Screw up a gas line job, and you get your house all over the place.

 

[squirrel dog]

10/4 elinore on what Jeff7 said , call a plumber .

 

[Eli]

i just bought a house and got the washer and dryer delivered today. it only has gas hookups for the dryer so an electric dryer was out of the question. the BB delivery guys hooked up the washer, but said they couldn't install gas dryers.

i figured i could just install it myself after work, but the previous owners left their gas hose on the wall pipe and i can't get it off to attach the new hose. the flare connector that screws into the pipe/shutoff valve coming out of the wall absolutely wont budge.

any tips on getting it unscrewed? if not, who would i call to get it installed?

I was going to suggest using a torch, but then thought better of it. lol

You just need more torque. Get some longer pliers.

Also, make sure you get the yellow teflon tape. Oh, and double check your work with soapy water just to be safe.

 

[Eli]

Maybe it's just me, but with something like a gas line, I'd say to get a professional unless you know full-well what you're doing.

Screw up a plumbing job, and you get water all over the place.
Screw up a gas line job, and you get your house all over the place.

10/4 elinore on what Jeff7 said , call a plumber .

Aw c'mon guys. Installing the line on something like a gas dryer or water heater is ridiculously easy. I would say plumbing is harder, because of all the separate compression rings and such.

I would say the hardest part about gas is remembering which way to wrap the (for gas)teflon tape - so you don't unwrap it when screwing things together.

Just make sure to double check your work with soapy water, and you're good to go.

 

[MrPickins]

I would say the hardest part about gas is remembering which way to wrap the (for gas)teflon tape - so you don't unwrap it when screwing things together.

That's why I like the paste. (or as my handyman friend calls it: "thread pookie")