Pipe for gas: what to choose polypropylene, polyethylene or
The current market for building and finishing materials is characterized by the fact that a lot of modern solutions have appeared, which are increasingly used to perform various tasks. Such an area as the arrangement of gas pipelines is no exception - at the moment, not only steel, which is familiar to everyone, but also various types of plastic products is used to create such highways.
In this article we will understand in detail what pipes can be used for gas in a particular section of the "route". If you are planning to install such a line, then the information below will definitely be useful to you. After all, even if you do not do the assembly of the system with your own hands, then at least you will be able to assess how well the hired craftsmen act.
Let's begin the review of the most popular options in which we will consider, as far as they are suitable for installation of the gas line.
Types of pipes
First, it is worthwhile to get acquainted with the actual sections of the gas pipeline in a private house. It is best to disassemble the table.
| Line segment: | Features of operation: |
| In most cases, this section of the “route” is laid underground, which means that the pipes are required to resist corrosion and not to let water through. |
| As a rule, this is done above the ground, which means that it turns out that in this segment the route is most at risk of damage from mechanical shock. |
| The device can be a stove or, for example, a wall-mounted heating boiler. At such lengths, first of all, the flexibility of the connector is important, since the same boiler can break off the wall. And if in such a situation the device will be connected to the gas pipeline by a “hard” method, gas may flow out of the pipe. |
So, we have dealt with the features of the device and the operation of all segments of the gas pipeline; let's now move on to considering the materials existing in the market. Let's try to understand which option is best for each specific segment of the pipeline and start with the "classics".
Steel products
In general, the steel gas pipe has such positive qualities:
- High resistance to mechanical shock and pressure. Even if the metal is subjected to such an impact, then the maximum that will happen to it is deformation. But the appearance of cracks through which gas can "escape" is unlikely.
Note! There will be no cracks in the structure of the metal itself, but at the junction points “holes” may well form. Therefore, when laying the system, try to plan it so that there are as many welds as possible, and not those that are made using pipe fittings.
- Steel serves for a long time due to the fact that it is not afraid of any atmospheric changes and temperature effects..
These are the benefits of steel.
As for the shortcomings of products made from this metal, we can single out such a moment as the rather high price of the material itself and the installation work. In addition, steel is subject to corrosion.
It turns out that steel pipes for gas in the house can be optimally used on sections that run above the ground inside and outside the building. On these segments of the pipeline - the metal is still an indispensable material.
We now turn to the consideration of other types of products.
Polypropylene lines
Products of this type at first glance are very attractive for the assembly of the pipeline.
After all, they have many positive qualities.
- First, they do not rust, so they serve for a long time.
- Secondly, they do not need a protective layer of paint.. And, for example, the same metal lines have to be tinted every few years. This is especially an urgent problem for street laying - there is even a GOST for gas pipes, on the basis of which fines for an unpainted external highway are provided.
- Thirdly, the installation of polypropylene is quite easy, which means that you can save time and money (due to the ability to do everything yourself).
This is all true, only here there is a nuance, because of which such products are not suitable for laying a gas pipeline - polypropylene is “hydrogen permeable”! And as you know, methane is a hydrocarbon. That is, the leakage of the mixture from such a highway is quite likely.
As for such a product as a metal-plastic pipe, then about the same picture is a big risk of leakage, but already because of the large number of connections. And the actual material is not intended for this.
Note! There are metal pipes that are specially made for gas wiring. However, experienced craftsmen do not recommend using them due to the fact that this is fraught with problems with representatives of gas services. In most cases, it is easier to refuse such a decision than to prove to the authorities that it is permissible to do this.
And it remains to get acquainted with the HDPE pipes.
Low pressure polyethylene pipes
Products are a modern material that is not afraid of water, does not rust and is intended for underground transportation of most gas mixtures.
The application instruction is very simple - it is possible to use polyethylene for underground pulling only under the following conditions:
- If the pipes are guaranteed not to affect the air.
- If the highway is not exposed to UV light.
- If during the operation of the pipeline there is no risk of receiving mechanical shocks.
- If the majority of the connections of the pipeline will be made by the “welded” method of connecting polyethylene pipes, that is, without the use of many metal fittings.
Conclusion
As you can see, the choice of products for the gas pipeline is not a difficult stage to understand. Because, despite the huge range of products, the choice of channels for the passage of gas is actually not so great.
It turns out that PND pipes are optimal for laying the line under the ground, and steel pipes with welded joints for the elevated highway. Well, for connecting a stove or boiler, for example, a corrugated flexible pipe is suitable - it looks neat and there will be no gas leakage through it.
We hope that the information provided will be useful to you, and if it didn’t seem to be enough, then we recommend that you also watch the video in this article.