How to extend gas line?

[Rhino33]

We are replacing our water heater in our center bath 1980 International. The old water heater had the gas line coming up from the bottom of the trailer and up through the bottom of the water heater. The new heater has the gas line coming through the side of the water heater. I am concerned that the current line may not be long enough to go through the side of the heater to connect to the control panel.

Since this topic includes both the LP line and the water heater, I wasn't sure where to post it to, so my apologies if posting under "general" isn't the most appropriate...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[HowieE]

Looking at the 2 unit you should have enough piping to fit the new heater.

I would remove the grommet from the new heater to give you working room while fitting the pipe into position. Try not to kink the tubing while working. You should be able to push any excess pipe below the heater.

It may be necessary to cut the grommet in order to fit it back over the pipe. If concerned seal the cut with RTV.

[cliffcharb]

You could punch out a new hole on the bottom of the water heater and run the line as it is currently. Our 81 is also this way and that is what we ended up doing after replacing the water heater. Or to extend the line, I would cut the line under the trailer, add a shut off valve, then you can add new line to the desired length.

[thehandyman]

Did what Cliff mentioned when I replaced ours . Works great.

[DDickey]

It's a relatively easy job, just make sure you use flair fittings and not compression fittings. If you're not comfortable doing gas work yourself, any plumber could do the job in 30 minutes or less. No need to take it to a service center

[Rhino33]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! It would be great if we could punch a hole out of the bottom of the new heater. What is the easiest way to do that?

However, if we add a shut off valve to the line (which would be great because the old shut off valve is grumpy about moving), would I need flare fittings for the shut off or could I use compression fittings? I am trying to keep the flare fitting I already have to attach to the new heater so I don't have to buy a flare tool.

Thanks again!

[cliffcharb]

Do not use compression fittings on gas lines. It sounds like using a simple hole saw to make a new hole is your best option. Take the grommet out and drill the same size hole as that on the bottom.

[DDickey]

The problem you're going to run into is that old copper is going to be a bear to work with - if it's possible to work with at all. It's going to be brittle and will want to kink and break. I'd cut the line and run brand new shiny (malleable!) copper through the hole with the grommet on the new heater. Do not, and I repeat, do not use compression fittings for gas. Use only properly torqued and tested flair fittings for gas. I was a master plumber in another life BTW Flair tools are $15 at Walmart.com

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Auto-Doub...&wl13=&veh=sem

[Rhino33]

Thanks so much - I was under the impression from someone at a big box store that flair tools were much more expensive!!

Originally Posted by DDickey

The problem you're going to run into is that old copper is going to be a bear to work with - if it's possible to work with at all. It's going to be brittle and will want to kink and break. I'd cut the line and run brand new shiny (malleable!) copper through the hole with the grommet on the new heater. Do not, and I repeat, do not use compression fittings for gas. Use only properly torqued and tested flair fittings for gas. I was a master plumber in another life BTW Flair tools are $15 at Walmart.com

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Auto-Doub...&wl13=&veh=sem

[McArthur]

Check the plumbing section of your local Lowe's store. They usually have a display of different lengths of flexible pre-made gas lines that you can use to extend the length of your subject gas line if you need it.

Max

[HowieE]

Do not consider gas flex lines for use in an RV they will not survive the vibration of over the road. Same reason not to use compression fittings.