natural gas piping

I would like to tap into a 1" gas line in my garage to hook up a gas heater. As I would like to avoid the $80 an hour plumber, I was wondering if there is any way, without threading pipe, to tap in?

Pretty much.....NO

Where does the pipe terminate? Would it be possible to take the pipe apart at the end or saw out a short connection, replace with a tee and union it back together?

Then you could run CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing) to wherever the heater will go. For added safety I would add a shut off valve where the flex connects to the black pipe.

If you can get the gas shut off so you can get the gas out of the pipe, grind a coupling to fit the curve of the pipe & weld it on. Run 2 beads to make sure it won't leak. Then drill a hole in the 1 inch pipe. Use a magnet to pick up the chips. (I don't know if it is legal, but it will work)

I don't understand why pipe threading is an issue. Most decent hardware stores and big box building supply outlet will cut and thread pipe to whatever length you need. You'll have to put a union in the pipe, of course.

With a few changes, that is how a new service, like to a home, is tapped onto a main line. This was explained to me years back, by the certified welder who did all the taps for a city utility dept. Don't try this unless you are a real good welder. Seems scary at first, but when you or anyone else thinks through the process, is really safe.
All joints from the main to the shut-off/regulator/meter are welded before the actual tap is made. Installation is made with the main under pressure, not turned off.
A special T is used, one side of the cross is curved to match the main, the other side is tapered to fit a matching cap.
The end of the stem is welded to the service to house line.
With everything else completed, a drill is run through the T into the main. A small amount of gas will escape. As soon as the drill is removed, a cap is placed onto the T & smacked with a brass hammer. Then the cap is welded in place. If there happens to be a leak, there will be a small blue flame, hit it again with the welder. When the flame goes out, the leak is sealed.
Removing a service is similar. Break the T off the main by smacking it with a brass sledge hammer, stuff the tapered plug in the hole in main, smack it with a hammer,& weld it up.
I'm definitely not a good enough welder to try this. Actualy, it is a worthwhile expense to hire the guy who knows how to do it, & has insurance coverage for the rare chance that something fails.
Willie

For natural gas lines you want to make sure your supply line is large enough to feed all your appliances. If the gas pressure drops too far it causes problems.

Sometimes it is best to pay a professional to size things correctly. Compared to a first-timer they do get an amazing amount of work done in an hour.

If you have a fire caused by an improperly installed heater, your insurance company could refuse to pay the damage claim.

I think there has to be a shutoff at the regulator accessible to you, in case of a fire. I would think there would be a fitting someplace in the garage where you can start, cut the pipe off a couple of inches from the fitting and put in a union and a T. Like someone said you will have to have some pipe cut and threaded, either have someone do it for you or rent the equipment and do it your self. Some cities do not allow this to be done by anyone but a licensed pipe fitter, you could still do it but if there is a fire then the $hit will hit the fan!

About the only good thing about Lowes is they can thread any size nipple you need. Check for leaks . Done. This is threaded pipe work.

You shouldn't have any problems tapping into that line. There has to be a fitting that you can get off and work from there. Getting a tee in place may require a custom threaded piece but beyond that it's just lefty-loosey righty-tighty.

Simple operation with the local hardware guy playing the role of pipe threader.

I always use liquid pipe dope. I found the best stuff ever at the local plumbing wholesaler "blue magic". Not cheap but it never leaks.

I had a plumber to install the NG line to my Kohler standby generator. He used Ward Flex for the gas line and installed a shutoff at the generator. The plumber will install the correct size piping. Hal

(quoted from post at 11:21:45 09/14/14) About the only good thing about Lowes is they can thread any size nipple you need. Check for leaks . Done. This is threaded pipe work.

Click to expand...

They can thread down to about a 12 inch nipple and from 1/2 inch to 1.25 inch pipe. No 3/8 dies.

they have sizes of nipples shorter than 12 inches in stock.

Welding a saddle fitting on to the main and tapping the main may be how "they" do it, but cutting and threading black iron pipe is INFINITELY easier and safer, not to mention something that an average homeowner can do with confidence. Welding, not so much. Even if the homeowner has a welder and can stick two pieces of metal together, that is a far cry from being a professional-level pipe fitter.

Simply cut the pipe where you want to put in the tee remove it from the line, and take it to the local plumbing supply and/or hardware. They can trim off enough to fit a tee, short nipple, and union. Take it home, dope it up, and put it all back in.

Or just pay the plumber for an hour's work.