In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a natural gas line for a barbecue grill.

Project details

Skill

Cost

Estimated Time

Steps for Installing a Gas Grill

  • Check to confirm that the home’s natural gas system has enough capacity to support a barbecue grill.
  • Use a pipe wrench to turn off the gas at the gas meter.
  • Tap into the existing gas line and run a new line out to the gas grill location.
  • Apply pipe joint compound to each threaded connection and tighten with a pipe wrench.
  • Suspend the new line from the floor joists with galvanized-steel pipe hangers.
  • Install a new gas shutoff valve into the new gas line.
  • Drill a ¾-inch-diameter hole through the house wall.
  • Continue the new gas line from the basement through the hole to the outside.
  • Install a shutoff valve to the pipe just outside the house.
  • Next, pressure-test the new gas line to ensure there are no leaks.
  • Spray liquid soap onto the threaded connections and check for leaks.
  • After about 40 minutes, check the pressure gauge to confirm the pressure hasn’t dropped. Remove the pressure gauge from the gas pipe.
  • Install a quick-connect hose fitting onto the end of the gas pipe.
  • Mask off the house around the new gas pipe with cardboard or newspaper, then apply rust-resistant spray paint to the new piping.
  • Connect a new flexible quick-connect gas hose to the rear of the gas grill.
  • If necessary, install an adapter to convert the grill from propane to natural gas.
  • Snap the end of the grill’s gas hose onto the quick-connect fitting on the new gas line.
  • Turn on the gas at the meter.

Tools

Related

How to Clean a Grill

Tools & Materials

  • Pipe wrench
  • Cordless drill/driver
  • Pressure gauge