Nat.gas line pressure test

I have to have a nat gas pipe moved and it will really be just a small change on the main line after it enters the house.

There are 3 items supplied by this line.

Furnace, water heater and stove.

All 3 items have shutoff valves. The meter is outside and has a shutoff before the meter but not after the meter.

My question is how is a pressure test done once the line is moved?

Does the line just get pressurized with everything connected or do the appliances and meter need to be shutoff from the test?

What pressure is used and for how long....5lbs?

Our energy company will allow a add on if it is less than 10 ft of added pipe without a pressure test. More than that you will have to disconnect all your fixtures and remove valves and cap off the whole system.then test.

You have to disconnect the pipe from the meter, or the utility's regulator will just "dump any pressure above its normal setting, since that is what it is supposed to do.

Hi Rich,

Disconnect and cap everything, especially the meter, as mentioned. Then, check local code requirements to know the exact pressure test to use in your area. In my area we test at 3 P.S.I. for 15 minutes, but we use a special test gauge that reads in 1/10th LB increments. In other areas, they use 30 P.S.I gauges and test to 25 P.S.I. for 10 minutes, so the test pressure is definitely specific to your area.

You can purchase a test setup (see image) or you can make one by buying the gauge, a shutoff , an 1/8" shrader valve and necessary fittings to build your own.

Good luck!

Here, it is 10 psi for 15 minutes. We have to disconnect from the appliance and test the flexible supply line after it is capped.

Thanks for the info it is appreciated. I was unclear about the meter and the appliances needing to be disconnected. Now I know how it should be done by whoever I select to do the work....Thanks agan....

If you have it done by a professional, he may NOT test the system, but just what he does, in order to save you a bunch of money.

Do not trust any fittings you buy from H-D........Made in China....

For the second time I have had a fitting that was porous and leaked.

Had a chromed/heavy cast bronze screw together p-trap leak right thru the chrome a few years ago.

This time a simple 1/2" pipe black iron cap to complete a gas pipe pressure test that caused a very slow pressure loss.......Painted all fittings with soap solution and discovered the culprit......


The damn Chinese imported products should be banned.....Nothing but junk and endless problems and added work.......