Learn how to cap a gas line to a stove that's no longer in use
Whether you’re whipping up pancakes for the kids or cooking up a five-star meal for date night, the stove is often the focal point of your kitchen. But if you’re going on an extended vacation or having construction work done, it’s important to cap your gas stove. Learn how to cap a gas line to a stove in eight steps.
Most homeowners wonder what to do with a gas line when converting a stove to electric. It is advisable to cap and seal a disconnected black-steel or iron gas line from the stove. Otherwise, with a gas line hanging out in the open, a gas leak could occur.
One way to cap a gas line is by using the shut-off valve on the pipe's exit at your stove. For added safety, check with a quick and easy test to make sure that you sealed it properly by following the steps below.
There are a few instances in which you will need to cap a gas line to a stove because it won’t be in use for a while or at all.
Some of these reasons include:
Home construction projects
Demolition projects on your property
Switching from a gas stove or range to electric
Switching from a gas dryer to an electric model
Extended vacation
It’s better to be safe than sorry in the event of a gas leak. Locate your gas supply, either in the garage or near where it enters the house. There are two pipes: one coming from the gas supplier and one going back into your home.
The primary valve, which has a rectangular hole, controls gas entering your house via the pipeline. When closed off, it should be perpendicular to the pipeline and parallel when turned off.
Make sure the gas line's valve is in the off position. Turn the rectangular tabs on either side of the pipe with a crescent wrench to align the holes. The rectangular tabs should be perpendicular to the gas line.
Before you cap the gas line, disconnect any fittings or extra piping on the gas line to the stove. You'll use a "double-wrench" technique to loosen or remove any fittings that are holding it in place. This technique helps mitigate damage from any other threaded pieces under the valve.
To do the double-wrench method, you will:
Hold the valve with one crescent wrench and loosen the fitting with the other (If you don't have crescent wrenches, you can use a pipe wrench instead)
Place both hands on a pipe wrench and turn it counterclockwise
Loosen and remove fittings and extra piping
Steel wool can be used to clean the threads of the pipe. Brush away any fibers that get stuck to the edges of the tube or fittings.
Using yellow Teflon tape (rated for gas), hold the tape down tight with your thumb on the first wrap on the cap thread. Then, overlap the tape with each wrapping until the tap completely covers it. Make sure you wrap clockwise around the plug tightly so it won't unravel as you thread it.
Note: You can also use Teflon pipe compound to seal the threaded gas line.
Use the double-wrench technique to tighten the gas cap. But be sure not to overtighten it, or else it could leak.
Pro tip: The pipe's material matters—if it is brass, use a brass cap; if it is black iron, use a black iron cap. Otherwise, it may not be as secure.
Now, it’s time to check your work and see if there are any gas leaks. If you pass, you’ll know what to do next time. If you don’t pass, you’ll have to start over.
To check for a gas leak, you will:
Turn on the main gas
Use your crescent wrench to twist the metal tab parallel to the line coming from the natural gas supply company
Turn the gas back on
Once the line is on, turn the valve back to it. If you don't turn the line on, there will be no way to test for leaks
Put a 50-50 mixture of dish soap and water into a spray bottle and shake it
Spray the mixture onto the gas cap—the cap is successful if you don't see any bubbles
If you see bubbles or hear a hissing sound (gas escaping), repeat the steps until there's no leak.
If you've turned off your gas supply, be sure to relight any pilot lights, such as those on your water heater. Now, your old gas line is capped, and you can use your other appliances.
If you aren’t a seasoned DIYer or simply aren’t comfortable capping a gas line to a stove, hire a natural gas plumber in your area to handle this task safely for you.
Capping a gas line isn’t a DIY project that needs a weekend of work or even a day’s worth. The job only requires a few minutes and a few dollars to do it yourself. Your budget will be around $10—for Teflon tape. And while this time- and budget-friendly project seems perfect for all homeowners, it’s not. Unless you have the experience and credentials to handle gas projects, leave the work to professionals.
Incorrectly screwing the cap on a gas line can cause a gas leak. The cost to repair a gas leak—around $200—is more than it would cost to have a professional cap the line for you. A gas leak is considered a plumbing problem, and on average, you’ll pay around $125 to hire a gas plumber, but emergency plumbing costs can be higher, usually around $170 per hour.
It’s always a good idea to get quotes from multiple plumbers to find the best price. When speaking with prospective plumbers, ask them the following questions to ensure you hire the right pro for the job.
Are you licensed to work with gas lines?
What precautions do you take to ensure safety during the project?
How do you handle emergency situations if a gas leak occurs after the job?
Are there any additional costs that might arise during the project?
Is there anything I should do to prepare my home prior to your arrival?
Will you relight pilot lights for other appliances after capping the gas line?
Do you offer any warranties or guarantees for your work?
Capping a gas line depends on your home improvement plans. You should temporarily cap your gas line if you’re disconnecting an appliance during a renovation or remodel. If you’re moving a gas appliance or switching from gas to electric, permanently cap your gas line.
For example, a spark of inspiration that drives you to change the placement of your stove requires capping your gas line. You could move the gas line, but it might be easier to add a new one. Replacing gas appliances with electric appliances also calls for completely sealing off the current line.
Temporarily capping a gas line—for renovations or during travel—doesn’t require a permit. If you plan to remove a gas line and cap it completely, you’ll need to apply and pay for one through your town or city. Depending on your region and its local codes, you may pay between $25 and $100. To avoid a gas leak or other hazards, some cities take the job of permanently adjusting or capping a gas line out of the hands of homeowners. Instead, they require hiring a professional gas plumber.
No, you shouldn’t leave a gas line uncapped because it can allow gas to escape into your environment, which can lead to fires, explosions, and health hazards. That’s why it’s critical to properly cap and seal any unused gas lines as soon as you can. If you’re not comfortable with that, you can always call a licensed plumber to safely handle it for you.
