Plumbing

[icanfixit]

Hello,

Wasn't quite sure where to post this, so I guess "maintenance" is appropriate.

The gas piping in my attic space runs about 1"-2" about the joists.  In an area that I have placed floor boards to distribute wieght while walked on, the gas line crosses perpendicularly.  Using what small amount of lumber I had on hand, I did my best to  cover it on 3 sides.  Mostly just to see, but also to catch an unforunate step with support.  The natural gas pipe is not touching any wood from the frame.

In another place where the gas line crosses an area that was used for storage, unknown traffic, it looks like this:

Sorry the images are so large.  Didn't resize them properly.

The previous owners laid a piece of plywood over the top of the joists AND the gas pipe.  It bowed where the gas line ran underneath (TOUCHING).  Almost like a see-saw it seems.  I never walked on it, knowing the gas ran under, but it was set up like this:

This is being fixed immediately.  However, not having any previous experience with natural gas, could the flexing of the pipe due to (possible) heavy weights cause the connections to loosen?

Thanks for your help.  I'll have photoshop setup properly next time.

[doneitall54 · Accepted solution]

Check the fittings with a mixture of dish detergent and water mixture ( 50/50)  preferably in a spray bottle. If theres a leak, you will see a significant amount of bubbles rising out of the connections.

[Angelo_HD_CHI]

Hello icanfixit, and welcome to the community!

The pipe I can see in your pictures is of a silver pipe, typically the pipe used for gas service is black, this is done to make it easily distinguishable compared to water pipe, which is silver.

Are you certain that the pipe is gas and not water?

Either way, the pipe should not be covered with wood in such a way that would put pressure on the pipe if boxes were placed on the top of the wood or if someone were to walk on that wood, like the diagram you supplied . If the silver pipe in picture #2 indeed a water line, it might be a good idea to insulate it.

[icanfixit]

Thank you for your replies.  I will use the soapy water method to check for any leaks.  Good advice.

Though the photo makes the pipe look silver, it is due to the poor light in the attic space and how the flash hit, I assume.  It is a black pipe that I have traced from the meter to a water heater and furnace, and finally to two fireplaces.