Ontarians are gearing up for sunnier weather and warmer weather usually means more outdoor BBQs and cookouts (even if they are only with immediate members of your household for the time being). Spring and summer are also the ideal seasons for homeowners to renovate their properties. Before getting started on a home or business renovation project, however, it’s important to identify and locate all gas lines throughout your property.
Whether you’re repairing or relocating an existing gas line or installing a new indoor or outdoor gas-powered appliance (e.g., stove or BBQ), hiring an experienced and fully licensed gas piping specialist in the Hamilton guarantees that the job will be done in compliance with all official local health and safety standards.
Gas piping installation in Hamilton requires a great deal of training, skill, and knowledge. If done incorrectly, the results can be extremely hazardous to your health and your property. If something goes wrong during the installation process or it’s not done according to code, the results could even be fatal.
What Are Some Common Reasons for New Gas Line Installation in Hamilton?
There are a number of reasons for installing a new gas piping system in Hamilton. Here are a few common reasons for installing a new gas line for your home or business:
- Updating existing gas line
- Replacing old gas line or appliances
- Replacing a damaged gas line or pipes
- Installing gas line piping for a new construction
- Building an additional structure on an existing property
- Switching from oil- to gas-powered appliances
Regardless for the reason behind the gas line installation or replacement, it’s highly recommended that you only hire a professional gas line installation specialist in Hamilton to do the job. Working with gas lines can be incredibly dangerous for inexperienced and untrained individuals who don’t know what they’re doing.
Contrary to what you might think, this is not something you can learn to do on the Internet. Rather than put your life and the lives of your neighbours at risk just to save a few bucks upfront, it’s better to hire a professional contractor who knows what they’re doing and has the proper credentials.
Although it’s technically legal in Ontario for property owners to install, relocate, repair, and maintain gas lines themselves, it’s highly ill-advised due to the severe risks involved. In addition to requiring the proper permits from municipal agencies, you will also need to get the work inspected by a licensed gas line specialist or electrician before using it.
What Are Some Common Issues with Gas Lines?
Gas line installation, repair, and maintenance comes with a certain level of risk and should only be done by a professional who has the proper training and licensing. In Ontario, this entails becoming TSSA-certified by going through three levels of training (G1, G2, and G3) and achieving a minimum passing grade of 75% or higher.
Here are some of the most common issues that could arise with gas lines if they’re old, poorly installed, damaged, or lack maintenance.
- Cracks that lead to gas leaks (e.g., Freon or carbon monoxide)
- Rusting
- Missing or damaged components (e.g., shut-off valve, drip leg, etc.)
- Inadequate support system and use of inappropriate materials
- Weak connection lines
- Exposed piping above grade
- Improper tubing labelling
- Corroded connectors and joints
- Fittings are the wrong size
Any one of these issues could lead to potentially dire circumstances. If mishandled, gas piping in poor condition could cause a fire or explosion. Even worse, it could lead to exposure to hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide, which is also known as “the silent killer”. By law, every home in Ontario must have at least one working carbon monoxide detector on every level to alert homeowners of a potential leak or exposure before it’s too late.
Factors to Keep in Mind while Installing Piping Systems in the Hamilton
There are certain important points that need to be taken into consideration before you can even think about breaking ground. Whether you’re installing a new gas line for an appliance or adding an addition to your existing property, here are some factors to keep in mind throughout the process.
Location of Existing Gas Pipe Lines on Your Property
Unless you’ve done a renovation or construction project on your property before, the chances are high that you probably don’t know where all of the existing gas lines are located. For that reason, it’s important to figure out the precise location of all of the existing underground or structural gas lines before starting a new project.
Ontario One Call is a free province-wide service that will come and inspect your property thoroughly to identify the locations of buried infrastructure such as gas lines. They use little red flags as markers to alert property owners of where gas lines are located, so that you know not to dig there.
Make Sure Gas Lines are Properly Inspected
Existing gas piping systems and new infrastructure should undergo thorough inspection both before and after a project is completed to ensure that they’re safe to use without any potential damages.
Always Use a Licensed Gas Line Technician or Contractor
Licensed and experienced gas line technicians have the necessary skills and training to identify potential damages or issues with your existing and new gas line. They know what to look for and they can provide the appropriate repair or replacement solutions that fit your needs and budget.
Why Choose MDM Mechanical for Gas Piping Installation in the Hamilton
You can stop searching for “gas piping services near me” and “gas piping specialist near me”. MDM Mechanical is a family owned and operated local HVAC and gas piping service in Hamilton and surrounding areas. We’re fully licensed and have years of experiencing working in the industry. We specialize in gas piping system installation, repair, and maintenance. Contact us to get a free quote or book a consultation!
