Natural gas line question

Ed Inman · Feb 15, 2025

Newbie question: On the main gas pipe into my home from the meter there are these two smaller pipes that attach just beyond the meter and go into the ground. Can anyone explain what they are for? (I think one might be for an old Gas Grill in the back yard that is damaged and no longer usable.) I am not sure whether the line to this grill is still on but even though I don't small any gas leak I would prefer that it be off. Is the screw that appears in the photo actually a valve and is the fact that it appears to be screwed horizontal from the pipe (rather than vertical with it) an indicator that this line is turned off? Thanks for any help.

havasu · Feb 15, 2025

Yes, the horizontal line indicates it is turned off.

Ed Inman · Feb 15, 2025

Thank you. That's what I thought but I appreciate your confirmation.

Rushplbg_10 · Sunday at 6:32 PM

Ed Inman said:
Newbie question: On the main gas pipe into my home from the meter there are these two smaller pipes that attach just beyond the meter and go into the ground. Can anyone explain what they are for? (I think one might be for an old Gas Grill in the back yard that is damaged and no longer usable.) I am not sure whether the line to this grill is still on but even though I don't small any gas leak I would prefer that it be off. Is the screw that appears in the photo actually a valve and is the fact that it appears to be screwed horizontal from the pipe (rather than vertical with it) an indicator that this line is turned off? Thanks for any help.
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You are correct; they must feed other gas appliances, like you said one to the grill. Do you have a garage that might have had a heater at one time? If it's really old, it could have gone to a gas light in the yard. Copper is what they use to run a lot of different appliances. In my area, copper is no longer used; we require a polymer-type pipe. The screw you are indicating is a valve,(gascock-term used for gas valve) most likely a quarter-turn valve. This means that if you turn it horizontally from its current position, it will turn on with a quarter turn. You are correct; it appears to be in the off position. However, I can't see the other valve's face to determine whether that one is also off. Go ahead and look at that other valve to check and make sure its off and not in use. Those piercing saddle tees must be nice to use because I never got the luck to be able to use those we would have had to cut in and thread tees in order to be able to add lines to the main line, thank god for Megalock Propress fittings .If you really want to know where they go or what they feed on, I would start by calling your local utility company. They can hook on to locate copper lines and if they want to charge you call the diggers hotline and say you are looking into planting some tress or adding a sprinkler line. Tell them the area that you want to be located. Backyard sideyard or whatever the area is. That is a free service. Hope that helps if you have any other questions I will do my best to follow up.

Ed Inman · Sunday at 7:11 PM

Thank you for the reply. Yes, both gascocks are turned horizontally away from the direction of the pipes. I don't think there was ever a garage heater but someone else suggested it may have gone to a gas lamp at one time. The house was built in 1950 and apparently those were popular back in the day. What got me thinking about all this is that the wind blew over the old gas grill that had apparently rusted out at the base. Today I was able to remove the top part of the grill but the copper pipe is still connected to a valve in the lower stem, preventing its removal. Even though there is no evidence of leaking gas and everything appears turned off at the meter I'm thinking it would probably be wise to go ahead and remove the old valve from the grill and cap off the line with a plug.