Can this gas pipe be moved?

[DIY Max]

Hello all, just after some advice before making contact with a gas safe engineer. This gas pipe (thick dusty one) is directly in the way of where I need a shower waste to go in an upstairs bathroom. You can just about make out the turn in the second pic and waste trap circle marked in black. I have been told this potentially cannot be moved/rerouted slightly. Appreciate any comments. Cheers.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

It can be moved, but how easy that will be is another matter entirely. I suspect it would have to be traced back to the nearest joint in either direction, undone there, and rerouted between the two points.

 

[DIY Max]

Hi Hugh. Thanks for this. So it definitely can't just be cut and new joins inserted where needed to make good? It's going back the other way into an external wall and down to the mains so that will be very problematic I think! Havnt looked where the next joint is the other way but through upstairs landing.

 

[Madrab]

If it's copper then no reason why it can't be moved unless it's an obscure size. Even if it's 3/4" then that can be converted to 22mm. What does it supply?

Consideration may need to be given as to what appliances are on the end of the pipe and whether the re-routing affects the volume of gas it can deliver but your GSR engineer would be working all that out.

 

[DIY Max]

Thank you for this, very helpful. Its a gas supply pipe. I don't think it's copper! But will be investigating further today.

 

[oldbuffer]

1. If it is not copper it will be steel (attracts magnet) or lead.
2. In either case it can be moved. As Madrab states you will need to get a Gas Safe registered engineer to move it. He / she will do any necessary gas volume calculations to allow for the new pipe and / or route.
3. If it's steel, you will need to find someone who knows what they are doing with steel pipe. With this type of pipe joints are made with threaded connections into which the pipe is screwed. With luck there will be connections which can be undone and re-used into brass fitting for connection to copper pipes. If not you would need someone with threading equipment and the knowledge to use it.
4. If its lead you will probably have to replace the pipe for its entire length from meter to appliance. It is no longer permitted to join lead to copper for gas work, or indeed for water work.

 

[DIY Max]

Oldbuffer- that is a comprehensive and very helpful response thank you. It's a steel pipe and it is becoming apparent that to get to it and reroute avoiding other pipes and having to notch joists (which we really do not want to have to explore) is going to be extremely challenging. We are now considering a shower tray riser kit to avoid the hassle and cost. Not ideal but a safer and cheaper option.