Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) is a perfect flexible gas line pipe. It is flexible to use under the joist or pavements. If you look at the build quality of this pipeline, you will get why people love to use the CSST gas line.
It’s a famous gas pipe to transfer natural gas. It will last for decades and will give you the optimum service. Let’s find out if you can use it outside.
Can CSST flexible gas line be used outside?
CSST flexible gas lines can be used outside. The name itself refers to the flexibility that ensures the optimum fittings both inside and outside the home. You will find the CSST gas line in both commercial and industrial areas. If you want, you can use it in your building gas line.
Table of Contents
The outside gas line must be compatible and must come with the string build. It needs to bear both the pressure and weather for which the typical gas line is not preferred to use outside. You might use the polycarbonate or plastic-made gas line inside your building.
When it comes to using the gas line outside, it’s your job to ensure safety. You cannot use the regular or any typical gas line. Stainless steel-made gas lines should be your priority. Here, the CSST is also a stainless steel gas line.
Therefore, you can safely use it outside the home or buildings.
Yellow csst gas line:
You can use the yellow csst gas line outside since it is also a strong gas line that can bear pressure and lightning strike. Usually, the yellow color gas lines are the safest pipe to transfer the natural gas from one place to another.
They are strong enough to bear the pressure and remain in good shape.
For that reason, you can use the yellow CSST gas line outside and inside your home. You must use this gas line in your house; you can check and confirm this fact. It’s a popular choice, and manufacturers also know it.
Pro flex csst gas line:
You can also use the ProFlex CSST gas line outside the home within a while.
If you want to install the gas line fast and plan to avoid unnecessary effort, the ProFlex CSST gas line would be greatly relieved. It has a strong and flexible build which will allow you to install it sooner than other pipes.
Pro flex CSST gas line is a commercially used pipe to transfer the natural gas through the walls, joists, and other ceilings. It has a solid surface to protect the gas line from external damage. Therefore, you can securely use the ProFlex CSST gas line outside.
Can csst gas line be used underground outside?
The CSST gas line can be used underground outside. It is waterproof and can bear high pressure without being damaged or destroyed. If you have options to choose the best CSST gas line, I’d prefer to go for the ProFlex CSST gas line.
It’s best to use any non-metallic gas line to transfer the natural gas through underground routes. You can rely on the quality and will get the best installation process. Using the ProFlex CSST gas line will save both your time and cost in various ways.
Underground gas lines need to be flexible and must come with non-metallic components. You need to fulfill the requirements to use any gas line underground outside.
If you use the regular gas line, it will be broken, and you can’t bear the pressure. Consequently, your cost will be higher.
3 reasons why you can use csst gas line outside
You can use the CSST gas line outside because of the firm and flexible build, waterproof features, and ease of installation. I will explain these reasons in detail so that you can understand better.
Strong & Flexible Build:
The CSST gas lines have the strongest build and flexibility that allow you to use them outside your buildings. Manufacturers use stainless steel and try to give this gas line a perfect design to use everywhere.
You cannot expect a regular or usual gas line to provide you with the flexibility to use outside.
But the CSST gas line is there to give you everything to use outside your home. Flexibility comes first since you need to install the gas line through walls, ceilings, and underground.
Waterproof:
If you want to use any particular gas line outside or underground, it must have the waterproof feature to avoid any damage or leaks. Outside material must have this feature to resist rainwater and moisture.
Here, the CSST gas line is a 100% waterproof gas line.
The stainless steel-made gas line will not allow any water or moisture to come inside and damage the gas quality. It will become the safest gas line that you can use outside or underground to supply natural gas.
Easy to Install:
You can use the CSST gas line outside because it is easy to install. Regular gas lines have some complications in installation. If you use them outside, you need to put in double the effort, which will decrease your productivity.
So, easy to install should be your first consideration while selecting the best gas line.
Luckily, the CSST flexible gas line comes with the easiest installation process. You can install it on the ceiling, underground and pretty much everywhere.
How long can you run csst gas line outside?
CSST gas lines could be run outside up to mainly 3 feet, but it can be 6 feet for two other types. Generally, the connector can run up to 3 feet. When used for clothes dryers and gas ranges, the limit extends slightly, and the CSST gas line can be run up to 6 feet.
One concern is that you cannot join or splice the connector with any nipples. The CSST can be run the same both indoors and outdoors. While running the CSST outside, they must carefully use metallic conduct bigger than the pipe to cover it up.
Any fitting must be avoided when you bury the CSST below your ground level. Be conscious of 3 feet for general and 6 feet for cloth dryer and gas ranges.
How to use csst gas line outside?
Using CSST gas outside requires a careful approach.
Tube:
The tubing must be supported in an orderly fashion using pipe straps, bands, or hangers proportionate to the tubing’s size and weight.
The tubing must be routed on top of ceiling joists and other structural parts that conform with the horizontal spacing requirements to be properly supported.
Wrap:
Any exposed portions of the stainless steel tubing must have tape or a sleeve wrapped around them to protect them from potential hazards posed by cleaning masonry solutions based on chlorine or acids.
Due to its long-lasting nature, self-bonding silicone tape is the material of choice here.
Protect:
When installing Gastite via a sheet metal enclosure (such as a fireplace), make sure the tubing is routed or supported so that it does not come into contact with the enclosure itself. Rubber grommets can be utilized if direct contact is unavoidable.
Where can I use CSST gas line?
You can use the CSST gas line everywhere. Let’s see what the best places for using this gas line are.
Underground:
For underground usage, it must be protected from corrosion by being installed inside a sealed conduit. A protective sleeve sealed against the foundation will be wrapped around any piping that must pass through the foundation wall.
It has to be encased in a non-metallic conduit half an inch larger than the pipe itself. The underground segment must be devoid of any fittings.
Interior Walls:
One of the many advantages CSST comes up with is its flexibility. You can use it anywhere you want. Your interior walls are no exception. It is highly durable, so you should have it in your internal walls without any worries.
Gas piping systems that use CSST have fewer joints, and as a result, they have a lower risk of developing leaks.
Outside:
Use of CSST in the outer environment is acceptable. UV protection and flame resistance are both included in the jack.
For this, an external pipe installed above ground must have a stable support system and be placed in an area where it will be safe from being damaged by the elements.
Pipes that go through outside walls must have an additional layer of protection against corrosion in the form of a coating or wrapping made of an inert material that is certified for use in such situations.
Final Thoughts
Because of the easy installation, waterproof & durable build quality, you can use the CSST flexible gas line outside. It’s a perfect gas line to use both inside and outside the building. You can use it in commercial and industrial areas since it has the best build quality and durability.
FAQs
Can you use CSST gas line outside? ›
All exposed portions of CSST piping installed outdoors, when not underground, must be protected by a metal covering.
What type of gas line can be used outside? ›PVC gas pipes work well for underground exterior gas lines because they're durable and resistant to corrosion. PVC pipes are an inexpensive solution, but some locations don't allow them as they can break during the installation process.
Does flexible gas line meet code? ›Homes built with CSST flexible gas Lines before the Building Code required bonding were built correctly to the Building Code at the time they were built. BUT that does not mean they are safe. These homes may, or may not have bonded gas lines.
What are the problems with CSST? ›– The real problem: CSST is so thin-walled that it creates a significant fire hazard anywhere it is installed. CSST gas line is extremely thin, with walls typically around 0.008" in thickness. Black iron gas pipe is typically 0.12" in thickness.
Can Home Flex gas line be used outdoors? ›The fittings are made of plastic. HOME-FLEX Underground gas pipe and fittings are for use with natural gas and LP (propane) gas. This poly gas pipe must be installed outdoors and underground only. The plastic pipe may never be used above ground, in a building or under a building.
Can you run CSST exposed? ›Outdoor installations – Along side a structure – When installed along the outside of a structure (between the ground and a height of 6 ft.) in an exposed condition, the CSST shall be protected from mechanical damage inside a conduit or chase.
Is CSST better than black pipe? ›The patented CSST innovation was first developed in Japan in the 1980s. It was deemed 'safer' since it was more flexible than black iron pipes. The latter are known to break and start fires during earthquakes, which occur approximately 1,500 times a year in Japan.
Can you use flexible gas line for garage heater? ›Connect the flexible gas line to the heater using a variety of gas pipe, fittings, elbows, and nipples. Use pipe dope to secure all the connections. Drill a hole on the other end of the garage and install a vent to ensure there is another air flow to allow exhaust to escape the room.
Which piping material is approved only for outdoor underground installation of natural gas piping? ›Plastic piping shall be installed outdoors, underground only. Exceptions: Plastic piping shall be permitted to terminate aboveground where an anodeless riser is used.
What is the difference between yellow and black CSST gas line? ›The black conductive jacket of CounterStrike® has been shown to be up to 400 times more resistant to the damaging effects of electrical energy than yellow CSST. It also lays straighter and pulls easier than yellow CSST.
What is the yellow flexible gas line called? ›
The gas piping is known as corrugated stainless steel tubing, or “yellow CSST.” “Homes with yellow CSST are at risk of perforation to the gas line caused by lightning strikes which could cause gas leaks or fires,” says Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart.
How long can you run a flexible gas line? ›❖ Flexible connectors must bear the label of an approved agency and are limited to a maximum of 6 feet (914 mm) in length.
Can CSST go through walls? ›Pro-Flex CSST can supply gas throughout a home or commercial building. Route it through walls, floor or ceiling joists, or outside to a variety of appliances.
When would you use CSST pipe? ›CSST or Corrugated Stainless-Steel Tubing is a flexible pipe often used for gas fuel distribution to appliances within a home or a building.
What is an advantage of using CSST piping? ›The flexibility of CSST is one advantage to the product, Soechting says, "but, more importantly, it provides a higher level of safety because it eliminates all the connections behind the wall you usually have with steel pipe. With steel pipe, every time you change direction you have to have a fitting.
Do you have to bury CSST gas line? ›And remember, while the CSST can be buried, Gastite® fittings must always be located in an accessible area and therefore must not be buried.
Can exterior gas lines freeze? ›Gas, as it is delivered to the typical home, is too dry to cause any concern about it freezing. For a gas mains supply or externally mounted gas pipe to freeze, there would need to be water in the gas line, where it can accumulate in a low spot before there might be any possibility of freezing.
Can you run CSST through joists? ›Besides providing greater durability, CSST is flexible, allowing it to be routed beneath, through and alongside floor joists in your basement, inside interior wall cavities and on top of ceiling joists in attic spaces or connected to fixed appliances such as water heaters.
Can CSST be buried in concrete? ›Can CSST be buried? Yes, however it must be sleeved in a non-metallic conduit ½” larger than the pipe. The underground section must not contain a fitting.
What is a requirement of CSST gas piping? ›CSST gas piping systems shall be bonded to the electrical service grounding electrode system. The bonding jumper shall connect to a metallic pipe or fitting between the point of delivery and the first downstream CSST fitting. The bonding jumper shall not be smaller than 6 AWG copper wire or equivalent.
Why do you ground CSST gas line? ›
The bonding of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) piping system to the grounding electrode system of the structure in which the CSST is installed will lower the voltage build-up on the CSST caused by unintentional energizing from outside sources such as power surges and lightning strikes.
Which pipe is best for outdoor use? ›Polyethylene Pipe
It is durable and provides long-term resistance to environmental conditions in outdoor and underground uses.
Flexible gas lines (corrugated stainless steel tubing – or CSST) usually last up to 30 years, whereas the traditional black steel pipes can last up to 75 years or more.
Will a copper pipe cutter cut CSST? ›A: Ken, CSST is stainless steel, much harder than copper. The cutter ring of Copper pipe cutters might cut it, but will not last.
Can I run flexible gas line right to my fireplace? ›It is important to know that flexible lines are gaining more proponents as they are successfully applied to situations like fireplaces and other appliances, but you need to know their limitations. Flexible lines cannot go through walls, ceilings, or floors.
Can you use PVC hose for gas line? ›Can PVC and other plastic hoses be used for fuels and gas? In short, the answer is no, they cannot.
What type of pipe is used for gas lines exposed to the weather? ›3. Corrugated Iron Steel Piping. This type of steel piping is one of the strongest materials for gas pipes. It is popular with builders because it can withstand extreme weather and natural disasters.
Can I use black pipe outside for gas line? ›Like galvanized pipe, you should not use black pipe in underground natural gas installation. For such installations, local building codes in most areas require using a steel pipe that is factory-coated with a special, moisture-resistant, plastic material.
What is the best pipe for gas line? ›PVC pipes will work well for natural gas lines and water supply. They are generally available in sizes of 10 feet and 20 feet and come in varying diameters. The size ranges from ½ inch to 6 inches to choose one depending upon the purpose.
Can I use CSST inside my house? ›You can bond CSST inside or outside. Not only does the newest version of the code allow CSST to be bonded anywhere, but CSST manufacturers also allow CSST to be bonded anywhere. For example, Gastite says “The bonding clamp attachment point may be at any location within the gas piping system.”
How long can you run yellow flex gas line? ›
The flexible connector length usually is limited to 3 feet except for gas ranges and clothes dryers. For these appliances, 6 feet generally is allowed. Splicing or joining connectors with nipples often is prohibited.
What color is CSST gas line? ›If you have CSST, the individual flexible “hose type” lines will run from the manifold across the attic to the individual appliance locations, and down the walls to each of them. Of course, the lines will be yellow in this case.
Can you bond CSST to water pipe? ›CSST shall not be supported on or by other electrically conductive systems including copper water pipe, electric power cables, airconditioning and heating ducts, communication cables and structural steel beams.
What is the pressure rating of CSST gas line? ›Pipe - CSST tubing shall be 300 series Stainless Steel Strip conforming to ASTM A240 rated for 25 psi and have an elevated pressure rating of 125G for sizes up to 1 ¼” and 25G for 1 ½” and 2”.
Why is black pipe used for gas lines? ›Black steel pipe is uncoated and made without steam, and therefore, it is widely used for transporting gas like propane and natural gas to residential and commercial building.
Can you connect 2 flexible gas lines together? ›Do not connect two gas flexible lines together. gas lines. They have been found to react with the gas and corrode.
Can I install CSST gas line myself? ›Gas line installation is not usually a task to take on as a DIY project. The risks of making a mistake far outweigh the costs of hiring a professional plumber. Perhaps you have hooked up the water lines for a dishwasher, ice maker, or water heater. Therefore, you may have a basic understanding of pipe and fittings.
Can I use flexible gas line for dryer? ›This flexible gas line fit perfectly to the 1/2” black pipe gas line and the 3/8” dryer hookup.
Is yellow CSST safe? ›This can shock anyone who comes in contact with the CSST or gas appliances that are connected with CSST. And in some cases, such as a lightning strike, the CSST can become damaged and start a fire. However, CSST that is properly bonded and grounded is considered to be generally safe even when struck by lightning.
Is CSST rated for direct burial? ›Can Gastite® CSST be buried? Yes, it can. Gastite® CSST is suitable for both internal and external installation allowing for direct burial. The manufacturer's instructions must be adhered to.
What is the difference between black and yellow CSST? ›
The black conductive jacket of CounterStrike® has been shown to be up to 400 times more resistant to the damaging effects of electrical energy than yellow CSST. It also lays straighter and pulls easier than yellow CSST.
How long does CSST last? ›How Long Does a Flexible Gas Line Last? CCST usually lasts about 30 years.
Can you put CSST in a wall? ›CSST can be run through walls and floors (but should have protection plates installed), underground (must be protected in conduit), in attics, and outside (but most be physically secured and protected if installed within 6' of grade).
Does CSST need to be grounded? ›The CSST must be permanently bonded directly to the grounding electrode system of the electrical service of the home in which the CSST is installed.
Can you cut CSST with regular pipe cutter? ›A: Yes. This tubing can be easily cut to length with a standard tubing cutter. You need to use the fittings supplied specifically for the tubing as there are at least two manufacturers of CSST products.
Can I bond CSST to water pipe? ›CSST shall not be supported on or by other electrically conductive systems including copper water pipe, electric power cables, airconditioning and heating ducts, communication cables and structural steel beams.
Will a copper tubing cutter cut CSST? ›A: Ken, CSST is stainless steel, much harder than copper. The cutter ring of Copper pipe cutters might cut it, but will not last.
Can a flexible gas line go through a wall? ›Three- or six-foot long and accessible: The flexible connectors can't go through walls, floors or ceilings, nor can they be concealed. The flexible connector length usually is limited to 3 feet except for gas ranges and clothes dryers. For these appliances, 6 feet generally is allowed.