In The Field: Fascinating Facts About Construction And Contractors

Plumbing your grill with a natural gas line is a great way to avoid having to buy charcoal or propane all the time, but this endeavor can be dangerous. Before you start, take a look at these safety tips. They will help you plumb natural gas to your grill without risking accident or injury:

1. Do not hook natural gas lines to propane grills.

Unless you know for sure that your grill can accommodate a natural gas line, do not connect it to one. Using natural gas on propane grills can be dangerous. To find off if your propane grill can accommodate natural gas, contact its manufacturer's customer support line.

If your grill cannot work with natural gas, invest in a conversion kit so that it can.

2. Research relevant building codes for gas lines.

If you want to extend a gas line from your house to your patio area for your grill, you need to make sure that you follow local safety regulations and building codes. In particular, you may be required to run the gas line below the ground, to house it in metal or strong plastic tubing and to keep it a safe distance for other utilities.

3. Consider hiring a professional plumber.

Before you start researching building codes or plumbing your own gas lines, consider talking with a professional plumber or gas fitter. These professionals are certified and trained so that they can safely handle these types of projects.

4. Have safe areas to store gas hoses.

Some people plumb the gas lines to their patios, and there, they put in a gas valve or tap. That, in turn, gets hooked to a flexible hose which can be connected and disconnected from the grill as needed. If you opt to have this set-up, make sure that you have a safe spot to keep the hose.

You want it up and out of the way of automobiles or lawn mowers as well as safely away from children. If you have children, you should also invest in a nozzle that cannot be easily opened by a child.

5. Make sure the connection is secure when using.

Once you have your gas line plumbed in, it's time to hook it up to your grill and make some BBQ. Before you start cooking, make sure the connection is secure. If not, gas may escape, which could potentially cause an explosion or a buildup of carbon monoxide in your home.