Disconnecting a gas stove is something few people think about. However, if you’re upgrading your kitchen or replacing the stove, you might want to know how to remove the old cooker safely. While the task isn’t complicated, working near gas lines is dangerous. This guide will teach you how to do it properly. Remember, hiring a plumber to disconnect the gas stove is the best thing to do if you have doubts.
Main Topics
How To Disconnect A Gas Stove
Disconnecting a gas stove safely involves turning off the kitchen gas valve and capping the pipe or hose to prevent leaks. The steps below show you how to disconnect a gas stove from the wall.
Things You’ll Need:
Crescent wrench
Small pipe wrench
Gas pipe cap
Work gloves
Flashlight
Soapy water
Brush
1. Prepare For The Task
While disconnecting the gas stove is as easy as turning off the valve and loosening the gas line on the stove, there are a few precautions you should take.
Choosing the right time for the job is the first precaution. Disconnect it during daylight hours to avoid turning on the lights while you’re working near the gas line. If you need more light, use a flashlight.
You should also open the windows to promote ventilation. However, don’t operate the vent fans or other electrical fixtures until you’re done.
If, at any stage, you smell gas, turn off the valve on the main pipeline (generally located outside of your house or in the basement) and call a licensed plumber or your gas provider.
Before getting started, you must also turn off all burners on your stove.
How To Make Sure The Gas Stove Is Off?
Generally, the smell of gas is an indicator of an open burner. Check all knobs and make sure they are in the off position. If you still smell gas, leave immediately and call in a professional – don’t attempt to disconnect and fix the stove yourself. Albeit small, there is a real risk of explosion. The carbon monoxide in the cooking gas can also cause poisoning and lead to death.
2. Close The Shut-Off Valve
Cooking ranges and gas ovens generally have a shut-off valve located right behind the appliance, on the pipe stub coming from the wall. If you want to keep on the gas supply to other appliances (such as a gas heater or tumble dryer), you can close this valve before disconnecting the stove.
Accessing it could seem tricky, but it’s simpler than you think.
Old-style stoves have a removable drawer under the oven compartment. Once removed, you can access the valve through the drawer compartment.
If your stove doesn’t have an oven drawer, know that a flexible hose connects it to the gas pipe. Pull the stove away from the wall, as far as the hose allows it, to access the valve. Once you have located it, turn the valve handle a quarter of a turn until the handle is perpendicular to the pipe to close it (you can only turn the handle in one direction, generally counterclockwise).
Note: Not all homes have a stove shut-off valve in the kitchen. If there is no valve behind the stove, you might have to turn off the main shut-off valve.
3. Disconnect The Gas Stove
To disconnect a gas stove from the wall, you have to loosen the connection between the flexible hose and the gas pipe.
Turn the nut on the copper fitting counterclockwise with a wrench. If the gas line hasn’t been touched in a while, this operation might require some elbow grease. Keep applying torque until the nut gives in and loosens.
Pull out the hose and clean any leftover Teflon tape off the gas pipe.
4. Cap The Pipe
If you don’t plan to install the new stove right away – perhaps you want to paint the wall behind the stove or carry out other renovation works – it is crucial to cap the gas pipe stub. Capping the stub will keep you safe if someone accidentally turns the valve handle to the on position.
Pipe caps are available at all home improvement stores. Most residential gas pipes have a ½” or ¾” diameter. If you’re not sure what size your pipe has, buy caps in both sizes.
5. Check For Leaks
Once you’ve installed the pipe cap, check for leaks with soapy water or a gas leak detector solution.
Apply the solution to the fitting with a brush. If it starts to bubble, there is a leak, and you should call in a professional immediately. Don’t operate any electric appliances or the light until someone comes to check the line and fix the leak.
Warning: Never use an open flame (match or lighter) to check for gas leaks. Never attempt to fix gas leaks yourself. If the soapy water doesn’t form bubbles, but you start smelling gas after you’ve capped the pipe, leave your house immediately and call a licensed professional or your gas company.
How To Remove Stuck Gas Line From Stove?
Sometimes, you may have to disconnect the gas stove to install new kitchen cabinets or change the stove location, but you might not want to replace the appliance itself. What to do if the flexible gas hose is stuck to the stove?
The easiest way to loosen the connection is by using a pipe wrench as a holdback on the hose and another wrench to turn the coupler until it gives in. You could ask a helper to keep the holdback wrench in place as you’re turning to increase your leverage.
If you can’t unstick the gas line with this method, you should consider hiring a plumber.
Who Can Disconnect A Gas Stove?
You should check your local codes before disconnecting a gas stove yourself.
In most states, a gas engineer or licensed plumber is only required for the first-time installation or permanent repositioning of the stove. If you want to replace the appliance with a new one or upgrade your kitchen without changing the cooker’s location, you can disconnect it yourself.
How Much Does It Cost To Disconnect A Gas Stove?
Having your gas stove professionally disconnected can cost you anywhere between $50 and $150, depending on whether or not you require the disposal of your existing appliance. The cost to disconnect the gas stove rarely exceeds $15 if you do it yourself – you’ll only have to buy the end caps and a wrench if you don’t have one.
Is Disconnecting A Gas Stove Safe?
Disconnecting a gas stove is safe as long as you follow all the steps above. Remember to keep electric appliances off, avoid turning on the lights, and never light up a match, lighter, candle, or other sources of fire while working near the gas line. Do not smoke while carrying on the task.
FAQs
What happens if you leave the gas stove on without flame?
Leaving the gas stove on without a flame can cause natural gas poisoning, which can lead to asphyxia. Symptoms include fatigue, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, and death.
Leaving the gas stove on with a flame on can also lead to asphyxia through carbon monoxide poisoning.
How long does it take for the gas to air out?
It can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours, depending on the severity of the leak and airflow in your home. However, you shouldn’t attempt to speed up the process by turning on a fan. The arc generated by the electric switch when turning on the fan can ignite the gas and trigger an explosion.
How do I turn my gas back on after disconnecting?
If you only have a main shut-off valve and want to use other gas appliances, you can turn the gas on after capping the stove pipe by turning the valve handle to the open position. Check for leaks with soapy water after turning on the main line.
To turn the gas back on after installing the new stove, turn the valve handle a quarter of a turn until it’s parallel with the gas line.
To Finish
Disconnecting your gas stove safely without hiring a professional is doable, but you have to pay attention to prevent accidents. Remember that if the gas accumulates inside the house, even a minor leak can lead to gas poisoning and increase the risk of an explosion when you turn on the electric fixture. If you smell gas after turning off the valve (while you’re working or after you’re done), call your gas company or a licensed plumber.
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