Installing a gas water heater allows you to forget about seasonal blackouts and water outages. But for comfortable and safe use, it is important to properly connect the equipment. If you have already found a place and are ready to carry out installation work - do not rush. First prepare the tools and materials. And also find out what kind of hoses are needed for the gas water heater. The efficiency of the device and your safety depend on the right choice.
What kind of hose is needed for connecting gas
Earlier, stringent requirements were applied to the installation of gas equipment. As early as 15–20 years ago, no one thought about choosing hoses, because there was only one standard. All devices were fastened “tightly” with a steel pipe. For corner placement, knees or corners were used. Of course, this method had several advantages: strength, safety.
However, there were enough shortcomings, because it was impossible to move the equipment. Washing floors or selecting a furniture set became an impossible task. Fortunately, time is running out. The market has a wide range of products.
The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a gas hose is the material of manufacture. Can water tubes be used? This is strictly prohibited. For gas connection only specialized components are required. So, the gas hose has a yellow marking, while for water the marking is red or blue.
Which eyeliner is better to choose? Consider their varieties.
Flexible rubber hose reinforced with textile thread. One of the budget options. On sale you will find products of any length and diameter. Rubber has good flexibility, ease of installation, dielectric properties. In addition to these advantages, there are also disadvantages. The material quickly collapses, cracks appear in the places of bends over time.
The recommended period of use is no more than two years, preferably in the private sector and individual boiler rooms.
Steel Hose Reinforced Hose. It is believed that they are also based on rubber, but in fact, under the threads is a polymer material. Externally, the product looks like a water supply. A woven yellow thread will help distinguish them.
However, Europe has long abandoned the use of such components. And that's why:
- The polymer is subject to the same destruction as rubber.
- Steel conducts current well, so installation is only possible with dielectric gaskets.
- Under the braid, the base is not visible, it is impossible to inspect. Therefore, leakage is difficult to detect.
Metal Bellows Inlet. It is the best choice for connecting to a gas pipe. The sleeve is resistant to mechanical damage, temperature, pressure increase. The shell is made single or multilayer. The inner part is made of steel, and the coating is:
- From a metal braid. If the device is additionally connected to electricity, then dielectric gaskets are used during installation.
- Made of yellow polymer. This coating has dielectric properties, reliable and safe.
Despite the high price, the bellows sleeve has undeniable advantages:
- The manufacturing method corresponds to GOST.
- Allowed for installation by gas services.
- PVC coating is resistant to aggressive environment, mechanical damage. Provides protection against electric shocks over 1,000 V.
- Service life more than 25 years.
How to choose and connect a gas hose
Buy the product only in a specialized store. Consult with the seller, let him show you certificates of conformity of products to GOST.
Why is it better not to go shopping for the market:
- Vendors offer fakes made of thin rubber.
- It is difficult for an ordinary buyer to distinguish a fake from an original.
Of course, you are unlikely to receive a guarantee or a check, which is to say about certification. It is important to know, because a gas leak can lead to an accident.
What other recommendations should be followed:
- The hose must be marked yellow.
- The maximum allowable length is +20% to the distance from the pipe to the column. Do not take a sleeve with a margin.
- Diameter is ½ and ¾ inch.
- At both ends, the hose is equipped with threaded nuts (simply “mom-mom” or American). There is another variety: on one side, a nut with a female thread, and on the other, a sleeve with an external thread (“mom-dad”).
How to connect and grow the hose? Permitted installation is carried out in accordance with the rules of SNiP 42-01-2002.
Important! The insertion and connection to the gas pipeline is carried out only by the gas service.
You can prepare components for the work, but we do not recommend doing homework. The main reason is that a minor error can lead to an emergency. Sooner or later you will have to show the equipment to a specialist. Then you may face a fine and denial of service. And even completely cut off from the highway.