CSST Gas Line is a Couple Feet Too Sort

Question

I'm finishing my basement ceiling which includes building a bulkhead around ductwork, plumbing and two CSST gas lines. When the house was built (2002) the contractors used just enough of the CSST to get from point A to point B pinned to the underside of the ceiling joists. For the most part I'm able to tuck the lines inside the bulkhead for the length of the room, as opposed to having them run just above the drywall. Everything would work great if one of the lines was just a bit longer. (See attached photo.)

Shouldn't I be able to splice in 4-5 feet of CSST to make it fit? Information seems scarce on this but some sources seem to say (according to codes) that you can't "splice" CSST gas lines -- that it has to be one continuous run. That seems odd but I can't find anything saying that splicing is just fine. I know my stuff when it comes to carpentry, plumbing and electric, but have no experience with gas lines. I'm not opposed to bringing in a professional to make this happen but wanted to see what options are available. Any help greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

To close this out, I had a friendly, professional, licensed plumber come out and make the change and it set me back all of $110 + a $20 tip. In retrospect, there was no reason to be concerned about cost and every reason to pay a professional. Sharing this in case it's helpful for someone else facing a similar situation.

Editing to add details: The plumber used all existing lines. He added a few inches of slack by connecting to one of the manifold fittings that was just a tad closer. I'm not certain, but he may have also swapped out the "short" line with an existing line that was just a tad longer.

Answer 2

Some day, possibly years from now, you are going to become concerned about the smell of gas in your house. This can happen in any house, no matter how well maintained.

If you take the trouble to install a continuous CSST line today, then on that troublesome day, when you start to track down the source of the smell, you will know it can not be the splice you installed in 2021 because you didn't do that.

Answer 3

I don't know if spliced joints meet code.

However, physically splicing CSST is clearly trivial, as even big box stores list brass unions with ¾"x¾" and ½"x½" sizes. Here's Home Depot's ¾"x ¾" one:

Answer 4

Whether or not YOU can do it depends on your local ordinance.

Are you HOME-FLEX CSST certified?

Are you prepared to pressure test that line with a gauge (okay-ish) or manometer (best) after completing your splice? You cannot test CSST connections using soap bubbles, fyi...

Quite honestly I would be much more worried about:

1. Bonding - I don't see a clamp; hopefully it's just out of sight!
2. Too much jacket removed- instructions state to remove only 2 valley's worth
3. Kink? That bend radius looks far too tight. Don't try unbending it though, you could make things worse.

Answer 5

Instead of worrying about CSST splices or extra-long csst pipe, why not just extend your black steel delivery pipe t>o within the required distance of the appliance?