gasnatural-gasplumbingstove
I am getting a gas stove delivered to replace my existing one. I am in a condominium unit, but I don't see a gas shutoff valve, there are ones for the water inside of my unit.
I thought it may be this brass nut piece sticking up in the middle, so I put some wd-40, but it doesn't seem to turn.
Should I try to turn it more or is there no shutoff valve here?
Thank you!
You should be able to tell by the color, and connections used.
"Black pipe" is commonly used for natural gas, and is dark grey/black.
All connections will be threaded.
Water lines come in a variety of materials, some of the most common are.
This will be um... copper, in color.
While there are other ways to join copper pipes, the most common is solder.
Galvanized pipes will be a light grey.
And use threaded connections similar to black pipe.
You might also find various types of plastic-ish water pipes. These can come in a variety of colors. Red, blue, white, black, etc.
These may use compression type connections, crimp connections, or various other type or connectors.
Try using your other senses.
If it's warm to the touch, it's likely hot water (may not be warm unless hot water was recently used). Hold the pipe and have a helper turn a nearby tap on/off quickly, to see if you can feel vibrations. Try running the water for a bit, then touch the pipe to see if the temperature changes. If the pipe gets colder/hotter, it's likely a water line.
Put your ear to the pipe, and again have a helper turn on a nearby tap. If you hear the water clearly in the pipe, you found yourself a water line. (make sure the pipe is not in contact with any other pipes when you do this, since sound could be transferred to the other pipe). This is not the most accurate method, but it can sometimes work.
This won't help you at all. I just pictured people licking pipes in my head, and thought it was funny. You could tell your helper to do it, and then laugh at them when they do it. But it's not going to help you figure out what the pipe is.
Start with some penetrating oil and time. Then proceed to mild heat from outside. You want to expand the nut, but not the inner parts. If you have room, a plumber's torch (judicially applied) or a basic flame from other sources. Be sure to steer clear of vinyl parts that could be damaged.
Best Answer
Yes, that appears to be a valve. Note that it can only turn 90 degrees (clockwise as it sits), constrained by the lugs on the side. The line indicates gas flow (in line with the pipe as pictured open, crossways to the pipe closed.)
If it requires excessive force to operate, better to have gas shut off upstream and replace it, rather than risk breaking it.
WD-40 is not really the appropriate thing to use on stuck items - it has a particular use (displacing water) and it's a poor excuse for either a penetrant or lubricant.