Gastite VS. Proflex CSST flexible propane/natural gas line intro & comparison
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- Опубліковано 19 жов 2013
- Side by side comparison of two widely available CSST systems. (Corrugated stainless steel tubing) Gastite uses a metal to metal seal while ProFlex uses a dual sealing gasket system.
Proflex manufacturers site:
www.proflexcsst.com/
Gastite manufacturers site:
www.gastite.com/
Other Info:
www.csstsafety.com/ - Навчання та стиль
![How-to Install Pro-Flex Gas Lines [Propane or Natural Gas]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nJEX0Zm317I/mqdefault.jpg)
10 years later, watching your video. I think you did a good job with the video.
After a little over 20 years of installing csst where applicable - I can say for ease of use AND worry-free , no-leak seals...Wardflex and Proflex are the way to go. I have NEVER had a leak or a failure with either of these systems. Proflex IS a teensie more complex to assemble , but by NO means difficult , and it's dual seal system is VERY forgiving and reliable.
It should be noted that Pro-flex fittings have not been changed for over 20 years. This suggests reliability. Very easy to connect.
I have used Pro Flex and Gas Tight. While the Gas Time seems simpler, it is also prone to leaks due to misalignment of the pipe into the fittings. The Pro Flex is more forgiving in this aspect and is a lot easier to tighten down, basically hand tighten plus 1/4 turn with wrench, while the Gas Tight requires more wrench tight turning
Having use both types professionally, the gas tite needs heavy wrenching to seal, whereas proflex is much easier to seal and keep sealed.
This is the answer. And this is why Pro-flex is far superior.
Nice comparison of products and a quality video, good job
Nice presentation. I find it best to use this flex in "accessible" areas, connecting between iron pipe supply and iron pipe fittings at the appliance, thus using flex where flex is most convenient and using solid pipe at stable ends of a line ... the beauty being you can build out the appliance connections and the 'distant' supply connections separately, then join them with a flex run. I am running lines beneath my mobile home. As with any installation of a "system" to create a seal ... careful review & complete familiarization is essential, then making it relatively easy and confident. Careful DIY craftsmanship, taking time to educate self first and do-it-right almost always surpasses "professional" gotta-get-it-done work. A year after working with Proflex, I jumped back in and RE-educated myself before doing more work with it.
Thanks this was a great intro to the subject as I start my own research.
Great summary of the two systems........next step of installation of the two types of systems would be very informative as well.... thx
Helpful comparison as I begin my research into what type of pipe I want to use.
expertly done.good info and helpful as i start to explore my gas line options.-thanks
this was great. Exactly what I needed to know for a small project.
I used the Proflex brand at home, I like the double gasketed seal. Seems to work pretty well. I have used Wardflex as well, if I understand annealed correctly it allows for shaping the pipe around bends and the like. If you use non-annealed, you'll find it is a little springy and difficult to shape and bend.
This is an excellent video.
Thanks for the review !!
what is the the crush rating of this product???
I've installed proflex, and 10 yrs later, it's still in use with no problems.
I purchased a building with gastite already installed. It looks to be 10 yrs or more and there's no problem.
Good detailed observations in this video. I wonder what your personality type is now. :-).
I think the proflex is good for the homeowner install, but contracters who do this multiple times might not like all rings and washers. Employee error would be significantly increased as well as time.
I used to think DIY'er were hacks (and maybe they still are) but the some of the "professionals" aren't any better and in fact, maybe worse, because they think they know what they're doing.
As a plumber with a decade in the trade and 5 yrs as a general gas fitter (no restriction on appliance size) I can safely say the info was very informative. I use TracPipe for my installations when necessary, based on its ease of use and EHD Values. the obly product to give a larger capacity per foot being sch. 40. None the less very informative.
Where I live homeowners cannot install any appliance or piping. But I have run into sub par and heard of pex tubing being run by homeowners. Atleast the proper material is showcased here.
sch 40 lol what hell are you talking about that is for liquids non flammable liquids.
is pro flex and home flex fittings interchangeable ? thankyou
I've never used Gastite, but Pro-flex (slot at Lowes) is incredibly easy, and gets much better reviews than the brand of CSST that's sold at Home Depot.
When we run gas tite, we also leave it loose in the walls. No clamps so that if a nail hits it, hopefully it will deflect. Then obviously mail plates where it goes through a stud
I use a lot of proflex. Never a problem.
Good info, have you heard of Ward Flex it's a better product and easier to work with. The tube bends easier and the fittings installation is a dream to the installers. The product is made in the USA and is a preferred product to the professionals.
Great video just info.
My experience is that proflex takes less pain in the rear to seal that most other systems. We have a job going on right now that is Gastite Flash Shield. (because we want it lightning proof). It looks similar to the other brands that are hard to get leak free at fittings. I should know by the end of the week if we are ever going to use it again. I am skeptical until I know it will hold 25 psi for a week at least. I will just keep my fingers crossed.
How did the gastite work?
do you know where i can buy the yellow gastite lines? all the local plumbing stores dont have it
Proflex gas pipes lowes have those
Great video! Your end cuts on the Gastite look way smoother than the end cuts on the Proflex. Just noticed this is an old video, not that it's bad or anything.
Mark K
The pro flex is marketed as more forgiving of messy cuts. This is probably due to the 3-ring sealing system. Maybe primarily dyy it r to the silicone (red) o-ring. But, not being an expert, the reason for the more forgiving seal it s my speculation. If you discover different in your research, please let us all know. Thanks.
Good review! As a plumber/pipefitter for the last 20 yrs I'd say go with black iron pipe whenever possible. I've installed plenty of csst and always thought it was somewhat sketchy. Black iron pipe will last forever. Don't forget the pipe has explosive gas in it.
0wetduck0 your right it does have explosive gas IN IT.But until that gas is combined with the key ingredient its not explosive.OXYGEN
Gastite is 100 times better than that Lowes ccst junk.The guy who made the video gave us most of the reasons that Gastite was better.But heres the biggest.Gastite csn be taken apart and reused.Now the Lowes junk ccst can be as well.But I just installed a 75 gallon natural gas water heater.With Gastite I might add.And the other existing fixtures were done with the Lowes ccst junk.I took the ccst apart so I could reroute it so a future project was made easier.And that rubber oring was so torn up from the initial installation I didnt even know it was a oring.This video is how I found out it was a oring.I was so worried that I pressure tested it after reconnecting it to the manifold.The Lowes ccst junk is for harry homeowner.And Lowes will sell millions of feet of the junk.That is until someone screws up and they get there house blown up.GASTITE takes a training certification coarse to be able to be bought and used.Just like Tracpipe.And Im sure Wardflex is the same.Im a Master plumber/pipefitter myself and yes T&C black steel pipe was the standard for over a hundred years.But the Gastite can save time in labor.Sure it costs more and u need certified to run it.But dont u think its only safe to need to be certified to run it?After all it is explosive as hell (when combined with oxygen)!So its the safest pipe by far of the 2.I wouldnt use the Lowes ccst junk if given unlimited access to all of it and its fittings for free.
@@hippyheli38lc hand tight plus quarter to half turn, any more will crush tear the silicone o ring,...happened to me, I read the book for propper install,I do like the less components of gas tight,less chance of idiots like we hired blowing up your home
At least where I live, gastite is only available to licensed plumbers. ProFlex is available to anyone, at Lowes. I used ProFlex in an installation in my home and ran into no problems. It is not difficult to assemble the fittings. The fittings and tubing itself are fully compatible with galvanized or black pipe. One way it is superior to threaded steel pipe, is that it is very easy to cut into it and Tee off for another appliance.
I have installed a lot of gas tile as a plumber and never an issue...the other brand I don’t know much about
By his own admittance, he is no Hank Hill
Now I'm no Hank Hill :)
Put on Hank Hill expert in propane and propane accessories, i'll tell you what.
Propane accessories, Funny!
Thanks had some guys overtighten the pro flex,damaging the seal,instructions called for hand tighten then quarter to half turn,and no more,also you want to be careful pushing the seal onto the sharp edges,of the corrugated stainless, I've kept my connections accessable,and properly bonded, for lightning,you must not have ducting,metal pipes,or wire,touch the csst,anything energized in lightning strike ,can pop a hole,causing possible fire,,be sure to self qualify,or hire trained professionals, many fly by nighters,can put your home at risk doing it wrong
Be Warned:
I had a contractor install a gas hot water heater in my home some 10 years ago. The contractor installed the Proflex hose that ran from my water heater to a connection in my upstairs bath closet to iron pipe that then ran to the furnace in my attic. Several years after installation I smelled gas in my closet. The hose was leaking gas at the union joint. I called my local gas utility they came out and shut the gas off. They then repaired the leak. I asked why for no reason it began leaking. The technician could offer no reason.
A year later it began leaking gas again at the same joint. Same scenario I was shown the piece of the threaded end that was removed. A hole developed between the threads. No plausible reason was offered why it happened. I suggested humidity in the bathroom as evident on surface rust on the iron pipe. I was told this has no bearing on this leak.
About a year later it happened again. SAME DEAL, this time the hole was larger and spewing more gas. I was livid. This time the tech added more iron pipe and relocated the connection to just inside the bifold door to where is easier access. I maintained it has to have something to do with humidity stainless steel thread into iron pipe, again I am told no. Tech wrapped the connection with a special tape to keep moisture off the connection. Just recently for the 4th time another gas leak. This time it was at the joint. I hired another contractor to remove this flex hose and it was replaced with a lifetime warranty track hose. The iron pipe was all rusted up from the humidity that goes on in a bath closet.
At no time did I experience any gas leaks in this hose at the connection at my hot water heater in my laundry room. 4 different gas leaks where this hose was connected to iron pipe in a high humidity room. This was a time bomb in my home.
My advice. Avoid this type pipe in an area where there is humidity. It’s just not worth the risk. It’s not fun be awoken in the middle of the night with a gas leak then being told we’re not sure why its leaking but the humidity is not the issue. Whether the humidity played a part or not, this hose failed 4 times all with new ends installed on it. Piping was secured and joint were tightly secure. Be warned. AVOID THIS TYPE HOSE
Avoid what type of hose? Every manufacturer has a different design to transition from the CSST to a brass fitting.
@@rpsmith The yellow hose had aluminum threads. For whatever reason no one could understand why, holes developed in the aluminum causing gas leaks. Maybe it was the cast iron pipe and aluminum together at the union? This was in my bath closet with high humidity. This happened multiple times. I hired another contractor was told the yellow hose like in the video was replaced with the black.
Update a year later. The coupling and union was moved to my attic and the black flex pipe runs to my water heater now. No joints in the closet. All is well no more gas leaks.
@@Vshky - I would think Aluminum to Cast Iron would be against code! I only put Aluminum against Aluminum or Stainless Steel.
@@rpsmith Holes developed between threads above the connection. My local gas company's answer was to shorten the line and add another connection. After a year leaks developed. They could not figure out why. I fired them and got another reputable contractor that told me the yellow pipe is outdated and should not have been used in high humidity area and or a union in that space. Single piece line was used and problem solved.
You said the reason of yellow color of gastite is annealed, I don't think so. After heat treatment the color should be very silver
Heat treating makes things bronze
Earth bounding is a legal requirement regardless the pipe used.
Bonding is not required on all csst....it used to be that way, but now some manufacturers specifically state that bonding is not required. (flashshield, and flashshield+ are both made by gastite and not required to be bonded, however...regular gastite is required to be bonded. . A more true statement would be that the less expensive csst's out there all require bonding,. but there are manufacturers making lines of csst that are specifically not required to be bonded unless your local code requires it. They all state that if your local code requires it, then you must bond it regardless of whether or not your csst is lightning proof.
@@clayaustin9339
I'm in UK, over here is still a requirement.
aaelectricalservices.co.uk/main-and-supplementary-bonding-earthing-to-gas-and-water-supplies/
Does a license make them an expert craftsman?
No a lic don't make THEM an expert BUTT your ins would be more likely to cover if something goes wrong...
Does a lack of a license increase the likelihood of them being skilled?
WoW! More parts equals more chances to screw something up. I would go with the three piece even if it cost more as it just looks simpler.
Hank Hill
This commentary be a little late but for nail protection between studs were required not to secure it. You secure it where it stubs out but not along the run. This way a nail or screw can push the pipe to the side rather than penetrate it. If it’s secure then it will penetrate.
I’ve only ever used gas tite and it’s successor flash shield. Pro flex is lying when they say they have the only reusable fittings. Gas tite fittings are reusable. In fact I had to use gas tite in a garage one time because they needed gas lines moved but then they’d be demoing the ceiling joists and putting new ones in so I had to put the gas tite in them take it apart for the new joists, drill holes and reassemble it. The only part that compresses is the csst itself so the fitting can be reused.
PS. It looks like the reason pro flex has two metal washers is one of them is a friction ring. This so the nut can spin freely without distorting the o ring.
Sorry but I was planning to use this type of gas line from my tank to the house then to to my gas range & dryer
Inspection
It failed inspection because of it as well as the gas supplier refusing to install it
I was told it was illegal to use it for anything other than outdoor grills
This is because of lightning strikes even if you have proper grounding & all the correct clamps
Also be aware that different brands require you use the fitting of that brand
Cant interchange them
So from my understanding youd be throwing your money out the window cause stores wont take it back after its cut even tho they still sell it to unsuspecting buyers that are told by them its all safe & sound
Sorry to burst your bubble of a DIY job but its better than seeing your home on tv as its burning down in the next storm
Flow rate is the big difference. A 50 foot length of proflex delivers 32,000 btus worth of natural gas where the same me size gastite delivers 42,000 btus.
Counter Strike over Gastite
Honestly don't use any of this shit unless I absolutely have to.Still a
"Black iron" screw pipe man.Only use any of this flexible stuff on really tough inaccessible areas, don't like any of it and never will!
why the gastite tube is yellow? If it is stainless steel it should be silver color
People please call a licensed plumber to do any natural gas/propane lines for you. If they’re licensed at least they’re familiar with the safety and maybe insured. This guy knows just enough to make someone dangerous. Lots of safety issues not covered . Supporting the system, testing, protection against nail penetration. Safety.
For life and property.
Now I'm not an expert, but I'm going to make a video to teach you everything I don't know.
Cooof
bookguitarguy - did we watch the same video? I thought it was great and informative, I did not hear anything that you are talking about, maybe you just need to come out of the closet already, lol
What the he'll was that what a waste of time
You need to go back to English school!🤣🤣🤣
Couldn't take his smacking noises. Gotta watch a different person.
Nothing useful here. Like comparing potato chips to potato chips.
Regular time waster.
Gas tight and Ward Flex pretty much are the same. Pro flex is a problem waiting to happen. No test needed for Harry Home owner to just walk in and buy at Home Depot is a joke, Both Gas Tight and Ward Flex you need to take a test after a class. This guy has no clue!
let me guess.... you are a angry that people can do repairs themselves rather than paying you...? What's wrong with DIY... I am not a pro but actually enjoy doing woodworking and from that I have learned and got very good at many other trades....I dealt with plumbers and other pro contractors that knew less than me as far as code and how to do things right....IF there is a real issue with the Pro flex products - that's one thing but saying that people somehow shouldn't be allowed to buy construction materials or pipes and fittings unless they are part of a trade is just wrong.
No test required to buy any of them. Just picked up 100ft of wardflex and a pile of fittings. No test or certification was required....
just my personal opinion both these products are junk
Neither. I've used miles of both. Hard pipe it and go to a rubber tube at the end off a regulator.