How to prevent gas line coming into the water heater from swinging?

[enochian]

Here is an old pic:

https://i.ibb.co/bBtpzSw/IMG-20200908-195008183.jpg

I replaced the water heater, but I used a flex line coming into the unit.

Now the whole gas line swings around.

 

[Phog]

Use a split ring pipe hanger, and attach it to some kind of structure using an appropriate fastener (rod hanger plate, side beam rod connector etc) and a cut-to-length piece of threaded rod. They have all of this stuff at your local big box home center or local hardware store. But I also feel compelled to inform you that there is probably a reason the water heater gas line was hard plumbed -- it's probably code in your area and flex connectors probably aren't allowed. Also you should consider leak checking the joint that is moving when your gas line "swings". That's not good.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[enochian]

Is there any way to secure to the water heater itself?

 

[Phog]

Yes, by hard plumbing the entire line (as it was previously).

 

[wwhitney]

Obviously not earthquake country, as if it were the water heater would be strapped. You could use a strap kit in reverse, to secure a wood block to the water heater, and then strap the black iron to the wood block. Not sure if I advise that.

Or you could use a Simpson Titen HD Threaded Rod Hanger to stub up a short piece of threaded rod from the slab to to the black iron and strap the black iron to the threaded rod.

But it seems like phog's suggestion is simplest/best.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[enochian]

I don't know how to hard pipe this thing in other than redoing every joint.

 

[wwhitney]

That's what the union is for. You make up everything except the last nipple, then you figure out the length of your last nipple (allowing for the takeup of the two joints), take apart the union, make up the joints at the two ends of the nipple (making sure to get the correct orientation for the part below the union), and then make up the union again.

Not sure which nipple is best for the last nipple, the horizontal one or the one from the tee to the union.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Phog]

You turn off the gas, break the union and take off the tubing downstream of it. Typically you then have to cut 2-4 new pipes to length to go between the union and the new location of the water heater gas inlet. You can also take the first upstream pipe off just prior to the union & resize it if needed. If you hire a plumber, they have equipment to do the pipe cutting & threading on site in their van. But hardware stores often also offer free custom length cutting & threading (including at big box); if you figure out dimensions yourself and bring in the pipe lengths you need, they can usually get it to within about +/- 1/4". It's on you, of course, if you measure wrong -- can't return custom cut pipe. Also you shouldn't be doing gas plumbing without a license according to the laws of many/most municipalities, often illegal even in your own house. It can have extremely dangerous consequences if done wrong. But some people DIY anyway.

Black iron union: