[F] My house has a gas line that extends approx 5" from the wall - I purchased a washer & dryer - it was delivered and then I found that the back of the dryer is flat and must stick out approximately 6" - this didn't work for me - it looked horrible.. I have lived in so so homes and very nice homes and I have never had this situation regardless of the brand of machine purchased or already installed - I actually thought the back of the dryer must have a concave area for the venting and gas line... Now my option is to move the line - can it be moved higher? Can it be placed into the wall? Would these options be costly? Would I need a permit to move the gas line?

Thanks for any advice!

Hi D McKay...

It can be moved higher or in the wall... no problem there.

If you are a real handy guy then this should not be a big deal. Most important will be to move the gas line and then test the gas line to be sure there are no leaks on the new work.

You will use air and a proper pressure gauge to test the piping back to the gas shutoff or if replacing the gas shutoff as well, back to the gas meter. This can get a bit involved and if tested wrong could hurt other gas appliances if they are not isolated properly... ask more on this if interested in doing this yourself.

Proper test pressure is about 10 PSI... hold for 30 minutes with no movement at the gauge.

Finally, a homeowner really shouldn't mess with gas unless VERY HANDY. Plumbing/gas code would require a plumber to pull a gas permit and put the test on so the gas inspector could confirm that all is safe. Homeowner's cannot usually pull a gas permit.

A plumber may or may not pull a permit when doing this work. Most have years of experience and usually will NOT pull a permit to relocate a line a few feet... just FYI. So, it may not be a bad idea to call a plumber in here... Hmmm..?

Let me know if you have more questions...

MARK

As Mark correctly explained, gas line can be relocated to anywhere on the wall. By my Code, there is no need for gas test if the gas pipe is 5' or shorter. However, you want somebody who knows what he/she is doing to do the job.

Use 90 degree gas valve to save more space. However, dryer always stands about 4" minimum from the wall...

In few cases, we were asked to install recessed box for gas valve. That way you have no protrusion at all. If your dryer is on exterior wall than measure exactly where the vent goes and poke a hole right there. Then, you will go directly outside with the vent, too...

Now you have washer that sticks out. You have to install Washer machine recessed box. You can now push your washer as close to the wall as the thickness of the supply hoses allow you to...

Good luck... Let us know how it went for you... Milo

Thank you both for the prompt advice. I do think the recessed gas line will really be the answer for the service porch-heavy on storage cabinets and not so much space. I would not like to eat up any space by having things further out from the wall - the water lines for the washer are recessed... Again - thank you both.

Hi again...

Be clear, as mentioned by Milo, that the dryer vent probably requires that the dryer stay off the wall a certain amount no matter what you do. If that is the case... easier to bring the pipe up inside the room.. in just the right place.

Just FYI... ;)

Good luck!

Thank you for the updated info.. O am weighing the two options - especially since it was mentioned that the dryer would be sticking out about 4" anyhow... that is something I don't recall having at any other laundry room - one of these days I will have to do something...

Usually, the 4" space is left there because of the vent 90 ell that swings behind the dryers.