Hello. I am re-doing our living room fireplace, re-building the hearth, etc. The original natural gas shutoff valve was in the original brick hearth. I have removed all of the hearth brick (using a pneumatic chisel), so I have the supply line sticking out from under the firebrick box, to the original valve, then the return line going back in, which comes up inside of the fireplace box – which I have connected to gas logs. The shutoff valve is the original one (about 35yrs old), so I’d like to take this opportunity to replace it with a new one before rebuilding the hearth. I’m building it with a wood frame, faux stone surround and larger faux stone hearth caps. The bulk of the new hearth will be hollow. Unfortunately, there’s no way to unscrew the black iron pipes in order to replace the valve, without also tearing into the fireplace box. So… I’d like to basically cut the existing valve out (after offing the gas supply and bleeding the pressure). My question (after this unnecessarily long setup) is – can I use a gas flex line inside of the rebuilt hearth box? It will be totally surrounded by faux stone with no possibility of anything being nailed/screwed into the hearth. After replacing the valve/etc, I’d test the whole area for any leaks before moving forward with the hearth build. (There’s a 2″ nipple on the outflow side of the valve which goes to a union – connected to the longer pipe going into the firebox. I’d have to cut that nipple in order to unscrew the original valve from the supply line.)
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If you're asking if you can use a gas flex like for an applicance connection in a concealed location, in short NO. There are, however, flexible piping systems that can be used. I've never had to deal with one hands on but I've talked to sales reps at plumbing supplies and these systems are fairly easy to use. I'm sure the fittings are propritory to the brand of pipe.