R P Gas Piping provides gas line solutions to all needs, from homeowner to business to commercial installations. Natural gas and propane gas, gas line installations, gas line plumbing and repair, gas storage tanks, and gas generators are the most popular services of Fry’s company that prides itself on outstanding customer service.

With excellent ratings from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AROC) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), R P Gas Piping has become a company that is trusted and respected in the Arizona business community, and is frequently recommended by current customers as well as professional service and utility providers.

In the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area Fry and his business are known for their strong stand on safety. Each employee and contractor on a job site is accountable for both quality and safety, a philosophy that helps R P Gas Piping stand out from the field of gas piping contractors. R P Gas Piping is committed to safety on job sites and leaving safe quality workmanship behind.

R P Gas Piping’s famous, “DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME,” mentality has helped the company gain and maintain a recognized leadership position that not only supports their safety and quality standards, but also creates value and promotes cost savings for customers. Every job and every customer – no matter how small or how large – receives the same efficient use of time and materials that results in a superior finished project done correctly the first time.

All of the honorees were asked to give advice about entrepreneurial success. Fry’s advice is also his philosophy for business success: “You have to be willing to grow as a person with your company if you want your company to grow. Go to school, educate yourself, read books, find mentors and hold on! Get in and get your hands dirty in all aspects. It will make you respect yourself and people will respect you, which will help you build your company.”

Natural gas and propane gas storage, usage, and repairs are a critical safety consideration for your business or home.  An unlicensed contractor or unqualified contractor can leave you with sub-standard work – a costly mistake that will not be a bargain in the long run.  Gas lines will fail if the proper procedure and materials are not used when the installation process is completed.  Specific permit procurement is required and must be completed to ensure that the proper inspection of the work is completed.  The outcome of an improper installation can be gas leaks, premature corrosion and propane tank failure. 

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AROC) published information explains:  “Since most unlicensed contractors are not bonded or insured and do not pay into the residential contractors’ recovery fund or pay any unemployment compensation for their workers, they can often under bid the licensed professional.  This bottom line may at first be attractive to the property owner, as a way to lower costs and save money.  Most of the time, it is not.”

This problematic trend in the gas plumbing industry is not only unethical, but truly dangerous.  An unqualified contractor may possess a license, but it may not be applicable to gas pipe work (such as a general landscaping license).  An unlicensed contractor carries no license or insurance at all.

Be sure to verify with AROC that your contractor is licensed and qualified for gas line and propane tank installation. Only then can you be certain that the workmanship, materials, permits and inspections are completed to the highest safety levels.  Anything less is certainly not a bargain.

Check with AROC online at www.azroc.gov or by calling 602-542-1525 or toll free 1-877-MYAZROC  (1-877-692-9762).

For the safety of your business and staff or your home and family, it is important to spot and repair any gas pipe corrosion before it becomes a leak.  Trained gas pipe plumbers can not only spot problems now, but also determine areas that are likely to become problems in the future.  A proactive approach to safety ensures a worry-free home or business for you.

Corrosion will never stop, reverse, or minimize by itself.  Since a chemical reaction is taking place, a planned resolution is needed to combat the corrosion.  In technical terms, preventing or minimizing corrosion is accomplished by cathodic protection in which the anodes (actively corroding sites) are converted to cathodes (passive, non-corroding areas) by the application of an alternate source energy or materials such as magnesium, sleeving or coating.  In other words, salt or other chemicals/minerals that may react with the pipelines must be countered by adding a protective measure to stop the corrosive process.  Only then can repairs be effectively undertaken.

Combating corrosion is an important process.  Choosing the lowest priced bid may not ensure that your gas line contractor has the experience and technical knowledge to make a complete repair.  Often the lower bids will not factor in important costs such as permit fees or inspections, which will simply be added to the total price later on.

And while it may be possible to skimp on natural gas or propane gas plumbing inspections and repairs for now, the damage caused by corrosion will turn up on later inspections such as when the sale of a home or property is in progress.  And, of course, once the corrosion results in a leak, everyone is at risk.  The cost of repairs and liability at that point will be much higher than proper maintenance in the first place.

In Arizona, you must have a permit for any gas line work and allow the work to be inspected.  You should obtain a permit from the local board or authority.  The office or representative will explain the necessary procedures, including the length of time the permit covers, the inspections that are necessary, and the “Green Sticker” requirement for a legally compliant installation.

DIY installation may invalidate your appliance warrantee.  Most manufacturers will not warrant an appliance unless it was installed by a licensed contractor in good standing with the local regulatory board.  The reason for this is simple.  The expectation is that an appliance will have a longer life without need of repair or replacement if all necessary details were professionally reviewed, such as proper gas line pressure, thorough check for joint leaks, and adequate ventilation.  The manufacturer’s assumption is that a do-it-yourselfer may not be familiar with the needed standards.

DIY installation may invalidate your home owner’s insurance.  This standard can vary by insurance carrier and by state, and many homeowners are unaware of the possibility.  But it is certainly a serious concern and worth the phone call to your agent or insurance company.  In the event of an accident – even if not related to the DIY installation – it would be devastating to discover that your insurance would not pay for repairs.  Protecting your family and your property is a priority for you, and this important consideration should not be overlooked.

DIY gas line installation can be a daunting task.  If it is your first plumbing or piping project, you should give appropriate thought to the advisability of your choice as well as to the safety measures needed.  Even if you are an experienced do-it-yourselfer, be sure to act on these recommendations before you begin the project.  For the safest possible outcome, contact a licensed and qualified gas piping contractor.