[Greenbuilding] [BULK] copper pipe and underground propane leak

[Lawrence Lile]

 I always used galvanized iron pipe for the underground portions of
propane piping, however I've seen propane installations in MO. With
underground copper that are quite old.  We don't have acid soils here,
so it may well have something to do with soil chemistry.  I'm getting
ready to put in some propane, so it is definitely something to watch out
for!  

--Lawrence Lile

-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Reuben
Deumling
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 4:12 PM
To: Greenbuilder list
Subject: [BULK] [Greenbuilding] copper pipe and underground propane leak
Importance: Low

Two years ago I buried a 45' copper line from my propane tank through
the foundation into my crawlspace. The line was two feet below grade.
Yesterday I discovered 120 gallons of propane missing from the tank, and
was able to isolate the leak to the underground portion of the plumbing.
I replaced the line with 3/4" black pipe wrapped in the PVC tape (yuck)
meant for such purposes. I also was advised to use dielectric unions at
both ends where the pipe enters the ground. I suspect this should take
care of matters...

My question is whether anyone on this list has heard of a big leak like
this
(~1gal/hr) developing suddenly underground? Our soil shrinks and swells
a lot over the course of a year, and the only thing I can think of is
that the movement of the soil somehow caused the line to pinch or kink
or something?
And no, there was no joint below ground. I had used a 50' roll of the
soft copper (whatever letter the heavy-wall variety is). We also have a
seasonally high water table.

Reuben Deumling
_______________________________________________
Greenbuilding email list
List info:
http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_listserv.repp.or
g
List email: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org Managed by BuildingGreen,
Inc. http://www.buildinggreen.com
      publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec(r) Hosted
and archived by REPP / CREST http://www.crest.org