Drip legs are required to be installed in a manner that meets or exceeds fuel piping codes and manufacture requirements for appliances and devices.
What is a drip leg on a gas line. A sediment trap which is sometimes called a drip leg although technically different is a capped off section of gas line which is installed in such a way that any debris or moisture in the gas line will be caught in the trap where it can be cleaned out easily. Most gas is dry therefore drip legs are not often required. This pipe extension usually is at least 3 inches long and is intended to catch any water or foreign material that may be in the gas before the material gets into the appliance itself.
That lowest point would likely not be the appliance although it could be if the appliance was in a basement in which case you could see a drip leg at the appliance. It may look like it isnt useful or goes anywhere however it is very useful. Drip legs would typically be located on the main gas line into the meter.
Drip Leg - YouTube Sediment trapThe sediment trap is a new code requirement for water heaters. Unfortunately the lack of or incorrect installation of a drip leg or sediment trap is another common item found by home inspectors daily. Drip legs technically call just a drip are installed to collect condensation in a gas piping system so they are installed in a low point to prevent condensation from running back into the gas meter.
This drip leg will catch any condensation or debris that can damage integral parts of the heater. Cutting oil metal filings etc. Nkienitz Nolan Kienitz September 18 2019 459pm 8 And change your terminology.
They are located in low areas of a gas line. Installing drip legs in the proper location serves the purpose of a. LP gas is treated different from natural gas in some areas and not different in other areas.
Great question for a couple of reasons. Drip legs and sediment traps are a capped off section of gas line that is designed and installed to catch debris or moisture in the gas line to keep the system clean. If you have a gas furnace or gas water heater then you should have a short vertical gas pipe on the front.