Gas pipes in the home pose a conundrum for many people. Do they have to be yellow, or can you afford to be free? Today we will try to answer any doubts.

Changing colour: why and what does the legislation say about it?

The generally accepted colour of gas pipes is yellow. The regulations do not impose a top-down colour scheme on us - it is worth bearing this in mind. For this very reason, there are no contraindications to changing their colour. Sometimes homeowners paint their pipes a different step to unify and 'camouflage' the installations in the house. However, there are situations where, with certain arrangements, owners decide to make the gas pipes visible. This gives the interior a modern or industrial touch (black, hammered steel or silver work well).

Gas pipes - which ones?

Gas installations can be made of two types of material. These can be copper pipes, or steel pipes. Each of these materials has different characteristics. For example, copper tubes are characterised by their ductility in processing, thin walls and diffusion tightness (you can read more about these pipes in our other article, which you will find in HERE). Steel pipes, on the other hand, are characterised by their impermeability to outside gases, resistance to crushing and low temperature expansion.

What to bear in mind when painting gas pipes?

However, there are a few rules to bear in mind when embarking on such an undertaking. Firstly, a leakage check of the installation should be carried out before starting work. This can be carried out by a certified fitter or a person from the gas supply company. The second key issue is to paint only the pipes, avoiding the screw connections, gas filters, ball valves, etc. If, however, there is a situation where the pipes are painted over, we will not be able to paint them. However, if the situation arises where such joints are painted over, we have to reckon with certain difficulties. When carrying out a periodic inspection of the installation, a gasworks employee may recommend that the paint be removed. This is because it is at these points that the gas analyser is applied.

Finally, it is still important to remember that only the pipes in the flat can be painted. Those outside the flat (e.g. in the stairwell) must remain yellow - they must not be painted.

Preparation and selection of paint

Before starting work, an important element is the correct preparation of the surface, as well as the choice of paint. There should be no problem with the latter. Paint should be selected according to its intended use. Pay attention to which materials the paint is intended for. The recommended temperature for such painting is between +5°C and +30°C.

We recommend that you handle the pipes with care so that they are not disturbed and the installation is not unsealed. Remember that safety first.