Whether you are connecting a new gas hob, running gas to an outdoor BBQ area, or converting your whole property from LPG bottles to natural gas, the pipework needs to be done right. Gas pipe installation is not a DIY job and it is not something to hand to a general handyman. In New Zealand, all gas work must be carried out by a certified gasfitter — it is the law, and for good reason.
At Water and Gas Worx, we are certified gasfitters who install, test, and maintain gas pipework for homes across Auckland. Every job gets a pressure test and a Gas Safety Certificate.
New Gas Pipe Runs
Adding a new gas appliance to your home usually means running new pipework from your existing gas supply to the appliance location. Common jobs we handle include:
- Gas cooktop connections: Running a gas line to your kitchen for a new gas hob. This includes the pipe run, a bayonet fitting or hard connection, and testing the entire system.
- Gas hot water installations: If you are switching to a gas continuous flow or gas storage hot water system, we run the gas supply line to the unit location and connect it up.
- Gas fireplace connections: Gas fireplaces need a dedicated gas supply line. We run the pipe and install the connection point, ready for the fireplace installer.
- Outdoor gas points: BBQ bayonets, outdoor heating connections, and gas points for alfresco kitchens. We run the line from your meter or manifold to wherever you need it.
- Gas dryer connections: Gas dryers are more efficient than electric, and we can run a gas line to your laundry for a dedicated dryer connection.
We size the pipework correctly based on the total gas load of your property. Undersized gas pipes cause low pressure at the appliance, leading to poor performance and potentially unsafe operation. We calculate the total MJ/h demand and run the right diameter pipe for the job.
LPG to Natural Gas Conversion
If natural gas (reticulated mains gas) has become available in your street, converting from LPG bottles to natural gas can save you money and hassle. No more bottles running out mid-shower, no more swap fees, and natural gas is generally cheaper per unit of energy than LPG in Auckland.
The conversion process involves:
- Applying for a gas main connection: We coordinate with the network operator (Vector or Firstgas) to get a gas main connection installed to your property boundary and a meter fitted.
- New pipework from the meter: Running new gas pipes from the meter to all your gas appliances. In many cases, the existing LPG pipework can be reused, but it needs to be tested and may need resizing for natural gas pressures.
- Appliance conversion: Most gas appliances (hot water, cooktops, heaters) can be converted from LPG to natural gas by swapping the injectors and adjusting the gas valve. Some older appliances may need to be replaced rather than converted.
- Testing and certification: The entire system is pressure tested and a Gas Safety Certificate is issued for the new installation.
Gas Pipe Testing and Compliance
Every gas installation in New Zealand must be pressure tested before it is put into service. This is not optional — it is a requirement under NZS 5261 (the New Zealand standard for gas installations) and is enforced by the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board.
A gas tightness test involves:
- Isolating the gas supply and pressurising the pipework with air or nitrogen to a specified test pressure.
- Monitoring the pressure gauge for a set period (typically 3 minutes for a standard domestic installation) to check for any pressure drop.
- If there is any pressure loss, the leak must be found and repaired, and the test repeated until the system holds pressure.
We also carry out gas pipe inspections and testing for property sales, insurance purposes, and landlord compliance. If you have an older property and you are not sure when the gas system was last checked, give us a call. We will test the system, check all connections, and issue a certificate confirming the current state of the installation.
Gas Regulations in New Zealand
Gas work in New Zealand is tightly regulated, and rightly so. Here are the key things homeowners should know:
- Only certified gasfitters can do gas work. This includes installation, repair, maintenance, and disconnection of any gas pipework or appliance. Doing your own gas work is illegal.
- A Gas Safety Certificate (GSC) must be issued for all gas work. This certificate is your proof that the work was done by a qualified person and meets the required standards. Always ask for it.
- Gas installations must comply with NZS 5261. This standard covers everything from pipe sizing and materials to test pressures and clearances.
- The Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board is the regulatory body. They issue practising licences, investigate complaints, and can prosecute people doing unlicensed gas work.
When you use Water and Gas Worx, you get a certified gasfitter who follows the rules. Every job is tested, every job gets a certificate, and we stand behind our work.