Help me repair copper propane tubing

Since you have a flaring tool, you should be able to find brass flared fittings at most hardware stores and/or big box stores.

I don't remember if standard compression fittings (Swagelok, Gyrolok, etc.) are legal for indoor gas service.

This would be a non-flare compression union. It says it's rated for 200psi. I assume those are inserts in the centers that would go inside of your tube ends so that the ferrule bites against something solid and doesn't squeeze the copper out of shape. Industrial fittings generally don't have that. This is what I would use in your case, and return the flare tool kit. Just cut your ends, slide your nut and ferrule over it first, then install the inserts into the ends. Then insert your tube into the fitting body making sure it goes in all the way to the stop and stays there as you then tighten the nut. Get it pretty tight where it bites good. But don't go crazy. Once complete, put pressure on it and check for leaks with soapy water. Again, this is a very simple fix




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Why not just replace the entire line and be done with it? The more connections you make, the more of a chance for leaks in the future.


They make a spring-like sleeve to fit over copper and aluminum tubing that allows you to bend it to fit your needs without kinking it. You slide it over the tubing, bend it to the shape you need to get the connection----90/45 degree bends, u-shaped bends etc. and then remove the sleeve.


I've used these different size sleeves many times to make up brake lines out of aluminum or copper over the years and it works great.

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I work in patient care and a patient told me that it really should be black pipe

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Almost all gas appliances in my house have a flex type line from the black pipe that comes from the meter to all areas of the house with gas appliances.

My stove, oven and dryer all have flexible lines finishing the supply to them and each has a gas shut-off valve on the black pipe in case there is a leak so it can isolate the leak and not have to shut down the whole house.

You are using a portable propane tank to supply the fireplace, so it would be ideal to use a flexible line to facilitate removing the line and replacing it when needing to fill the tank.

What I would do is run black pipe as close to the propane tank as I could and then run a flex line from the tank to the black pipe. I really would not use copper since it it easily broken-----as you now know and easily kinked. You'd probably do better just using one of those stainless steel lines like those that are used for a crawfish pot or gas BBQ pit.

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Per this website copper is acceptable in propane service. Take that info for what it's worth.

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It may be acceptable, but not very practical since it is so easily kinked and broken as per the OP's situation.