Gas communications in the form of pipes is an indispensable attribute of a kitchen room in which there is a gas stove, oven or column. Often they spoil the interior with their appearance, disrupt the design and cause irritation to the owners who are trying to hide them. The question of how to close the gas pipe in the kitchen and at the same time not violate the rules of operation and safety requirements worries many. Consider ways to solve this problem.
Rules and regulations
When deciding how to hide a gas pipe, you need to take into account the requirements and standards for gas communications in the apartment.
- It is necessary to provide free quick access to the gas pipe in case of a gas leak if it is damaged.
- It is strictly forbidden to hide pipes in blind solid non-removable boxes and in gates punched in the wall in order to avoid explosion due to gas accumulated during leakage.
- Even when installing boxes that are easy to disassemble and provided with good ventilation, you should coordinate your intentions with the gas services.
- It is forbidden to move gas pipes and metering devices on their own. Only specialists authorized by the gas service may do this.
- Masking communications is possible only using materials intended for such work.
- Staining is a prerequisite. It protects pipes from corrosion and extends their life.
- When working with gas pipes, it is forbidden to attach heavy objects to them, thereby exerting an additional load.
Safety during work, as well as during subsequent operation of gas equipment, should always remain a priority.
Dyeing
The simplest, most affordable and affordable way to mask pipes is to paint them. If you approach this matter creatively, annoying communications can be made completely invisible or, conversely, turned into a memorable element of decoration. The advantage of this method is that access to the pipe remains free, so you will not have any complaints from the gas services.
The easiest way is to paint the pipes in the same color as the walls, achieving the greatest match of colors. A white pipe against a white wall becomes almost invisible.
Some people prefer to paint gas communications in contrasting colors. Such a solution is suitable for those kitchens, in the design of which saturated bright shades prevail. It is good if the color of the pipe matches any interior detail - curtains or kitchen furniture.
If the design of the room allows, communications can be painted with golden or silver paint, and also apply geometric or floral patterns to them. You can paint a pipe in the form of a tree trunk, for example, birch. To make this design look even more original and organically fit into the interior, you can draw several leaflets next to the wall.
For painting pipes using traditional types of paints.
Decoration options
In pursuit of originality, some decorate pipes by gluing them with glass balls using the “Moment” glue. Someone makes a tree trunk out of a pipe by wrapping it with twine and decorating it with leaves cut from green plastic.
Another option is a decoupage style disguise. How to close the gas pipe in the kitchen this way?
- The surface is carefully cleaned, freeing from old paint, grease and dirt.
- A paper or fabric napkin is smeared with PVA glue and the upper layer with the pattern is separated.
- Apply it to the pipe and gently smooth it.
- Top grease again.
- When it dries, varnish everything.
Some simply close the pipe, hanging it with magnets.
What is railing
Railing is a metal rod attached to a wall. With a variety of hooks, holders and shelves, it is easy to place various kitchen utensils on it - a ladle, colander, pan covers, towels, etc. The proposed method is to create the appearance that the gas pipe passing through the wall is actually the railing that the designer intended. To this end, the pipe is painted so that it matches the color as much as possible with the railing, which usually has a shade of bronze, copper or is made of chromed metal.
The railing is installed directly under the pipe and various kitchen utensils are hung on it. Close to the railing and matching the color of the pipe, it will create the illusion that it is a part of the overall system.
How to hide a horizontal pipe
The horizontally located gas communication, laid high enough, can be hidden by installing a wide shelf under it. After various kitchen utensils are placed on it, the pipe will cease to be noticeable at all, especially if it is painted to match the color of the wall. Of course, the shelf should be installed in compliance with all safety measures so as not to damage the gas pipeline.
If instead of the shelf to place kitchen cabinets, the pipe will be even less noticeable. Cabinets are deeper than the shelves, so the gas pipeline will be practically invisible from below. With this method, all safety rules are observed - free access to communications and adequate ventilation.
Using furniture to disguise
Using furniture installed in the kitchen, you can hide not only pipes located both horizontally and vertically, but also gas equipment - counters and even columns.
For this purpose, you can order a special false cabinet or remodel an existing kitchen set. On the back wall of the cabinet, as well as on its upper and lower surfaces, holes are made for pipes. To hide the gas riser, a pencil case is usually used. Horizontal pipes are hidden in an ordinary cabinet. Inside the cabinet that conceals the gas pipe, you can store various kitchen utensils. The main thing is that this cabinet should be well ventilated, so for ventilation in the most inconspicuous places you will need to make several holes or install a grill and in the future make sure that they are not covered by cans and pans.
The design of the furniture hiding the pipe should provide quick and easy access to communications.
Box device
All of the above methods can only mask pipes. If you want to completely hide their presence, you can build a box. The material for such a box is usually gypsum board, plywood, plastic or MDF. Many people are interested in this - is it possible to close gas pipes with drywall? It is possible, but subject to the following conditions:
- The box should not be monolithic. If necessary, access to communications should be provided in the shortest possible time. Therefore, at least part of the box must be disassembled easily and quickly.
- An indispensable condition is the installation in a ventilation duct in the form of perforations or gratings. In its absence, gas, even with a small leak, will accumulate inside the box, which will lead to disastrous consequences.
Failure to comply with these requirements will entail a risk to the life and health of the inhabitants of the apartment, as well as fines from the gas service.
Material for the box
What material is better to choose for the construction of the box? Currently, the most popular material for these purposes is drywall. Is it possible to close the gas pipes with drywall? Yes you can. This material is characterized by virtues that make it indispensable for these purposes:
- it is a heat and waterproofing material;
- it lends itself to bending, which makes it possible to create rounded shapes;
- lightweight, which means it is the most suitable for the construction of removable structures;
- it can be painted in tone with the rest of the interior, as a result of which the box becomes as if its integral part.
For the construction of the box, it is better to use fire-resistant types of drywall.
One of the drawbacks of such a duct is the decrease in the useful area of the kitchen, which is why gas pipes under drywall are usually hidden in spacious kitchen rooms.
Another disadvantage of drywall is its inability to hold a lot of weight. Therefore, wondering if it is possible to close the gas pipes with drywall, decide in advance whether you are going to hang shelves on the box or install a TV.
Box installation
Depending on the location of the pipes, the duct can be vertical or horizontal. To install a box of drywall for gas pipes you will need:
- moisture resistant drywall;
- profile or slats for the frame;
- screwdriver;
- self-tapping screws;
- scissors for metal.
How to sew a gas pipe with drywall? The action algorithm in this case is as follows:
- First, you should calculate the size of the structure. The distance from the pipes to the frame must be at least ten centimeters. It is also necessary to take into account the need for free access to gas pipe taps.
- The frame is installed. The profile or slats are fastened with screws to the wall.
- The resulting structure is measured and marked out with a sheet of drywall. Details of the future box are cut out of it.
- Fix them on the frame with screws using a screwdriver. Roughnesses are putty, cracks close up with mounting foam.
- To access the faucet or counter, plumbing hatches are installed in the drywall.
- The box is primed, and then painted in tone with the walls, glued with wallpaper or decorated using decoupage.
Thus, the question of whether it is possible to close gas pipes with drywall depends only on the availability of the space necessary for this design and on compliance with safety requirements.