How To Cap A Gas Lamp Post | Do It Like A Pro!
It has been centuries since when gas lamps are in use to light up the streets and yards. But these days gas lamps can not be seen as often as before due to the inventions of modern LEDs with a broader spread of light than gas lamps. Yet, there are people who still prefer gas lamps to give a touch of sophistication to their homes and the essence of the ancients to the roads.
But when it comes to capping a gas lamp post, you will hardly find a professional to do the job for. In that case, only you can help yourself out of the situation by capping the lamp yourself. In this article, we will be talking about how you can cap a gas lamp post like a pro.
Why Capping A Gas Lamp Post Is Important?
But before jumping into the process of capping a gas lamp post, let us tell you why you need to cap your lamp in the first place.
First of all, protection is a must. If you don’t cap your gas lamp, external elements like water, dust particles, or insects may damage the exposed gas line. Any flammable materials near the lanterns may cause destruction in absence of a cap on the gas lamp post.
Secondly, it will protect the lamp to prevent leaks. Sometimes gas leaks can be very deadly. And this threat can be battled if the lamp is capped. The gas leak will not be able to come out due to the cap and prevent any probable hazards from the leak.
How To Cap A Gas Lamp Post – Easy To Follow
Choose A Cap
The first step of capping your gas lamp starts with choosing the right cap. While doing that, you must remember whether your lamp is located indoors or outdoors.
If you are capping your indoor lamp post, you may prioritize the design of the cap. There are caps for indoors that look almost like a chandelier. But if you are looking for a cap for your outdoor lamp post, durability and endurance from wear and tear must be the top priority.
Now here comes the next step: what kind of cap will best suit my purpose?
Basically, there are different types of caps in the market. There are rubber plugs that cost less but lack safety. It can prevent the gas leak pretty well but can not endure any rough treatment and it doesn’t last long.
Then comes the pressurized cups that give you the flexibility to put on and detach at any moment you want. Therefore, you can use different caps on different occasions of your choice. In terms of longevity, these caps will not disappoint you by any means.
Lastly, we have cast an aluminum cap that is the finest cap in terms of safety. There is rubber insulation inside which will prevent the gas leak making the cap safer and more durable.
Place It On the Lamp
Start Off by measuring the lamp post site. And while doing that make sure to leave at least two inches from the bottom of the lamp post. Now the top section can be made of stainless steel or aluminum. But what is more important is that the section has to be threaded for the safety of others. Otherwise, if someone bumps into it, they will surely fall through and hurt themselves.
Using an inner tube of a tire for threading can be a savior for threading the top section.
Now comes installing the wick on the top. But honestly, this is the easiest of all.
So there are different types of lamp wick that require different installation procedures. But there is some common ground to follow. Each lamp cap is compatible with the stand it comes with. So you will have to place the wick in the right spot of the lamp post. After placing the cap on top of the lamp, there will be screws that will need to be tightened up with a screwdriver.
And you are done capping your gas lamp post like a pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Turn On An Outdoor Gas Light?
The first step is to Open the valve. To do so, go to your light taking a flathead screwdriver with you. And go to the valve turning the pit to horizontal from vertical by giving it a quarter turn to release the flow of gas from the burner tip. After that, simply ignite it with a common household lighter. You can adjust the flame too to reduce any blowouts by keeping the valve open down to 75%.
Do Gas Lamp Attract Bugs?
It’s not about the type of lamp that attracts bugs. It’s the type of light that the lamps emit which attracts bugs around them.
Why is The Flame Blowing Out Itself?
Most likely the wick is not allowing the required amount of oxygen. Thus smoldering the wick making the blowout. There might be other reasons as well but this one is the most common one.
What Is A Wind Guard On A Gas Lantern?
A wind guard is an additional cover to protect the flame of the gas lamp in extreme wind. Covering a gas lantern with a wind guard will both protect the flame from wind and gas line destruction caused by the debris.
Conclusion
Capping a lamp post may turn out to be very exciting when you are doing everything by yourself. But we always recommend consulting with a professional first. Because you will be dealing with a gas-powered light. Any uncautious damage to the gas line may cost your life sometimes. But with proper precautions and by following the right method, you can triumph over any threat that comes with capping a gas lamp post.
