Summary of procedures for removing LP gas-related equipment with only the piping and equipment remaining

12/18/2025

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Hello everyone, this is DIY Renova.

(For used homes, all electrification, and self-renovation)

When you buy a second-hand house, you often find yourself in situations like, ``Even though the gas contract has already been canceled, there are traces of the gas meter and pipes left on the wall,'' ``The water heater and gas stove have been removed, but I'm afraid of the pipes and the main valve,'' and ``It seems like this is an area where LP gas piping is concentrated.''

In conclusion, in cases like this, safety is not guaranteed just because it appears to be stopped. In particular, LP gas is heavier than air and tends to accumulate in low places if it leaks, so it is not compatible with self-dismantling (reference: Chiba Prefecture LP Gas Association's explanation for consumers).

In this article, I will summarize the steps to legally and cost-effectively remove an LP gas facility with only the remaining piping and equipment as a general theory without personal information, and summarize it to the point where there are no questions left.
*I will write about DIY tips, but I will not write about ``how to DIY the gas installation itself.'' This is an area that is prohibited under Japanese rules (see below).

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Table of Contents

Prerequisites to keep in mind first

Not all LP gas equipment is your property.

There are two main types of LP gas equipment: supply-side equipment and home-use equipment. In Japan, there are cases where equipment owned and managed by LP gas companies remains, and if they are removed or disposed of without permission, it will cause trouble (Reference: Explanation of LP gas sales guidelines and rules for unauthorized removal) Lawzilla｜A legal database that will help you get lost.）。

さらに「集中（小規模導管）」タイプだと、あなたの敷地に“近所へ行く配管”が通っている可能性がゼロではありません。ここを誤って触ると、近隣トラブル＋安全リスクの両方を踏みます（参考：ガス配管トラブルが他人地中配管で起きやすい点 public comment）。

Things you should never do (Important)

For the following three, the correct answer is ``don't touch'' even when doing self-renovation.

"Cut/remove piping/open caps"
"Disassemble the area around the main valve and meter"
"Dig the ground and search for buried pipes"

The reason is simple: there are areas where connection work (installation/removal) of LP gas equipment requires a nationally qualified ``Liquefied Petroleum Gas Equipment Engineer'' (Reference: Warning leaflet) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry/Municipal government alert Niigata prefecture official website）。

The most dangerous pattern is, ``It's okay because the gas isn't coming to your house anymore, right?'' Even if the contract is terminated, gas may remain somewhere in the pipes, may be connected to another system (neighborhood), or may be owned by another company.

Now on to the main topic: Shortest route to removal (overall picture)

The flow is like this.

“Record” the current situation (photos, location, situation)
Identify the “supplier” (if you don’t know, use the association)
Request “on-site confirmation (survey)”
Determine the “range of separation/removal” (how far to remove/where to remain)
Construction implementation (obtain proof of removal/photo)
Then decide to dispose of/sell the equipment.

I will proceed in order below.

Step 1: Record the current situation (this is the most cost-effective)

If you do at least these things before calling the contractor, the estimate and construction will be faster. What you can safely do with DIY is "recording."

Outdoors: Where the pipes come out of the wall, traces of meters, regulator-like equipment, and where the pipes go.
Indoors: Traces of gas valves around the kitchen, presence of pipes falling under the floor (visible area only)
Neighborhood: Is there likely to be any piping, manholes, or boxes across the property? (It's OK to guess, but don't touch them.)

The key is not to ``list the things you want to remove,'' but to create ``materials that show the positional relationship of the things you currently have.'' Setting the date to remain on the photo will help later.

It's simple here, but your ability to avoid trouble later on is on a whole other level.

Step 2: How to search when you don’t know the supplier (this is the crux)

If you have already canceled your contract and don't know which gas company you are using, it is realistic to follow the steps below.

2-1 First, “introduce/consult” with the local LP gas association

Each prefecture has an LP gas association and a contact point for inquiries. For example, in Chiba Prefecture, contact information for the association is publicly available (Reference: Chiba Prefecture LP Gas Association, Public Interest Incorporated Association) Chiba Lotte Marines）。
When asking the association, it is safe to say something like this, rather than saying ``I have decided on the name of the business.''

"I acquired a used home, but the LP gas equipment (piping and meter remains) remains."
"There is a possibility of a centralized piping district and there are concerns that neighboring pipes may be running through the property."
“I would like to know the identity of the current supplier and the consultation desk for removal.”

Associations tend to act as "gateways for third parties," so they are more convenient to use when the direct business operator is unsure.

2-2 Next, search for “nameplates/labels of equipment installed on the premises”

メーター・調整器・警告ラベルに会社名が残っていることがあります。ただし、無理に触らず「撮影して拡大」で十分。

2-3 If you are still unsure, “just ask the neighborhood (neighborhood association/neighbours) for information.”

If you feel that there may be pipes running through your property, it is effective to gather information before construction begins. Don't touch it here either.

Step 3: Is a field survey necessary? Is it a disadvantage to have scaffolding?

Conclusion: On-site surveys are likely to be “necessary”

It is difficult to confirm safety only on paper, especially in cases where the piping may be centralized or may straddle different premises. It would be quicker if there was a piping diagram, but it may be difficult to determine whether the route is passing through another person's land just by looking at the diagram (Reference: Points to note that cannot be seen from the piping diagram alone) public comment）。

If there is scaffolding

Scaffolding itself can either ``get in the way'' or ``make work easier.'' What matters is whether the merchant has access.

Do not touch the meter marks/pipes inside the scaffolding.
A contract that does not allow the contractor to be placed on the scaffold in the first place (as a client, I refuse)
In this case, the removal work may not proceed.

When calling to request removal, it is recommended that you inform them first that there is scaffolding and work on the scaffolding is not possible (or consultation is required). This will first determine the area that is possible from the ground and the area that requires scaffolding.

Step 4: Understand the rules for “who should remove the items”

It's easy to lose money if you don't know this.

4-1 In principle, the removal of supply equipment will be carried out by the “current sales business”

In the context of optimizing LP gas transactions, it has been established that, in principle, current sales businesses should remove supply equipment without delay (Reference: LP Gas Association's Q&A, 1-week concept in principle) KHK/Organization of national public comment materials public comment）。
In addition, several organization materials clearly explain that ``removal of supply equipment by another company without permission'' can be considered a problem as unauthorized removal (Reference: Explanation of rules prohibiting unauthorized removal) Lawzilla｜A legal database that will help you get lost.）。

In other words, it is not necessarily legally safe to say, ``I'll ask another company to take everything because it seems unscrupulous.''
If you want to proceed safely, the basic idea is to first identify the owner and current sales company of the supply equipment and then secure a route for its removal.

4-2 There are exceptional cases where it takes time.

Small-scale conduit supply (so-called centralized piping) is cited as an example that is physically difficult to remove (Reference: Examples of cases where removal is difficult) KHK）。
Concerns about whether your neighbor's pipes might be running through your house can come into play here.

Step 5: Can I make a request to “Kurashi no Market, etc.”?

The conclusion is that it depends on the content of the work.

5-1 Minimum requirements for the person receiving the work

There is a system in place where people with the necessary qualifications, such as ``liquefied petroleum gas equipment engineer,'' are in charge of the necessary work.
Ownership and removal authority of supply equipment is clear (do not remove without permission)

There have been repeated public and quasi-public warnings that a qualification is required for gas connection work (installation/removal) (Reference: Warning that a qualification is required) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.）。

5-2 Recommended way of thinking (emphasis on cost performance)

“Disconnection/removal related to supply equipment” = first the association route or the current sales company route
“Removal of completely dead indoor pipes after disconnection” = Request to a qualified equipment contractor/demolition company all at once
This two-stage approach makes it easy to balance legality and cost.

Step 6: Can I sell the gas stove/water heater? (If not already connected to LP gas)

Here, "materials" and "construction" are separated.

If you own the equipment itself (stove/water heater), it is generally possible to sell or transfer it.
However, if there is no "evidence that the removal was carried out properly," buyers will be concerned.

So, in practical terms, there will be fewer problems if you have the following items in place.

Confirmation that “separation has been completed on-site” (verbal is fine, but preferably in writing or email)
Photos of the removal work (original installation status, pipe ends treated for safety after removal)

This will give you peace of mind when selling to the seller, and the price will not fall easily.
*The safety treatment referred to here is something that is done by a ``company''. This is not a story about you touching up the plumbing.

Estimate request template (you can copy and paste as is)

When contacting a vendor, association, or retailer, including this information will speed up the conversation.

"Acquired a used house. The LP gas contract has already been terminated, but the pipes, meters, and equipment remain."
"There is a possibility of centralized piping (small-scale conduit), and there are concerns that the piping to the neighborhood runs through the site."
“Request: Removal of gas stove, removal of water heater, removal of pipes (please consult on-site to determine scope of removal)”
“Scaffolding is present/Work is not possible on scaffolding (or consultation required)”
"Requested construction period: I would like confirmation by when the separation will be completed before demolition and exterior wall construction."

Request timing (according to self-renovation process)

Even if you plan to go all-electric, it is important to remove LP gas as soon as possible. The reason for this is that as the demolition progresses, ``the piping becomes less visible and becomes more dangerous.''

This is the recommended order.

Before the walls and floors are seriously destroyed during demolition
Before closing the base of the exterior wall or waterproofing (breathable waterproof sheet, etc.)
Before backfilling or pouring the dirt floor (because buried pipes may become entangled)

If you have scaffolding, it's best to decide in advance whether work on the outside walls is necessary or not, so that the process doesn't get disrupted.

Prepare an escape route in case of trouble

If no business operator comes forward or refuses to respond to the removal request, it is faster to approach the public consultation route than to fight on your own.

The materials also indicate the option of consulting with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry) or prefectures (Reference: Organized within the Consumer Affairs Agency materials) Cabinet Office）。
First of all, it is realistic to start with the prefectural LP gas association → the government as necessary (reference: Chiba Prefecture LP Gas Association window) Chiba Lotte Marines）。

Convenient things to have

It is not a ``tool for DIY construction'' but a ``tool for safely recording and checking.'' This is also where shopping is less unpleasant.

"Headlights (both hands free)"
"Inspection mirror (easy to take pictures of blind spots)"
"Cut-resistant gloves (prevents injuries around outdoor piping)"
"Flammable gas detector (for determining if it's just your imagination when you smell gas. After determining, be sure to consult a specialist)"
"Curing tape + oil-based pen (leave 'which is which' along with the photo)"

FAQ

“If the contract is suspended, can I cut the pipes?”

No. This is because in addition to gas construction qualification issues, central piping and ownership issues may be involved (Reference: Qualifications are required. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry./Unauthorized removal rules Lawzilla｜A legal database that will help you get lost.）。

"I don't want to contact a scary company. Can I just use another company?"

It is dangerous to skip "who owns the supply equipment." It is safe to consult with the association's contact point first, sort things out through a third-party route, and then proceed (reference: Association contact point) Chiba Lotte Marines）。

“Is it necessary to be present during an on-site investigation?”

It depends on the case, but if there is a possibility of centralized piping or cross-site piping, it is better to assume that there will be a witness (or at least a minimum on-site confirmation) (Reference: It is difficult to judge based on piping diagrams alone) public comment）。

Summary (If in doubt, just stick to this)

I hope this is of some help.

"Don't touch, don't cut, don't dig"
First, “record”, then “association → business operator identification → on-site confirmation”
The basic idea is that supply equipment should be removed by the owner (current sales company).
Construction work does not exceed the scope of qualified personnel (some areas require qualifications even for removal)
If you leave “evidence (photos, contact records)” after removal, the sale and disposal will be smoother.

If you keep this in mind, you will have a high probability of avoiding land mines such as ``accidents caused by accidentally touching gas equipment that is supposed to be off'', ``damage to neighboring pipes and disputes'', and ``disputes over property rights''.