I am finishing a basement, and moving some wiring and pipe around.

I need to remove the straps off a long gas line for a moment. It will likely drop/sag the line about 2". I would do what I need to do and then resecure the pipe to the joists in the same manner using new straps at new locations along the bottom of the joists.

There are a few joints along that span of pipe that will sag for a few minutes while I work.

Am I risking causing a leak doing this?
When a gas line is installed, is it usually done without strapping until completion?



Edited 3 times.

not likely..
no..

I don't like to place any undue stress upon threaded , or flared connections.
I'd probably cut a support out of a piece of PVC pipe, and cut a notch in the end for the pipe to rest in while the required work was being performed.
Overkill ? Probably, but I wouldn't worry about whether I had caused a slight leak in the piping.

Are older joints more prone to be weak, leak or easily damaged? This is like 50 year old piping.

If it leaks, then it was already leaking before you started. Unless you remove all the strapping over a long length it will not sag that much.