Check Your Connections

If you have natural gas appliances, when was the last time you thought about the connector that joins the appliance to the gas line?

Older flexible connectors made of uncoated brass can weaken or crack over time, which could lead to a dangerous and deadly gas leak.

Any uncoated brass gas appliance connector should be replaced immediately with a new stainless steel connector.

To industry knowledge, these dangerous connectors have not been made for more than 25 years, but you might still have one in use on an older appliance, including a clothes dryer, water heater, space heater, or stove.

Although not all uncoated brass connectors have this flaw, it is very difficult to tell which ones do.

• Avoid moving natural gas appliances — stressing connectors can cause them to crack and leak.
• Only a qualified professional should check your connector and replace it.
• Avoid repeated use of cleaning solutions or insect sprays around appliance connectors — these solutions can cause corrosion.
• Do not allow wiring or other objects to touch the connector.
• Connectors should always be replaced whenever an appliance is replaced or moved from its location.