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Szeto Plumbing · San Gabriel Valley

Replacing gas appliance connectors

The gas line behind your stove, dryer or water heater can age out.

Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–7 PM · San Gabriel Valley

Mon–Sat, 8:30 AM–7 PM

Call or text (310) 628-9399

Kitchens, baths, heaters, main lines

Updated · 3 min read

Short answer

The connector is the short gas line between the wall shutoff and an appliance. SoCalGas advises replacing semi-rigid aluminum or copper tubing connectors with approved flexible ones. Kinked, corroded or very old connectors should be replaced too.

On this page
  1. What SoCalGas recommends
  2. Where to check
  3. How replacement works
  4. Signs of a problem
  5. Common questions

What SoCalGas recommends

SoCalGas's home energy and safety guide advises replacing any semi-rigid aluminum or copper tubing appliance connector with an approved flexible connector.

The same guide says connectors should not pass through floors, walls or ceilings, where they can be damaged.

Replace now: Bare copper or aluminum tubing; Kinked or crushed; Runs through a wall or floor; No shutoff at appliance. Typically fine: Coated flexible connector; Right length, no sharp bends; Shutoff valve at wall; Free of corrosionReplace now• Bare copper or aluminum tubing• Kinked or crushed• Runs through a wall or floor• No shutoff at applianceTypically fine• Coated flexible connector• Right length, no sharp bends• Shutoff valve at wall• Free of corrosion
Checking the connector behind an appliance.

Where to check

Pull the range forward carefully, look behind the dryer, and look at the line feeding the water heater and furnace.

Many SGV homes date from the 1950s and 1960s, with Monterey Park's median at 1963. Appliances there have been swapped several times, and the connectors not always.

How replacement works

Close appliance shutoff then Disconnect old connector then Fit new connector and fittings then Leak test every joint then Relight and check flame1Close appliance shutoff2Disconnect old connector3Fit new connector and fittings4Leak test every joint5Relight and check flame
A connector swap, start to finish.

The new connector is sized to the appliance and length needed, with proper fittings. Every joint is tested with leak solution before the appliance goes back.

Signs of a problem

If you smell gas strongly, leave and call SoCalGas from outside before anything else.

Common questions

Can I reuse a connector when moving a stove?

Makers generally say no. Fit a new connector when an appliance is replaced or moved.

What length connector should I use?

The shortest that reaches without strain or sharp bends.

Do dryers need a special connector?

They use a gas appliance connector rated for the dryer's input. Length and fittings vary.