Aluminum Tubing Gas Lines On Water Heaters Are A Safety Concern
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Building jurisdictions may allow aluminum tubing to be used provided that the gas supply is not considered corrosive to the material. There are millions of water heaters and furnaces that have aluminum tubing and they have worked fine. To know if the gas being supplied is ok, just call the local gas company or a qualified plumbing contractor.
Tubing may crack at the fitting connections
A second concern about rigid aluminum tubing is that when bumped or hit, then it may crack at the fitting / connection areas where there is a lot of stress from the compression fittings.
Easy safety fix or upgrade
If the gas is too corrosive, then replace the tubing with flexible stainless steel coated tubing is suggested.
Remember
Do not use the same flexible gas connector when moving the water heater from one location to another; or if replacing the old appliance (like water heaters and stoves) with a new one. You should use a new gas connector for safety.
- Most flexible connectors are intended to be installed only once and are also not designed for repeated bending and flexing.
- Age and repeated flexing or bending can cause metal fatigue and connector failure.
Flexible connectors must be protected from physical damage and are not allowed to pass through any walls, floors, ceilings or appliance housings.
Who to consult? Plumbers and qualified handymen.DIY home owners can change out their water heater gas line themselves. Plumbers and qualified handymen can handle this type of work easily and quickly.
Additional Resources
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The "Leaning Tower of Pisa" is a great attraction, but it's not the case for a leaning water heater.
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Water heater pans provide protection for the floor but need to have a proper drain hooked to them.
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What is considered a safe temperature for your water heater to be set at. Go look at your water heater and see if it is set at a safe temperature.
