Meter & Equipment Safety

Equipment Safety and Maintenance

Natural gas lines typically run from a gas main in your street or road to the meter attached to your home. A line from the meter runs into your home and extends to your natural gas-fired appliances.

Greater Minnesota Gas is responsible for maintaining and repairing the service line, the regulator, and the meter itself. You are responsible for maintaining the line from the meter to your home (both above and below ground) and the line that extends to your natural gas-fired appliances.

Gas piping requires proper maintenance to keep it functioning correctly and to prevent corrosion and leakage.

Regular Inspections

We recommend you contact a heating and plumbing contractor to locate, inspect, and repair your gas piping periodically. Buried piping must be inspected for corrosion or leaks. Regular inspections keep your underground gas piping functioning properly, insuring continuous service.

Gas Appliance Connector Safety

Gas connectors need to be inspected regularly and replaced if damaged. Certain types of flexible connectors manufactured between 1970 and 1980 may fail over time and need to be replaced.

Don’t replace connectors yourself. Only a qualified professional should check your connector and replace it if needed.

After disconnecting gas appliances, always remove the gas connectors and plug and cap the fuel line. It’s a good idea to replace flexible connectors once every ten years.

Winter Safety – Clear the Snow and Ice

Our Minnesota winters can lead to ice and snow accumulation around your natural gas meter, pipes, and appliance vents. Clear away snow and ice to prevent safety issues.

  • Maintain a clear path to and from the meter.
  • Check to ensure melting snow is not dripping on the meter from the roof.
  • Carefully shovel around the meter; do not use a snowblower near meter or piping 
  • Please remove snow by lightly brushing with a broom or remove snow by hand around the meter 

FOR NATURAL GAS RELATED EMERGENCIES CALL 888-931-3411

Call Before You Dig

Are you utilizing the Gopher State One Call 811 system? You must call in locates at least two business days prior to doing any digging on your property. By following this important step, you will prevent service interruption for both you and your neighbors.

 

Safety Tip

Always leave at least 18 inches of clearance around your gas furnace & water heater, and at least 6 inches around gas stoves and clothes dryers.