why do i need new pipes for gas reconnection

jky

15 years ago i had my gas supply disconnected because i decided to go all electric.
Now i am thinking about having gas central heating installed, which means i need a reconnection.
I contacted the national grid today to enquire about the cost.
They said it would cost between £600 and £1900 to reconnect as i would need new pipes because the old ones would be dangerous now.
I know im a female but this makes no sense to me .......why would they be dangerous....the lady upstairs has the same pipes!!!
If its a matter of size....why do they have to keep changing them.....is it just to make money out of us.
Can anybody explain to me why the pipes need changing and why it costs so much
Thanks:mad:

Cardew

There are any manner of new regulations on gas supply that have been introduced in the last 15 years. Ventilation, flue, supply etc.

I assume that your pipes are of a narrower diameter than the new regulations demand.

Existing gas customers are not affected! I would get a second opinion on if you really do need to replace existing pipes - ask British Gas.

Vestra

Out of interest really but why did you decide to go all electric before?

jky

Rian1988 wrote: »

Out of interest really but why did you decide to go all electric before?

When i moved in there was no heating
my dad being an electrician got hold of some storage heaters and put them in.

thanks cardew......just all seems a bit of a con to me.

jky

I will ring british gas too .......didnt think of ringing them.....thanks

Gman0365

When you say that the supply was disconnected years ago did someone physically dig up the garden/footpath/road and cut off your supply or was the gas meter just removed and the emergency control valve capped?

Just out of interest, do you and your neighbour upstairs share the same gas service?

jky

They capped it and removed meter....they didnt dig up my gardens.
i dont have gas at the moment so i wouldnt have the same supply as upstairs.....its a maisonette so different property.
This is why i dont understand why pipes need changing.
why cant they just uncap me.
surley that wouldnt cost much

Gman0365

If the gas supply is still live up to the valve that is capped then you simply have to contact a gas supplier of you're choice and ask for a meter to be installed.

I was asking about you're neighbour as you may have whats known as a "dual service". One pipe supplying both properties therefore if they have gas then you in theory should also have a gas supply. I know you say that you have been disconnected but if it was a dual service then they have probably only capped you're supply pipe and not actually physically cut it off.

National Grid will provide you with a quote for a new supply on the basis that the old pipe feeding your property was cut off all those years ago. If that was the case then they would never reconnect what may well be an old steel pipe. They have a rule that a new service pipe would be laid to your property, thats where the big cost is.

Do you know where the old meter was located and can you access the control valve that would have been located near to the meter?

jky

Yep i can see the end of the pipe in the cupboard.
The national grid were the people who gave me the rough quote.
So do you think that means i need to have the road garden etc dug up do they can lay new pipes.
Might be too costly for me if i need all that done as well as everything else.

Gman0365

I'd phone an energy supplier (probably the one you have your electricity through), explain that you once had a gas supply and that you're not sure if the old pipe is still live. They should then contact National Grid and request a "Live/Dead check" to be carried out to determine whether the existing pipe is suitable for a meter to be fitted to. This check shouldn't cost you anything if you do it via you're gas supplier with a view to having a meter installed (they are usually pleased with the extra business!) If the engineer that attends site is able to confirm that the service pipe is still live and is suitable for use then phone the energy supplier back and tell them you want a gas meter to be installed. Again, this generally doesn't cost you anything as the supplier absorbs the cost of fitting the new meter as they will have you as a customer. If they try to charge you for a having only the meter installed then I would contact other suppliers.

If its decided that the pipe is dead and/or its not suitable for you then you would have to contact National Grid to have a new servcie layed up to the property. Unfortunately you dont have much choice when it comes to this and you would really have to pay whatever National Grid quotes you for the work. Its generally a minimum of £500 for a new service but these prices vary between gas transporters and is dependent upon your area of the country.

Hope this helps!

jky

Yep thats helped me alot..
I thought the same.... if it just needs connecting the gas company wouldnt charge as they want my service. Thanks for your help.