should cupboards with gas meters smell of gas at all?

andrew-b

Hi,

Our gas meter is in the larder in the kitchen. When i open the larder door i notice a slight (but not overpowering) smell of gas. It seems to smell more when it's colder - though this could just be coincidence and depend on when i last open the larder door.

On closer investigation i noticed if i put my finger on the test point on the gas meter where the pipe leaves the meter on the consumer side when i remove my finger it smells of the gas which leads me to suspect that's where the smell is coming from. As far as i can tell no other joints on the meter or pipe or stopcock leave the same smell on my finger. Is this normal?

I turned off the gas and checked that the test point was fully screwed in before turning on again but it seems fully tightened to me.

My partner reckons it's normal as at her parents there is also a slight smell of gas near their meter...but i'm not convinced.

Andy

jackieb

Our gas meter is outside, under the kitchen window. When we were outside or the window was open we often got a whiff of gas. Turned out that there was a leak in one of the pipes going into the box. I can't say I smell it since it's been fixed. Get it looked at to be on the safe side.

jamstaruk

i reckon its normal but no harm in calling them out thats what they are there for better safe than sorry they may tell you when you call thats theres no cause for concern and that should ease your worries

rygon

Best to give them a shout...i wouldnt try and tighten it up yourself because a) i doubt you have spark proof tools and b) if it did shear off you could put yourself it more danger.

Cypher

you can buy leak detector spray

Spray this around all the joints etc. If there are any leaks the spray will bubble up to indicate a problem.

andrew-b

rygon wrote:

Best to give them a shout...i wouldnt try and tighten it up yourself because a) i doubt you have spark proof tools and b) if it did shear off you could put yourself it more danger.

yes...which is why i double checked the gas was turned off at the main valve before i touched it and didn't put much pressure on the screwdriver. It does seem extremely unlikely though that i'd have got a spark between a screwdriver and brass screwhead and even more so because i used an insulated screwdriver (electrical sort with insulation along the shaft). As a chemistry graduate i'm well aware of the dangers of explosions! Even if i'd caused a spark the gas-to-air concentration would have been so low to not have mattered. But i wouldn't suggest anyone else test the theory. Best to know your limitations and back out when your unsure.

Incidentally, it seems a little daft to me to house gas meters and electric meters and electrical consumer units in the same cupboard. If a major leak occured from the gas and say the consumer unit rcd/mcbs trips (one of light bulbs blew yesterday and the lighting circuit mcb tripped) you might not have a cupboard left anymore!

But yes i agree it would be safest to get it checked out to be on the safe side so i'll give them a call soon Will it cost me anything? I have a feeling i read somewhere it would if it was more than 30 minutes labour?

Thanks all

Andy

andrew-b

Cypher wrote:

you can buy leak detector spray

Spray this around all the joints etc. If there are any leaks the spray will bubble up to indicate a problem.

Any reason not to use fairy liquid instead ...in the same way as you would to test for a puncture in a bicycle tyre inner tube?

Andy

derrick

andrew-b wrote:

But yes i agree it would be safest to get it checked out to be on the safe side so i'll give them a call soon Will it cost me anything? I have a feeling i read somewhere it would if it was more than 30 minutes labour?

From HERE

If you smell gas, call free on 0800 111 999
Don't create a flame or operate electrical switches.
Do put out flames, open doors and windows, keep people away from the area and turn the gas off at the control valve.


Will not cost anything for Transco to come out, but they will not repair, if leaking they will turn off the gas and tell you to get a Corgi engineer in.

derrick

andrew-b wrote:

Any reason not to use fairy liquid instead ...in the same way as you would to test for a puncture in a bicycle tyre inner tube?

Andy

Because of the make up, the leak detector will not cause corrosion and is specifically designed for the job.

Syman

transco ( or national grid as it is now called) will repiar a leak if it is on thier side of the meter. that is the incoming pipe leading to the meter and nopt the pipe from the meter to your applianses.

super_reds

I work for N Grid/Transco give them a call they've been out to us a number of times and have always been very helpful and quick to get out.