anyone experienced with gas issues?

willing2learn_3

Hi everyone

I know no one can give out advice really on such an issue - but your opinion will be really appreciated.

I've just left my mother's new home and I'm a little worried. I've been with her all day and there's been no problems but worrying now, probably unduly but that's me.

She's moved into a new house and she has a gas boiler, gas central heating and a little gas fire in the lounge. During the day i often hear a noise and it seems some sort of fire lights up behind the gas fire - even though she doesn't use the gas fire.

I think it's some sort of pilot light. Today I attempted to light the gas fire but I'm worried that all i might have done is put out the fire behind it - i didn't see it go out but all day i didn't hear it as usual. A neighbour later came in and showed us how to light the fire - it was complicated and they used to have the same problem as they have the same heating - so the fire was lit, but then turned out.

What i'm worried about is that mum says the heating is still not on - although the boiler feels warm upstairs. She's not cold, but i'm worried that if that pilot light is out at the back of the fire whether this could cause a carbon monoxide leak.

there is no smell of gas. i know you can't smell carbon monoxide.

My mum insisted that no one is called out today - that she will wait for the landllord to get back to her, but i'm worried.

I know no one can give advice without seeing this but wondered on opoinions....as i have no choice but to leave it on my mother's wishes....would like to sleep tonight.

thanks

The_Economist

Is it a back boiler system?

SYNERGY

willing2learn wrote: »

Hi everyone

I know no one can give out advice really on such an issue - but your opinion will be really appreciated.

I've just left my mother's new home and I'm a little worried. I've been with her all day and there's been no problems but worrying now, probably unduly but that's me.

She's moved into a new house and she has a gas boiler, gas central heating and a little gas fire in the lounge. During the day i often hear a noise and it seems some sort of fire lights up behind the gas fire - even though she doesn't use the gas fire.

I think it's some sort of pilot light. Today I attempted to light the gas fire but I'm worried that all i might have done is put out the fire behind it - i didn't see it go out but all day i didn't hear it as usual. A neighbour later came in and showed us how to light the fire - it was complicated and they used to have the same problem as they have the same heating - so the fire was lit, but then turned out.

What i'm worried about is that mum says the heating is still not on - although the boiler feels warm upstairs. She's not cold, but i'm worried that if that pilot light is out at the back of the fire whether this could cause a carbon monoxide leak.

there is no smell of gas. i know you can't smell carbon monoxide.

My mum insisted that no one is called out today - that she will wait for the landllord to get back to her, but i'm worried.

I know no one can give advice without seeing this but wondered on opoinions....as i have no choice but to leave it on my mother's wishes....would like to sleep tonight.

thanks

As Economist said it appears your mum has a back boiler. ie what looks like a conventional gas fire with a boiler behind it that supplies both central heating and heats the hot water cylinder, ( although the boiler feels warm upstairs ) what you may think is the boiler is more likley the hot water cylinder.

It is possible, that in trying to light the fire that you may have turned out the boiler pilot light.

If you have, don't worry, you haven't caused any harm and your mum is in no danger, so sleep well.

Most boilers that have pilot lights have a particular sequence of pushing, turning and holding in a knob for a specific time to light the pilot.

Many pilot ignition systems on back boilers are under the gas fire and consequently neither easy to see nor obvious what they do.

If you are round at your mums tomorrow, have a look through her paperwork, or in the gas cupboard, boiler details should be left and accessible at the property.

Failing that have a word with neighbours who have the same system ref. re-lighting the boiler pilot light, if they don't know you may have to wait until the landlord shows you.

Don't worry if your mum finds that the hot water at the taps start to run cold, this will be because the back boiler also heats the water.

Hope this puts your mind at rest.

willing2learn_3

Thanks The_Economist and Synergy

Thanks so much - yes it fits the description of a back boiler. Everything you describe fits Synergy and it's been confirmed also by a relative who i managed to reach who works with gas (lives far away though).

I will try to re-light the pilot tomorrow. There is no paperwork in the new house. Hopefully the landlord will return the call soon.

It didn't help today as I had my grandmother sat there saying only a man should be looking at this stuff and panicking like mad - :rotfl:and my mother refusing to call anyone out to help. Grandmother overpanicking, mother under panicking....me trying to maintain sanity :eek:

I'm the only child and having to provide a lot of support following my father's sudden passing two years ago. Doing my best.....really appreciate your time! thanks!

SYNERGY

willing2learn wrote: »

Thanks The_Economist and Synergy

Thanks so much - yes it fits the description of a back boiler. Everything you describe fits Synergy and it's been confirmed also by a relative who i managed to reach who works with gas (lives far away though).

I will try to re-light the pilot tomorrow. There is no paperwork in the new house. Hopefully the landlord will return the call soon.

It didn't help today as I had my grandmother sat there saying only a man should be looking at this stuff and panicking like mad - :rotfl:and my mother refusing to call anyone out to help. Grandmother overpanicking, mother under panicking....me trying to maintain sanity :eek:

I'm the only child and having to provide a lot of support following my father's sudden passing two years ago. Doing my best.....really appreciate your time! thanks!

..............................................................................................
Answers in reverse order:

You appear to be doing a great job and doing the best is all we can ever do.

Send grandma round to me and I'll show her five grandaughters with broken fingernails, blood blisters and boiler suits. :eek:

Oldest twelve, youngest two. :j I'm a great believer in the difference of the sexes but that both are capable of everything. :cool:

Re-lighting it:

A torch may be handy.

Under the gas fire, you may find a panel you have to lift away, (this usually has boiler re-lighting instructions on a label on the reverse) to access the back boiler pilot controls, but may have gone missing !

In many instances you will see some or all of the following, (1) a glass window to observe the pilot light, (2) a small knob that you have to push to create the spark to ignite the pilot light, (3) a knob that you have to turn and hold for a specified time which initially provides gas to the pilot, and when released after the specified period still provides gas to the pilot as long as it is lit.

On some boilers knob 3 performs the functions of both 2 and 3.

Hope this helps.

There should be some info on the gas fire etc such as Baxi XXYZ which may enable you to do a ' Google' .

t0rt0ise

I have one of these old back boilers.. I have to hold in the larger grey knob and keep pressing the other smaller one which sparks. When the pilot is lit, I hold the grey knob in for 15 or so seconds and then let go and the light stays lit. And that's it. It's really easy and you can't go wrong. If it doesn't light then the gas is off so no leaking.

C_Mababejive

The "knobs" could be one of several colours and shapes/modes of operation depending on the type of gas valve fitted to the appliance..it could be

Grey round press button

Red and white square buttons

Brown circular twiddly knob

Blue Circular twiddly knob

Metal circular push button

Erm..and those are just the common ones..!

See clip off cover for instructions...dont worry,you wont blow yourself up by failing..

bengasman

willing2learn wrote: »

... There is no paperwork in the new house...

By law, a landlord MUST supply a "landlord's gas safety certificate" to the tenant.
Backboilers are open flued systems and can be very dangerous if they are not maintained properly.
The fact that the landlord failed to supply said certificate is very worrying.