Service Gas Pressure too low due to plastic pipe replacement

Colin_London

Having a nightmare. Just had a new Combi boiler installed (along with all the plumbing that goes along with changing to a combi system) and just as they started commissioning the boiler it was found that the incoming gas pressure off the mains is below standard and can't maintain the required pressure when both the boiler and hob are working.

National Grid came out and ruled out the regulator and meter and said it was down to the method of pipe replacement carried out about 7 years ago where they stuffed plastic pipes inside the old metal pipes to avoid the cost of digging them up.

So due to a money saving method I have a gas pressure that is below the required standard.

Currently waiting for them to turn up with an excavator (should have been here at 0900 and my plumber is getting a bit fed up waiting for them) as it sounds like my whole service pipe needs replacing.

Anyone else been in this situation?

I have no direct relationship with NG obviously so can't badger them to hurry up. Have had to take the day off work too.

Will they just dig up my drive and not repair it afterwards? I think the mains is on the other side of the road so what if they have to dig the road as well? How long could this take??? Will my supplier even bother to liase with NG for me?

14Westfield

you can send your plumber home, this is not going to be a half hour job.

If there is low pressure in your part of the Gas network then inserting a 25mm plastic pipe into a 1" steel pipe (rather than replacing the whole lot with 32mm plastic) can cause a further drop in pressure > as you have now found.

The gas network will have to dig up and replace your existing supply pipe all the way back to the main. if the main is in the other side of the road the will often need a road closure notice from the local council - which may take a couple of weeks for the council to process..

As you've said someone has done half a job to save time and money years ago and now its got to be done properly

Colin_London

Nightmare :-(

What's worse is my supply pipe comes up under the stairs so there is no way to replace it in its current location without digging through the foundations of my house! Guess it would have to be rerouted to a new external meter box.

I understand that they have some sort of deburring tool they can run through the pipe to clear blockages and could also unearth the stopcock to see if it isn't fully open ( at least this is what the guy said yesterday). I am not too far off the minimum standard.

Anyway they still haven't turned up and despite a call from my plumber and a call by myself to NGG we have had no callback. Plumber has gone on to other jobs now.

gas4you

If the pressure is ok when just one appliance is on, but cannot be maintained when another is put on, then quite often it is undersized gas pipe work your side of the meter.

daveyjp

Pity the RGI didn't actually check the pressure before starting work on putting in a combi.

chanz4

Its strange, but as its not classed as an emergency job they will turn up once these have been done. The road to your property should be easy with plastic pipeing and inregards to the drive they will just retar the holes

Colin_London

gas4you wrote: »

If the pressure is ok when just one appliance is on, but cannot be maintained when another is put on, then quite often it is undersized gas pipe work your side of the meter.

Not in this case - the pressure was substandard even with just the boiler running, but even worse when the hob was switched on. The emergency NG engineer has measured the incoming pressure and deemed it substandard because of this plastic pipe 'on the cheap' replacement which, apparently, are a known issue The restriction is on the service side of the meter.

Anyway I am fuming at NG after repeated calls not getting any information or callbacks as to what has happened (including the 'system is down' excuse). Even after escalating as a complaint the complaints team have admitted they can't get anyone to phone them back :mad: I guess the contractors fancied a Friday off (which I had to take as leave when I didn't plan to) or didn't want to get wet in the rain.

Have no idea what happens next - have an uncertificated boiler and absolutely no idea when the gas pipe will be sorted.

Colin_London

chanz4 wrote: »

Its strange, but as its not classed as an emergency job they will turn up once these have been done. The road to your property should be easy with plastic pipeing and inregards to the drive they will just retar the holes

Except I don't have a tarred drive, it's blockwork!

I don't believe the service pipe is in piping, it's just a 15m buried steel pipe. If it was an 'easy' replacement then they would have put in a whole new pipe 7 years ago rather than this bodge.

chanz4

Colin_London wrote: »

Except I don't have a tarred drive, it's blockwork!

I don't believe the service pipe is in piping, it's just a 15m buried steel pipe. If it was an 'easy' replacement then they would have put in a whole new pipe 7 years ago rather than this bodge.

Well they may, but it wont be brickwork if any is damaged

withabix

chanz4 wrote: »

Well they may, but it wont be brickwork if any is damaged

Nonsense.

On private property they are obliged to reinstate the existing surface as they find it.

On public streetworks, they are obliged to reinstate to the specification of the Highway Authority, or the standard reinstatement specification for the class of road, which will always be the same or superior to what is there already.

lemontart

a lot of newer boilers seem to require higher pressure or an adjustment of the regulator on the meter - the pressure would have been tested during the mains replacement work when the fitter came in to turn the gas back on to ensure safe and working,

As to the reinstatement of the drive it will be put back as was once works complete.

As others have stated it is not a 30 minute job to carry out, as they need to did then arrange for a team to come out and do the actual relay of your service pipe, once that work is complete arrange for a fitter to attend to purge and relight the gas so at least 3 lots of staff required there alone.

Once works complete then reinstatement will be arranged and that is usually carried out with 5 working days but in the case of block paving it may take a little longer to allow for a proper match of blocks.