Neighbour refuses to fix gas leak

macman

Is she perhaps turning the gas on and not lighting it (rather than a constant leak)? is she elderly, possibly suffering from dementia?

rustysheriff

Thanks everyone, we have had a result!!

I bought a gas detector from amazon for £10 (it worked like a dream). When it went off (within 12 hours of plugging it in!) I called the emergency number and the gas man came out within an hour, the smell had gone by then but he went next door and she reluctantly let him in, where he found a "evacuation level gas leak" he had to shut her supply off and gave her some fan heaters and an electric hob. We popped round later and offered help if she needs it, or even if she needs to pop her dinner in the oven.

She apologised for ignoring us.

Happy days, now I can use my whole house and don't have to worry about getting blown-up while I sleep!!

victor2

Good news. Houses still standing and you can worry less!

rustysheriff

Thanks victor, I O U 1

macman

But will she actually get the source of the leak (you didn't say what it was) fixed, or will she just live on electricity only?

oldskoo1

I moved to a new property and noticed a leak too. I was adamant it was coming from our box outside. Nobody could smell it but me. I called the emergency gas number and the man couldn't smell it and couldn't find a leak. I was adamant and asked him to check again.

Result was he found the smallest leak possible that could register on his meter probe. We saw an intermittent bubbling at the regulator head.

Upshot, he disconnected the gas and left.

After some moaning they came back, different guy from emergency line and sorted it.

They told me if it's internal piping then it's up to me to sort. If it's the street side of the box they will fix.

So I hope for her sake it's street side. They did come in the house with a probe and checked the boiler and under the sink for some reason.

rustysheriff

Looks like the problem may with the pipes that may be in a concrete floor. The gas man said there was mould on the walls and she had no carpets and that her mum owns the house but is in a home. Maybe she is just living there short term so the council don't sell the house to pay for her mums care?
I guess she may not get it fixed at all but as long as there is no gas leaking into our house I have to say I am fairly happy with the outcome.

Thanks again to everyone that gave advice - you are legends!!