Gas Pipe coming into house rusty

prepareathome

Does anyone know who I should contact to have the gas pipe coming into my properly (before the meter) checked.  I was tidying side of house earlier today, moved my bins and noticed that the pipe that comes up from underground and goes into my wall where meter is inside, is looking very rusty. and that side of house gets the worst of the weather so think it's best to get it checked out asap.  Usually just move bins out and back and admit never look at pipe.  I am in England and not sure if its Transco or has it changed to something else?    Thanks

QrizB

prepareathome said:

Does anyone know who I should contact to have the gas pipe coming into my properly (before the meter) checked.

Your local gas distribution operator:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/finding-your-energy-supplier-or-network-operator

FreeBear

https://www.energynetworks.org/operating-the-networks/whos-my-network-operator - There is a map that you can use to show who your gas distribution operator is. If you suspect the pipe is leaking, ring 0800 111 999 and someone will be out within hours to check.

If the pipe is heavily corroded where it emerges from the ground, there is a good chance that it is even worse underground. I dug up an old iron gas pipe earlier in the year, and it had rusted through in a few spots. Fortunately, the pipe had been disconnected from the gas main some 20+ years ago, so wasn't a danger.

prepareathome

Thanks everyone - no leak so will contact in the morning, now I know how rusty it is I won't wait till Monday. 

jefaz07

They will raise a check for safety. A lot of pipes look very rusty but are perfectly fine. 

MWT

The pipes are quite thick, surface rust is not a problem, but never any harm in alerting them so they can form their own opinion, but if there is no leak then they are likely to do nothing immediately just use the information to inform the scheduling of their general maintenance and replacement programme.

alsa1

I had the same issue with a pipe that had a lot of visible rust, it was also a property that was empty for years, but when the engineer came to fit a new meter he said it was fine. 

prepareathome

Engineer has been out and checked the pipe above and below ground and said rust is not right through and its safe, he did seem to give it a good examination.   Also said our area is due within next 12 months to have all gas pipes replaced with plastic and pipe should last till then but advised we do keep an eye on it and if we feel rust is eating through to call them back, also if they don't replace the pipe within the next 12 months definitely to call again so it can be re-access.  Obviously told if we smell gas to call the emergency number - I just called the general number this morning and they were out within 4 hours.  

MWT

All as I expected then, hopefully you are reassured.

prepareathome

MWT said:

All as I expected then, hopefully you are reassured.

Yes thanks 

Okey00001

prepareathome said:

Engineer has been out and checked the pipe above and below ground and said rust is not right through and its safe, he did seem to give it a good examination.   Also said our area is due within next 12 months to have all gas pipes replaced with plastic and pipe should last till then but advised we do keep an eye on it and if we feel rust is eating through to call them back, also if they don't replace the pipe within the next 12 months definitely to call again so it can be re-access.  Obviously told if we smell gas to call the emergency number - I just called the general number this morning and they were out within 4 hours.  

I'm pleased I checked this website. It has helped me with the same situation with our gas meter. I am waiting for engineer now.