Gas Pipe coming into house rusty

Okey00001

FreeBear said:

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.

Thanks FreeBear and QrizB.  The links were extremely helpful.

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 glad to hear it turned out ok. Can I ask you if there were any costs involved for the call out?

macman

There is no charge for the emergency call-out service.

FreeBear

macman said:

There is no charge for the emergency call-out service.

No charge to the consumer.

Had a bunch of muppets digging a trench for a new storm drain along my road. Told them to be careful of my gas pipe and pointed out the location.... They still managed to cut through the pipe.... Cadnet were out within the hour to make safe and reconnect my supply. The muppets got a ~£1500 for their efforts, and it wasn't the first time they had cut through a pipe.

jefaz07

Okey00001 said:

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.

Depending on network the gas meter is not the property of the Gas Network. It’s a supplier issue if a faulty meter is present. 

macman

Meters are owned by the meter asset company, which may or may not be the supplier.

Eldi_Dos

There is more than likely a monthly management meeting with representatives from utilities,road authorities,LA and contract holders to discuss performance, and crews making more than acceptable level of damage would be picked up.

Although I  have noticed they tend to reappear later on with a different polo shirt on, especially if work levels pick up.

Okey00001

The engineer turned up and checked - all good.  It turns out that the rusted, corroded pipe is the old one which is not in use. He showed the newer pipe that replaced it.  Learned a few things and happy with how efficient and quick the service was.

Thanks again, for the emergency links posted here.

FreeBear

Okey00001 said:

The engineer turned up and checked - all good.  It turns out that the rusted, corroded pipe is the old one which is not in use. He showed the newer pipe that replaced it.

I had one of those rusty old pipes under the floor in my extension. It had been capped off many, many years ago, but it was still connected to the gas main out in the road. Poking around under the floor one day, and detected the faint whiff of gas. Gas board came out to investigate, disconnected the pipe from the gas main cracking the main in the process and also cut off my neighbour in the process.

Just because a pipe is capped, doesn't mean that it isn't "live".

Okey00001

FreeBear said:

Okey00001 said:

The engineer turned up and checked - all good.  It turns out that the rusted, corroded pipe is the old one which is not in use. He showed the newer pipe that replaced it.

I had one of those rusty old pipes under the floor in my extension. It had been capped off many, many years ago, but it was still connected to the gas main out in the road. Poking around under the floor one day, and detected the faint whiff of gas. Gas board came out to investigate, disconnected the pipe from the gas main cracking the main in the process and also cut off my neighbour in the process.

Just because a pipe is capped, doesn't mean that it isn't "live".

Well, that is interesting indeed! Noted this, thank you.

If they had capped the pipe, it should have been done at the base of the pipe so the gas would not go up into it but directly into the new pipes . I don't know why they did not remove the old pipe completely as it blocks the meter. So, it could be 'live' as you mentioned.