Water inside gas prepayment (card) meter. How to get it properly fixed?

alanamyles

We have an ongoing (3+ years) problem with the card prepayment gas meter. In adverse weather (heavy rain, snow), water gets INSIDE the meter, and the prepayment card cannot be read.

The meter is attached to the side of the house, a couple of feet above ground level, inside a box with a door which uses one of those plastic keys to open.

At first, the problem was likely due to the door of the meter box fitting badly. It took several months for the council to Repair it (and then, only when it came off completely during a storm, and after several call outs from British gas!). The box was not replaced, instead the door was screwed in more firmly.

All seemed ok since last winter. Now the problem is back with a vengeance! Inside the box us dry, but the card slot is wet and the machine cannot read the card.

I've had to call British has to come out twice since October to fix it. Both times, the engineer blew the water away with a straw and put the gas back on using the credit on my card. The last time, I asked why it was happening. Engineer said somehow water was getting into the system, nothing to worry about, just blow the slot if it happens again. 

Shortly after, we had the annual gas safety check. I mentioned it again, and also that the boiler would sometimes cut out. Again,  I'm told it's nothing to worry about. 

Tonight the meter has broken again. It's full of water, blowing and attempting to dry is doing nothing. The meter us constantly beeping, screen flashing incoherent messages. 

I need to get this fixed properly, especially as the water will likely start freezing (as has happened before) and two of my children have disabilities. 

We're in council housing, supplier is British Gas.

What do I need to do to get thus property sorted out?

SAC2334

smart prepayment meter is an obvious choice. no cards or slots

QrizB

If you can get the meter dry, can you then cover it with a large freezer bag to keep the rain out?

EssexHebridean

I’d second the idea of “something” to cover the slot - even a strip of tape might do the job? Also perhaps a degree of trying to think ahead as a short term fix - if you’ve had a few dry days and you know it’s likely to read the card OK can you top up ahead of when you usually would - running a higher balance might at least mean that you don’t get caught ending up with no gas if there are several days when you can’t top up. Obviously though both of these things are simply a stop-gap though - a meter change is the obvious long term solution.

alanamyles

Engineer is here now, they're going to replace with smart meters. 

I've noticed that there the pipe attaches to the meter and wall has putty around it. Half of the putty has fallen off, and is wet. The pipe is green and rusting. Is it relevant?

The outside of the meter is dry. Water doesn't seem to be getting in from the outside any more, the cupboard is dry inside. I could try covering it as a preventative measure, but not sure that's the solution needed IYSWIM?

QrizB

alanamyles said:

Engineer is here now, they're going to replace with smart meters. 
I've noticed that there the pipe attaches to the meter and wall has putty around it. Half of the putty has fallen off, and is wet. The pipe is green and rusting. Is it relevant?

The engineer should take a look at the pipework and tell you if there are any problems. If they don't mention it, it's probably OK.

The outside of the meter is dry. Water doesn't seem to be getting in from the outside any more, the cupboard is dry inside. I could try covering it as a preventative measure, but not sure that's the solution needed IYSWIM?

There shouldn't be any water in the gas, and even if there was there isn't any way for it to get from "in the gas" to "in the card slot". Unless you're about to tell us that there's eg. a leaking water pipe inside the meter box, the only place water can be coming from is outside the box.

alanamyles

There shouldn't be any water in the gas, and even if there was there isn't any way for it to get from "in the gas" to "in the card slot". Unless you're about to tell us that there's eg. a leaking water pipe inside the meter box, the only place water can be coming from is outside the box.

Thank you for this. Fingers crossed we won't have issues with these smart meters now. Is it worth querying whether a replacement "cupboard" to house the meter in is needed to prevent it happening again?

macman

The meter box is the responsibility of the property owner, not the meter asset company. So, in your case, the LA.
I'd push them to replace it, because if water continues to get in and damage the meter, then the supplier might seek to bill you for the damage.
Or bite the bullet and replace it yourself, they are available from about £30.