With several deaths per year linked to gas leaks in addition to hundreds of hospitalisations, gas safety is something every household should take seriously. In this guide we discuss what can cause a natural gas or carbon monoxide leak, how to detect leaks and what to do if you think there is a leak in your home.
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What causes a gas leak?
Gas leaks in the home are usually the result of poorly fitted, badly maintained or faulty appliances like boilers and cookers.
If your appliance is badly fitted, gas can escape — typically from the gas hose that leads into your appliance or from around the seal — so you should always make sure your appliances are installed by an accredited Gas Safe engineer (previously CORGI).
If you are not sure if your engineer is accredited, you can check the Gas Safe site or ask the engineer to show their registration card. If your appliances are a bit older and you are having them serviced, always use a Gas Safe engineer.
You should also be cautious of old or second-hand appliances, particularly if you are just moving into a new property or renting. Luckily there are some easy-to-spot signs that will tell you if your old appliances are faulty (which we cover below).
How do you detect a gas leak?
The most tell-tale sign of a leak is the smell of gas in your home. But in the case of a carbon monoxide leak, there are also particular physical symptoms you may suffer from if there is a leak.
If you are feeling lightheaded, ill, dizzy or nauseous you should go outside immediately. If the symptoms go away in the fresh air you could be feeling the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.
There may also be some clear signs from your household appliances that indicate a leak, even if you can't smell gas:
- If the flame is a tired-looking orange or yellow colour rather than crisp and blue, this can signal an issue.
- If the pilot light always seems to blow out, there could be an issue.
- On the outside of the appliance, keep an eye out for soot or any black or brown scorched areas.
- Watch out for excessive condensation on the windows, or a musty smell in the air.
How do I prevent gas leaks?
The easiest way to deal with a gas leak is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Your first line of defence is with your household appliances.
Always make sure any appliance is installed by an accredited Gas Safe Register engineer, and make sure you check them on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear.
Likewise, if they do require maintenance, make sure your engineer is registered. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, install an audible carbon monoxide alarm in your home. These are fairly cheap and generally available from DIY stores and look similar to smoke alarms. Make sure they are installed in an open space like a hallway, and change the batteries annually.
What should I do if I smell gas?
To avoid the worst, you should always take action immediately if you smell gas in your home.
The first step is to turn off the gas supply at your gas meter. The valve that regulates the flow of gas will be connected to your pipe at a right angle, but can sometimes be difficult to locate and/or access.
That's why you should always familiarise yourself with whether your gas supply can be turned off — especially if you're in a new property or have recently made changes to the layout.
The next step is to get fresh air into your home to help disperse the gas. Open all the windows and doors and leave them open to ensure the air is able to flow.
If you can't open the windows, get outside and into the fresh air as soon as possible.
While you are airing out your home, avoid using any electrical switches, as the sparks could cause an explosion. This includes light switches or electronic doorbells. Similarly, avoid smoking, using matches or burning any naked flames (e.g. candles) as they could all ignite the leaked gas.
Once you have taken these steps and dealt with the imminent danger, it's time to call in the experts. The National Gas emergency number is 0800 111 999, but don't just rely on memory. Save the number in your mobile phone and have it written down in an easily accessible location.
The number is free to call and is available 24 hours a day. The general advice here is not to use a mobile phone inside your home if you suspect a gas leak, as there's a (very small) risk that it could ignite the gas. To be on the safe side, go outside or to a neighbour’s home.
Once you have called the number, make sure someone is around to help the emergency engineer locate the leak and gain access to the property once they arrive.
Finally, in the unlikely event that a fire breaks out, your first call should be to the fire service on 999.
Time for a new boiler?
A new energy-efficient boiler could save you hundreds off your heating bill every year.
What can happen if a gas leak isn't dealt with?
A natural gas leak can be a serious situation.
If left unchecked, unsafe appliances in the home can lead to fires, explosions and even carbon monoxide poisonings.
Read our dedicated guide for more gas safety tips.
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