Smelled gas, called cadent, gas leak detected, do i need to replace the whole pipe?

[Gasmk1]

Trouble is you cant know whats happened along its length, could have a fitting, could have a screw through it, could have rubbed on something over the years and have a small hole.
If there is a drop and smell of gas has been reported it has to be capped until repaired/replaced

The traction without fittings will cost approx £300 for 30 metres plus new fittings then cost of removal of old and fitting of new. Depends on where the pipes run, and what access there is.

 

[PETE 123]

Going back to the original post they could smell gas in flat i would put more effort into anything in flat to be tested and test again before a rerun.

 

[Last Plumber]

It has a leak on what is considered pipework only. It has to be identified. I would be capping off the isolation valve in the flat and testing against that at this point, from the meter end. Also making certain there are no leaks around the meter. If there is a leak on the run up to the flat it needs testing where it can be accessed (I would use a Gasco Seeker) and failing that it will need to be replaced.

 

[naterac]

You might kick yourself for reporting it but there is a leak and it need fixing.

are you sure the pipes don’t go into a service void?

I don't know to be honest, all i see are individual pipes coming off each meter in the meter room, they all go through the roof and then i see one of those pipes coming into my boiler.

 

[naterac]

did he close the valve to the left of the boiler ?

yes he did.

 

[naterac]

It has a leak on what is considered pipework only. It has to be identified. I would be capping off the isolation valve in the flat and testing against that at this point, from the meter end. Also making certain there are no leaks around the meter. If there is a leak on the run up to the flat it needs testing where it can be accessed (I would use a Gasco Seeker) and failing that it will need to be replaced.

Ah, rather than just closing the valve you mean caping the pipe in case the valve is leaking gas when it's closed?

 

[naterac]

Where did you small the gas

Inside that small room where the boiler is

 

[naterac]

Just thought that if i had to re run the pipes, maybe it would make sense and probably be cheaper to install an electric boiler instead? what do you think?

 

[snowhead]

Just thought that if i had to re run the pipes, maybe it would make sense and probably be cheaper to install an electric boiler instead? what do you think?

NO.
The running cost would be higher.
Your flat may not have a sufficiently big enough electrical supply to support the boiler and could mean running a new cable from the meters, which are probably close to where the gas meters are.....

Before replacing any pipework it needs a lot of investigation particularly of the gas supplies to other flats.
It shouldn't be a case of the leak / source of smell can't be found so change your pipework anyway, it could turn out to be a supply to another flat, or even from outside.

 

[naterac]

NO.
The running cost would be higher.
Your flat may not have a sufficiently big enough electrical supply to support the boiler and could mean running a new cable from the meters, which are probably close to where the gas meters are.***.

Before replacing any pipework it needs a lot of investigation particularly of the gas supplies to other flats.
It shouldn't be a case of the leak / source of smell can't be found so change your pipework anyway, it could turn out to be a supply to another flat, or even from outside.

Noted, thanks! - Even if what i smelled turned out to come from another flat, i understand i still have to fix my pipe because it has a drop and i reported the smell of gas, so the cap can't be removed until the leak on my pipe is fixed right?

 

[snowhead]

Noted, thanks! - Even if what i smelled turned out to come from another flat, i understand i still have to fix my pipe because it has a drop and i reported the smell of gas, so the cap can't be removed until the leak on my pipe is fixed right?

YES, it needs fixing, that's gas you're paying for and getting no benefit from and could possibly be a hazard to yourself and others.

The reason for the pressure drop in your pipework needs to be identified and fixed, whether it be the pipe leaking or a joint leaking.
If the pipe was going to be replaced then whoever does that would have to expose the route the existing pipe runs to install the new pipe, so it would make sense, once it's confirmed beyond doubt that the pipe between the meter and flat is the problem, to expose the existing and trace the exact location of the leak.
There may be a joint that can remade, it may be a problem with lack of support for the pipe and had failed in some way which may also be an issue with the other flats.

What I wouldn't want as a customer is for someone to say it's quite likely to be the pipe, as opposed to saying the leak is at a specific location and pay for replacement only to find it wasn't needed.

As to whether the Freeholder has liability, that depends on the wording of the lease.
However it's quite likely you'll need the permission of the freeholder to have work done in the common area and the other flat owners need to be made aware of the issue in case it affects them or incase they have any knowledge of similar issues with their gas supply.

 

[naterac]

YES, it needs fixing, that's gas you're paying for and getting no benefit from and could possibly be a hazard to yourself and others.

The reason for the pressure drop in your pipework needs to be identified and fixed, whether it be the pipe leaking or a joint leaking.
If the pipe was going to be replaced then whoever does that would have to expose the route the existing pipe runs to install the new pipe, so it would make sense, once it's confirmed beyond doubt that the pipe between the meter and flat is the problem, to expose the existing and trace the exact location of the leak.
There may be a joint that can remade, it may be a problem with lack of support for the pipe and had failed in some way which may also be an issue with the other flats.

What I wouldn't want as a customer is for someone to say it's quite likely to be the pipe, as opposed to saying the leak is at a specific location and pay for replacement only to find it wasn't needed.

As to whether the Freeholder has liability, that depends on the wording of the lease.
However it's quite likely you'll need the permission of the freeholder to have work done in the common area and the other flat owners need to be made aware of the issue in case it affects them or incase they have any knowledge of similar issues with their gas supply.

Well, this is going to be fun. Thanks a lot for the help everyone. Cheers!

 

[snowhead]

Keep us updated if you would, everyone is going to be interested in the outcome.

 

[IND_Nick]

As mentioned above I would try and get an experienced gas engineer who is happy to spend a bit of time testing each section of pipe. While not impossible it is unlikely leak is on the Tracpipe section if it is one long run. I would concentrate on meter connections, boiler connection and any valves in the pipework( especially in the apartment if that is where the smell first appeared). For a good engineer it won't take long to determine exactly which section is at fault.
Why not post your location and see if any of the lads here are able to help?

 

[naterac]

As mentioned above I would try and get an experienced gas engineer who is happy to spend a bit of time testing each section of pipe. While not impossible it is unlikely leak is on the Tracpipe section if it is one long run. I would concentrate on meter connections, boiler connection and any valves in the pipework( especially in the apartment if that is where the smell first appeared). For a good engineer it won't take long to determine exactly which section is at fault.
Why not post your location and see if any of the lads here are able to help?

Hi, sure, i’m in N226AF. Anyone?

 

[naterac]

As mentioned above I would try and get an experienced gas engineer who is happy to spend a bit of time testing each section of pipe. While not impossible it is unlikely leak is on the Tracpipe section if it is one long run. I would concentrate on meter connections, boiler connection and any valves in the pipework( especially in the apartment if that is where the smell first appeared). For a good engineer it won't take long to determine exactly which section is at fault.
Why not post your location and see if any of the lads here are able to help?

Hi, yea absolutely, i’m at N226AF. Anyone?

 

[Specialdog]

As mentioned above I would try and get an experienced gas engineer who is happy to spend a bit of time testing each section of pipe. While not impossible it is unlikely leak is on the Tracpipe section if it is one long run. I would concentrate on meter connections, boiler connection and any valves in the pipework( especially in the apartment if that is where the smell first appeared). For a good engineer it won't take long to determine exactly which section is at fault.
Why not post your location and see if any of the lads here are able to help?

If the meter has been capped and retested to zero drop then that can be completely ruled out. Same of boiler has been isolated.

 

[Specialdog]

Where in the flat did you smell gas. Can you pin point the place where it smelled strongest?

 

[naterac]

Where in the flat did you smell gas. Can you pin point the place where it smelled strongest?

It was around the boiler, but we could also smell it in the hallway outside the flat

 

[naterac]

Hi Everyone,

So, i ended up calling up another gas engineer in my local area who was able to come immediately, he uncapped the meter and looked for leaks within my flat (all joints and the boiler itself) he also looked for leaks in the meter and couldn't find any. He ran the pressure test again and said that he deemed my gas installation safe and since the drop is well within what's allowed/legal he was completely happy to leave the gas on.

We have not smelled gas since, so for all i know that smell of gas was either coming from somewhere else or we might have imagined it.

Happy ending i guess.

Thanks guys for all the advice!

Cheers!

 

[snowhead]

Thanks for the update.

Did the engineer workout where the pipe runs up from the meter and or check where the pipe(s) to other flat(s) runs?

 

[Riley]

He’s brave leaving it on with a drop and a reported smell of gas.