Unbelievable gas leak

[goz666]

I fit a new boiler a while ago at a property including new upgrade to 22mm gas pipe. Got a call on Thursday saying they could smell gas, went straight there and did a let by and TT. No drop whatsoever, did the TT twice because I have a trainee with me and he had no drop,customer was watching all the time and I explained the test and what we were looking for.

Just had a call again this morning saying she's had National Grid out and they've changed the anaconda because the engineer said it was pinholed, probably caused by me soldering near the meter and also its probably been leaking since the boiler was fitted !!!!

I'm puzzled, she's only just started smelling gas and the boiler has been in at least 10 weeks. The new upgrade was right back to the meter including new Union so the meter was removed back to the ECV while hot work was ongoing and two days after I did a tightness test the Grid engineer says he found a leak ?? Pretty much pi55ed me right off !!!

 

[Rickster123]

If you got flux on the anaconda it will eat through it in no time at all. If they're not chasing you for a claim I'd just put it down to experience and move on.

 

[kris]

It is strange that you had no drop in all your tests , do u use digital or water u gauge ? Not that it makes much difference just curious , could it have been leaking intermittently ? Is the meter inside the property as they managed to smell it ???

 

[Atouchofgas]

If you got flux on the anaconda it will eat through it in no time at all. If they're not chasing you for a claim I'd just put it down to experience and move on.

It does eat through quickly, had one that took 48hrs

 

[Neil K]

If you got flux on the anaconda it will eat through it in no time at all. If they're not chasing you for a claim I'd just put it down to experience and move on.

APP is 100% right. Do you use everflux? I actually think there was a technical bulletin out about this not so long ago

 

[goz666]

I use a water gauge, and the meter is in the vestibule of the house. She noticed the smell a few days ago, hence I went round to check.

I only use Laco or Powerflow flux, and the only way flux could've got on the anaconda was directly off my hands as we removed the meter and anaconda whilst soldering. Maybe that's what caused it but I still don't understand no drop on my gauge two days ago and she could smell gas but we couldn't. Anyway we live and learn, I only posted because I remember reading a post a while ago from someone saying they were being disciplined at work for leaving a leak on a gas fitting

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I use a water gauge, and the meter is in the vestibule of the house. She noticed the smell a few days ago, hence I went round to check.

I only use Laco or Powerflow flux, and the only way flux could've got on the anaconda was directly off my hands as we removed the meter and anaconda whilst soldering. Maybe that's what caused it but I still don't understand no drop on my gauge two days ago and she could smell gas but we couldn't. Anyway we live and learn, I only posted because I remember reading a post a while ago from someone saying they were being disciplined at work for leaving a leak on a gas fitting

new meter? as it might have a one way valve

 

[Atouchofgas]

Doesn't a proper tightness test involve spraying the anaconda? So I presume that it wasn't leaking when you did yours?

 

[Leo21]

The reason you didn't find the leak is because the governer must have locked out. You obviously did your tt right, so faulty governer/regulator.

 

[goz666]

Doesn't a proper tightness test involve spraying the anaconda? So I presume that it wasn't leaking when you did yours?

I did spray, LDF all over the meter including both unions, the anaconda and sprayed right back to the ECV as I've had the ECV leak in the past !! No signs of leaks anywhere when I did it !!

 

[Leo21]

Doesn't a proper tightness test involve spraying the anaconda? So I presume that it wasn't leaking when you did yours?

How are you going to do that with a bottle and brush? That's what the gas supplier uses.

 

[Neil K]

It's one to be aware off. Flux rots the anaconda

 

[GrahamM]

Doesn't a proper tightness test involve spraying the anaconda? So I presume that it wasn't leaking when you did yours?

Just curious. Where does it state this?
I don't LDF the anaconda itself unless I suspect a leak after tightness test.

 

[Scott_D]

What pressure do you TT at?
Does your FGA do a tightness test and printout?

 

[goz666]

What pressure do you TT at?
Does your FGA do a tightness test and printout?

Tested at 21mb and I have the Kane 455 it does TT and print but i always use a water gauge. Cant be bothered using the FGA on a TT.

 

[Scott_D]

The printout give a little proof that there was no leak at the time if testing.
It's a pain but priceless in this type of situation.

Maybe the anaconda was only leaking at a slightly higher pressure (25mb)

 

[Neil K]

Water gauge is your only man. Ive had the electronic ones giving me wrong readings before. Water gauge is what all the national grid blokes use now for the same reason.

 

[Leo21]

The printout give a little proof that there was no leak at the time if testing.
It's a pain but priceless in this type of situation.

Maybe the anaconda was only leaking at a slightly higher pressure (25mb)

My word that time of test was is good enough. Let someone try and prove any different.

 

[hammers4spanner]

Thats the magic words 'prove it'

 

[stevetheplumber]

test should be no higher than 20mb i thought?

 

[hammers4spanner]

Changed it couple year ago i thought 20/21 mbar maybe wrong

 

[kris]

test should be no higher than 20mb i thought?

I've always been 10 let by then 20 tightness, but IGE/UP1B does state to not exceed 21 so 20-21mbar

 

[hammers4spanner]

Let by 7-10

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Let by 7-10

Yep they changed that recently, God knows why!

 

[goz666]

ACS done again last November and as stated, let by 7-10 and TT 21mb no change in timing.