Gas has been a main energy source for the UK over 200 years. In fact, there are more than 23.2 million gas customers who live in the UK.
But that gas can turn your home into a dangerous environment if you aren’t careful. That’s why getting a routine gas safety check is so important.
Keep reading below to learn more about gas safety checks and why you should never skip one.
What Is a Gas Safety Check?
An engineer will perform a gas safety check to ensure your gas appliances are still in good working condition. They can check anything from your cooker to your boiler. If the appliances run on gas, you should have it checked.
During the check, your engineer will do the following:
- Ensure the safety devices on your appliances are working the way they should
- Ensure your appliances are burning at the right pressure
- Ensure any ventilation is adequatley sized and unobstructed
- Ensure no harmful gas is leaking into the home
- Ensure your appliances don’t have any wear or damage
An unsafe gas appliance can produce dangerous levels of Carbon monoxide (CO) and if left unchecked could be fatal.
Understanding the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
Over 50 people die every year due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and 4,000 more required medical attention.
Carbon monoxide is a gas that is both ouderless and colourless. Because of this, you won’t be able to spot it on your own. You won’t know if there’s a carbon monoxide leak in your home until you start experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms.
That’s why a gas safety check is so important.
It is always advisable to have an audible Carbon monoxide alarm within the same room of any gas appliance within the property. These should also be tested annually along with the gas appliance.
How Long Does a Gas Safety Check Take?
An average gas safety check will take about an hour. However, depending on your individual circumstances, that time can go slightly up or down.
Why so long?
Your engineer has to check several different parts of your appliances, and they need time to do it right. When it comes to gas safety checks, longer usually means better.
If an engineer rushes through a gas safety check, they might miss something important.
How Often Should You Get a Gas Safety Check?
You should get a gas safety check done every 12 months. Don’t wait any longer than this. Otherwise, your appliances might begin to wear out or develop other problems.
Ideally, the time that your appliance should be checked is 12 months from its installation date, if this is not known then pick a date and do your best to stick to it every year.
Who Needs a Gas Safety Check?
Any homeowner can get a gas safety check. Doing so will ensure your property and family stay safe.
But if you’re a landlord, you’re required by law to get gas safety checks every year.
What Happens If You Find Something Wrong?
If your engineer finds something wrong with one of your appliances, they will issue a notice. In some cases, they might even turn off the appliance so you can’t use it.
This might be an annoyance, but it’s for your own safety.
Upon finding an issue with a gas appliance the engineer will notify you of the issue and discuss the way forward to rectify any issue.
You Should Always Hire a Professional
Under no circumstances should you try to service or repair any gas appliance yourself. Always use a fully gas safe registered engineer. Gas appliances are very complex and potentially very dangerous. Gas safe registered engineers have to gain numerouse qualifications to enable them to work safely and also gain invaluable experiance over the years that can not be taught. Often to service many gas appliances expensive specialist equipment is required in order to do the job correctly.
Why put yourself and/or your family at risk. Always use a professional.
Understanding the Importance of a Gas Safety Check
Whether you’re a homeowner or a landlord, you shouldn’t go more than a year without getting a gas safety check. If you put this off, you might end up with carbon monoxide leaking into your home.
This can result in serious health effects or, in some cases, even death.
Don’t be tempted to skip this safety check just because you aren’t sure where you can find a registered engineer.
If you’re ready for your next gas safety check, we can give you a hand. Make sure you click here to take a look at some of our services and competitive rates.