Why Gas Safety Check Should Be
Top of New Home Checklist
Moving to a new house brings a lot of excitement and thrill. From interior decoration and cleaning to functional value and convenience, we make a lot of plans. This anticipation often makes us forget the safety aspect of the house.
Among other safety checks, gas safety certificate should be the utmost priority as it can put our family, neighbors, and property in danger. Therefore, knowing the dangers of gas leakage is imperative. Many homes are at a high risk of gas leakage and hazards due to unsafe gas appliances, which can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, explosions, fires, leaks, etc.
Thus, doing some homework to check the house concerning gas safety is essential. This article will share some key points regarding gas safety checks in a new house. Check them out and be sure to follow them:
Before Moving to a New House
- Check the Gas Safety Certificate
Before you move into a new house, be sure to have every gas appliance checked thoroughly. Furthermore, never forget to ask the former house owner for the gas safety certificate. This certificate will tell you the history of these appliances. However, be careful in checking the certificate. It should be given by a registered engineer. The engineer only provides a certificate if the appliances are 100% safe to use.
Apart from it, notice the time of issuance of the certificate. This certificate is given every year so it should not be more than 12 months older. Furthermore, if you are moving as a tenant, the landlord will provide you a copy of the certificate and will not charge anything in terms of gas safety certificate cost. However, if you are purchasing a house, the former owner will provide you the original document.
If the certificate is about to expire in a few days, you should get a new one as it will be legally checked every year during your home inspection. For this, you need to call a certified engineer for an inspection.
Gas safety assurance engineers work on an appointment basis so take an early appointment if you are running out of time. After checking the pipelines and appliances, they will provide a record form in which all the results are mentioned. In the future, if you wish to rent out your house, you will give a copy of this document to your tenant.
- Consult Experts before Making any Changes that Affect Gas Safety
Many of us wish to make some DIY changes to houses before settling into a new house. However, we should be aware of the dangers of working with gas pipes and appliances. Any mishandling can result in explosions, leaks, and exposure to carbon monoxide. Therefore, never tough such appliances. Let the certified professionals do the changes for you.
Studies show that nearly 15% of the renovation projects increase the risk of gas leakage. Other projects that can be harmful to gas safety include extensions and conservatory buildings.
Tips to Avoid DIY Disasters
I recommend everyone to have a look at these tips before moving into a new house. These tips are:
- Never try to fix or repair gas appliances. Though appliances like ovens and boilers come with a study manual, it is risky to fix such things without having relevant expertise. Call a certified engineer to do the job.
- Always check what is behind the wall before starting any renovation work. If you are hiring a team to do the renovation work, do not completely depend on them. Check for gas pipes behind the walls with the help of a stud detector or cable.
- Double-check the boiler flues and air vents. If the flues get blocked, the gases will have no space. Thus, they will come back into your home and the house will be filled up with carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and can be fatal if appropriate action is not taken.
- Apart from taking instant action when you feel the gas smell, notice the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. These include headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness, nausea, etc.
- Know the signs and symptoms of unsafe gas appliances. Never ignore such signs and instantly call a professional to fix the issue. These symptoms include yellow flame, intermittent pilot light, increased condensation, and black stains.
- Lastly, never forget to save the emergency helpline number for gas leakage in your phone.
Tell-Tale Signs of Gas Leakage
Especially in winters when boilers are on and there is less room for ventilation, gas is sometimes trapped in the home. This gas can cause mild to severe health issues depending on the number of toxins.
Some people feel a constant migraine but fail to associate it with gas. In this scenario, notice the gas smell in your house. If you feel any smell, take prompt action. Other physical health conditions caused by gas leakage include:
- Allergies
- Skin problems
- Fatigue
- Itchy eyes
- Throat irritation
- Nose bleeding
Apart from it, never touch an electrical appliance if you are noticing the symptoms of gas leakage. Instead, turn off the main electrical switch as a safety precaution. Moreover, pets are also affected by leaking gas. They will have the same symptoms like redness of eyes, itchy skin, breathing problems, etc.
Check for Gas Safety before Your Big Move
In short, gas safety should never be ignored as one small blunder can result in high energy bills and the loss of lives in worst-case scenarios. Pay full attention to checking the gas appliances and be sure to have a gas certificate. Call a registered engineer for inspection and if you are moving into a house as a tenant, check the former certificates.
Furthermore, avoid fixing any gas-related issues. Many DIYs during shifting into a new house can cause gas-related problems. Also, stay aware of the symptoms of gas leakage and take instant action.
Carbon monoxide is fatal can has taken many precious lives in the past. So, make gas safety your first priority in a new home checklist.
Author Bio:
Myrah Abrar is a computer science graduate with a passion for web development and digital marketing. She writes blog articles for Gas Safety Certs.