Turning Off Your Gas Main
Every tenant should know how to turn off their gas main. This is an important safety measure to take in the event of an emergency, such as a gas leak or fire. It is also necessary when performing maintenance or repairs on appliances that are connected to the gas lines.
As part of your Tenancy agreement, you are required to undertake minor repairs and maintenance to the property and know where your gas main shut-off lever is and how to turn it off.
As a tenant, you may think that knowing where your gas main water shut-off lever seems like too much trouble but locating it is simple and having that knowledge is very important. Of course, you can call a contractor to do it but this will likely cost £80 upwards.
The video and the guide below will give you the basic steps for locating and shutting off your gas main shut-off lever.
[Video: https://youtu.be/B-ZJLsMYHW8]
When to Turn Off Your Gas Main
You should only turn off your gas main in the following situations:
When you suspect there may be a gas leak in your home
In the event of a natural disaster (e.g., earthquake or fire)
When performing maintenance or repairs on appliances and fixtures that are connected to gas lines
If you are going away on vacation or are away for an extended period
How to Turn Off Your Gas Main
If you need to turn off your gas main, follow these instructions:
Locate the shut-off valve. This is usually located near where the main gas line enters your home.
If the shut-off valve has a lever handle, check to see if the lever is in line with the pipe. If it is, that means the gas line is on. To turn it off, simply turn the lever a quarter turn so it is perpendicular to the pipe.
If your shut-off valve does not have a lever handle, you will need to use an adjustable spanner to turn it off.
Suspect A Gas Leak? Here's What You Need To Do
If you suspect there is a gas leak in your home, turn off your gas main. Once you have turned off your gas main, open all of your doors and windows to ventilate your home.
Evacuate your family immediately and call your gas provider and fire department from a safe location. Do not attempt to re-enter your home until you have been given permission by emergency personnel.
Learning To Turn Off Your Gas Main Is An Important Task To Learn
Learning to turn off your gas main is an important task to learn, especially for the safety of your family and your residential rental.
Remember, if you ever suspect there may be a gas leak in your home, always err on the side of caution and turn off your gas main immediately.
But if you find that locating and turning off the gas mains shut-off valves has not been successful, please contact us on 01522503717 and we will be able to send out a contractor. However, if the repair needed falls under your responsibility as a tenant then you will be charged for the work.
Reminder That You May Be Charged - Where our contractor has arranged a time with you to attend and you postpone, cancel, or don't show up or where it is your fault for the appointment not proceeding you will be responsible for paying the call-out charge for the contractor and potentially any restocking fee for parts. Where the fault, issue or damage, is put down to your or other tenants, permitted occupiers, or guests' actions, you will be responsible for paying for the repair. These terms are already part of your Tenancy Agreement.
Thanks to BJ Poznecki for the video on how to clean and remove mould from your home.