Gas emergency: what to do right now
If you smell gas, act at once. Open doors and windows, turn off the gas at the meter and avoid flames and electrical switches. Leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
The line is free and open at all times, because gas leaks cannot wait. Do not use 999 for a gas smell, unless someone is in immediate danger. If the meter is in a cellar, do not go down there.
Carbon monoxide: the silent killer
Carbon monoxide is a gas you cannot see, taste or smell, so it is hard to spot. It comes from appliances that burn fuel badly. It can make you ill and, in bad cases, can kill.
Signs include headaches, dizziness, nausea and tiredness. These can look like flu, so be careful. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm and test it often, because it is your best warning.
Gas Safe registration: the legal requirement
In Great Britain, anyone who does gas work must be on the Gas Safe Register. This includes fitting, repairing and servicing gas appliances. Ask to see the engineer’s ID card and check which type of work it covers.
You can also check the register online. Never use someone who cannot prove they are registered. Unsafe work can cause leaks, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, so never take the risk.
Landlord gas safety obligations
Landlords must have each gas appliance and flue checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. They must keep a record and give tenants a copy. Tenants who think a check is overdue should ask their landlord.
Landlords also have rules about alarms, so check the current guidance on gov.uk. If you are a tenant, report any smell of gas or faulty appliance straight away. Do not use an appliance you think is unsafe.
Ventilation requirements
Gas appliances need fresh air to burn safely, because poor air causes harmful gases. Never block vents or air bricks. Keep flues clear, too.
If you have work done to your home, such as new windows, ask whether ventilation is affected. A registered engineer can advise. Poor ventilation can cause carbon monoxide to build up.
Annual boiler servicing: what it checks
A service checks that the boiler burns safely and works well, while it also looks for wear. The engineer looks at the flue, the seals and the safety devices. Our guide to what to expect at a boiler service has more detail.
Most makers advise a service every year. Book it early, since a regular check can spot small faults before they grow.
Related guides and local help
If you want to know more, read Preparing Your Home’s Plumbing for Winter: A UK Guide. You can also read Frozen Pipes: How to Prevent, Thaw and Cope After a Freeze and What to Do When a Pipe Bursts: A Step-by-Step UK Guide, because they cover closely related problems.
These guides help too: Flooded Basement or Cellar: What to Do and How to Prevent It, How to Find a Water Leak: Detection Methods and When to Call, Plumbing Emergency? Here Is Exactly What to Do Right Now, Leak Detection Methods: Acoustic, Thermal and Tracer Gas and Emergency Plumber Costs: What Affects the Price and Tips. Each one explains a related topic in plain English.
Need help near you? Read our plumbing help page first, or see Emergency Plumber in Bridgnorth and Emergency Plumber in Bridgwater. You can also see Plumbing Repairs in Dingwall, since every service page has a free quote form. We pass each request to a local drainage engineer.
