When building your home or renovating, one of the things that need to be considered is whether or not you want to use gas for your kitchen, and your hot water system. Aside from costs, it’s important to make sure that if your property has access to natural gas – and, if not, to call and make sure to contact your energy supplier to get you connected to the natural gas line so you can get started. If that’s not available, you may have to resort to using LPG. But aside from this, what does gas installation and maintenance entail?
What Happens During a Gas Installation?
Once you have access to gas, call a licensed plumber to work on gas installation in your space. He will connect your gas to points in your home or business, ensuring that you’ll be able to use this energy source for your needs, whether it be for cooking or for your hot water system.
Always check if your chosen plumber has the right certifications before you make your choice, and they will be required to provide you with a compliance certificate after they have finished their gas installation, in order to make sure that everything has been done as according to standard.
How Do You Convert from LGP Bottled Gas to Natural (Mains) Gas?
All new homes within Perth will be automatically connected to mains gas – otherwise known as natural gas. However, even though this has been standard for many years now, there are still plenty of older suburbs where homes are commonly run on LPG bottled gas.
All plumbers in Yanchep would be accustomed to converting homes and appliances from LPG to mains gas – this is one of the most common plumbing or gas jobs for homes within the older suburb.
We are seeing plenty of existing LPG homes undergo the process to convert to natural gas for various reasons. For one, natural gas produces fewer emissions than an LPG alternative, making it more environmentally friendly.
Another point is that natural gas is cheaper than LPG in a lot of cases. Many homeowners do not realise that LPG and natural gas appliances are not interchangeable – these need to be converted using a conversion kit.
Furthermore, this conversion process can only be executed by a licenced gas fitter, such as those at Alkimos Plumbing & Gas.
How Do You Know If Your Gas Fitter is Right For Your Needs?
One of the first things you should look at when finding someone to install gas in your home is if they are licensed gas plumbers. It is illegal to work on gas lines without having a license, and this is to ensure that gas plumbing jobs are done safely and accurately. If done incorrectly, after all, this can cause danger to the people around the area.
Aside from having a valid license, it’s also a good idea to look at their service reviews and how long they have been in the trade. Reviews, good and bad, can inform you whether or not this plumber is right for you. Experience is important because the more experienced your Wanneroo plumber is, the more likely your gas fitting will be done to an impeccable standard, and lessen the chances of issues cropping up in the future.
Try to find a gas fitter that operates in your suburb, too. Not only would they have personal knowledge of existing gas plumbing problems in the area and be able to install your gas with this in mind, but having a local plumber will give you peace of mind that your technician is only a call and a short period of time away, too, should any problems arise.
Lastly, if you manage to find a plumber who updates their knowledge of the latest plumbing techniques regularly, and works on their expertise, even better! You’ll know you’re in good hands because technicians who work on furthering their skills regularly are sure to provide great service.
What Are Possible Signs That May Mean A Need for Gas Repair?
Sometimes, gas issues can begin undetected, especially if the issue is in the underground gas lines. As always, it’s a good idea to ensure that regular inspections and maintenance are done to keep your gas systems in tip-top shape, but you should also know what things to look for if something seems off and you suspect a gas leak.
Keep an eye on your garden
If there is an underground gas leak, this can affect the roots of your garden plants above and cause them to wither and die. If you notice that your plants are struggling and you are aware that they are above a gas line, there may be a problem.
Rising gas bills
If the gas bill that you pay has suddenly changed, despite no difference in your gas appliance usage from previous months, get your gas lines inspected. There may be a leak, which has caused the spike in your utility bill.
Issues with gas appliances
Gas appliances require a continuous flow of gas to work correctly. If there is a gas leak in your home, you may be having difficulty turning on the stove, or getting steady hot water from your gas hot water system. If your gas appliances seem to be malfunctioning but there is no obvious damage on the appliances themselves, it may be the gas lines that need to be looked at instead.
Hissing noises
Hissing noises from your walls are already concerning enough, but they may be caused by a gas leak. It’s best to close off the gas valve to see if the noise stops and to ensure that the gas is contained and does not spread to other parts of the building.
The smell of rotten eggs
One of the telltale signs that you have a gas leak in the area is if the smell of rotten eggs or sulphur pervades the place. However, the smell does tend to disappear quickly, leaving a faint trace of it. Even then, if you are smelling it for long enough, it can cause nausea and headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
What to Do When You Have a Suspected Gas Leak
If you suspect that you have a gas leak, it’s important to remember that you should not be fixing this yourself. Instead, turn off all the appliances and pilot lights inside that you can, and shut off the valve and your supply at the gas meter. Try to remember to open all the doors and windows to ensure that the area is ventilated well, and contact a licensed gas fitter to repair the leak and sure that inspect your lines so that everything is working properly.
Remember, do not look for the gas leak with an ignition source, and do not operate electronic equipment in the area while it has not been assessed. Avoid turning on lights or anything that can cause a spark that may lead to a gas fire, and keep away flammable objects from the property while the gas leak is there.
If you do suspect that you might have a leak, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Alkimos Plumbing & Gas is proud to offer trusted gas services to Perth’s northern suburbs. With no call-out fees, flat rates for more jobs and over 50+ glowing 5-star reviews online, rest assured that you are in safe hands. Give us a call today on 1300 584 638.