No Gas Supply Coming Into House

Scribbler100

Went to bed last night, everything grand. Woke up this morning, no gas! We are on the mains supply, we use natural gas for cooking and for central heating/hot water so it's a bit of a nightmare given the current weather conditions! Have logged a call to Gas Networks but (understandably) we are unlikely to see an engineer for at least the next day or two.

We are complete beginners here, are there any obvious things that we could check for ourselves while we wait?

Scudges Da

Most modern gas boilers have a condense pipe outside the house which is prone to freezing in these conditions,its normally a white plastic pipe about an inch in diameter. Pour a hot kettle of water over it if it is frozen, there's a good chance that's your problem.

Scudges Da

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9tWUv7oHXOs

Ajsoprano

Put a hairdryer to it

Scribbler100

Thanks for the replies! Would a frozen condensate pipe have any affect on the gas flow to the cooker?

I had looked on YouTube and searched in this forum and looked regarding the frozen condensate pipe possibility, but we don't seem to have an condensate pipe that goes down to the ground or to a drain. I'll attach a photo if I can...

Ajsoprano

Scribbler100 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies! Would a frozen condensate pipe have any affect on the gas flow to the cooker?

I had looked on YouTube and searched in this forum and looked regarding the frozen condensate pipe possibility, but we don't seem to have an condensate pipe that goes down to the ground or to a drain. I'll attach a photo if I can...

No it wouldn’t have any effect. Have you checked the gas meter to see if it got knocked off by someone or something?

Scribbler100

Took the cover off and had a look at the gas meter first thing this morning, but I couldn't see anything adjustable! Shouldn't there be an obvious lever to open and close the gas flow?

Ajsoprano

The cable tie in the bottom left corner. Isn’t there a lever under that?

Scribbler100

Thanks AJSoprano, I didn't recognise that bolt-like mechanism as a lever! Complete beginners as I said. It is currently parallel to the gas pipe. Should that mean the gas flow is open?

miketheDIYman

Yes, to the right of the cable tie, the tap is usually in line with the pipe

Scribbler100

Here it is in its current position...

Scudges Da

That valve is on, could you take another picture of the meter from a higher angle?

Ajsoprano

Scribbler100 wrote: »

Here it is in its current position...

It’s on.
Have you checked have the neighbours got gas?

Scribbler100

Have checked with neighbours but they all seem to use oil fired or electric heating so we're none the wiser. Gas Networks Ireland said there was no general outage in our area.

Will go and take another photo, Scudges Da, is there anything in particular I should be focusing on?

Orwellmerchant

Put the box back in and wait an hour. Then open the meter box door, put your nose in and smell. If you can smell gas , call Gas Networks Ireland and they will arrive within 1 hour and repair it. (Former employee here )

Scribbler100

No smell of gas, thank goodness, we could have worse problems! I attach a couple of photos of the meter from a higher angle as requested.

Ajsoprano

If there is no gas in both cooker and boiler you have no gas in the line or a huge leak. Something in the meter might have stuck closed with the cold ,warm water might unstick it.
After that it’s a job for rgi plumber

miketheDIYman

Is the box accessible - could anyone have been at it ? Try turning the knob 180 degrees 1/2 turn so that its still in line with the pipe - if it only turns 1/4 then thats the OFF position ( worth a try )

Scribbler100

Will try that, thanks Mike, as you say it's worth trying anything but it's pretty unlikely that anyone would have been messing with the meter, particularly during Storm Emma.

AJSoprano, just in case there might be something in the meter that has got stuck closed with the cold, where should we be pouring warm water? On the pipe where the valve is? Am willing to try everything but I do think you are probably right and that there is no gas in the line. We will probably just have to wait it out for the Gas Networks Ireland guy.

Ajsoprano

All over it. There is a pipe into the meter with the tap on it and a pipe out. Anything could be stuck I suppose.

I am of the opinion that there is no gas though.

arminkavix

My guess is that the regulator, big grey thing top left of the meter, is frozen and won't let gas in until something or somebody warms it up.
I know next to nothing about domestic mains supply but this is a recurring problem with some industrial and domestic bulk storage systems.

Scudges Da

Your regulator may need to be reset, contact your local RGI, should be a two minute job

the_syco

Scribbler100 wrote: »

Took the cover off and had a look at the gas meter first thing this morning

Take a picture from the same angle; is the number to the very right moving at all? (although the angle of one of the more recent photos may just be throwing me off).

K.Flyer

The Regulator has tripped out and needs resetting. You need to call a Registered Gas Installer, or Gas Networks, to come out, he will check the supply pipe into the house to ensure no leaks and reset the regulator and get you going.

Scribbler100

Had to go and scrounge an electric radiator from the neighbours last night so we lost the light. We have one ourselves but it wasn't enough.

This morning I went out with the hairdryer and spent 15 mins warming the regulator and the meter/pipes. Went back inside and tried the stove. To our joy there was a hissing of gas but huge disappointment when it only lasted a matter of seconds. Have left one of those microwaveable heat packs full of linseed wrapped bunged into the meter box just in case.

I attach another photo of the meter front as requested, the_syco, the meter seems to have moved on by the tiniest fraction.

Will try getting an RGI out, a local one might be quicker than waiting for Gas Networks Ireland. Thanks for all the suggestions and support!