Why Gas Safety Check Should Be Top of New Home or Flats Checklist

Congratulations, you finally closed the deal on your new home and flat, and you can’t wait to move in! What are the next steps? And what should be on your list to have checked before you move in?

Moving into a new home can be exciting, but some essential safety checks should be carried out before the big move. Having gas appliances checked is one of those essential items that should be on your checklist.

A gas leak is extremely unsafe and something that you can easily get checked during a gas appliance check. A gas safety certificate will certify that your appliances have passed the check.

Let us learn about gas safety certificate costs, why you need to get your new home checked, and how you can get a gas safety certificate.

Do You Need a Gas Safety Certificate as a Homeowner?

As a new homeowner, you should know that it may or may not be required by law to get all of your gas appliances checked by a professional gas safety engineer who will issue a gas safety certificate. Check your local laws to see whether it is a legal requirement or not. But having said that, it is always a good idea to get your gas appliances and pipes checked before you move into a new home or flat.

If you are a property owner and have tenants, then, according to local laws, the gas appliances check may be the responsibility of the tenants to carry out. As an owner, you are required to carry out a thorough check of all pipes and flutes that are leading to the gas appliances.

Who Should Carry Out the Gas Safety Check?

If you live in the UK and surrounding areas, a Gas Safe Registered engineer will carry out the check on your home. You can check if your Gas Safe Registered engineer is registered or not by checking the Gas Safe Registry. This is an online database of all Gas Safe engineers for the UK and surrounding areas.

For registries in the country you live in, contact your local authorities for more information.

In the UK, Gas Safe engineers will carry a Gas Safe ID card that you can ask for when you need to confirm registration. Usually, Gas Safe engineers have their ID card on display, but if they do not, you can always ask for it. The card should display:

  • Photo and name
  • The business they work for
  • When they started work and when their registration expires
  • A license number
  • The Gas Safety hologram

Signs that Your Appliance is Not Fitted Securely

The reason why it is so important to carry out a check on your gas appliances and pipes is because of the danger of a carbon monoxide (CO) leak. Carbon monoxide leaks occur when appliances are not well fitted or if there is a faulty pipe. Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas and is dangerous to individuals who inhale it.

Dangers of a gas leak include:

  • Fires and explosions
  • Undetected leakage that can cause CO poisoning
  • CO leakage may cause appliances not to work at full efficiency

To make sure that your appliances are not leaking CO, you should know the signs that an appliance is not secured properly:

  • Your appliance is not working to its full capacity
  • The flame of your appliance is floppy
  • There are brown or black markings on your appliance
  • The boiler pilot keeps going out
  • There is some condensation inside the windows of the home

If any of your appliances are showing any of the signs above, you should call a gas safety engineer to carry out a check immediately.

Which Gas Appliances Do I Need to Get Checked?

As mentioned above, it is important to make sure there is no CO leakage in your new home. A Gas Safe engineer will take time out to ask you questions about the home before they start their inspection. You should know details like when your home was built and any gas appliances that have been newly installed etc.

A gas safety check will make sure that all appliances are fitted well, and there is no CO leakage.

When a gas safety check is carried out, a Gas Safe engineer will check appliances to make sure:

  • Is properly burning and set and detect if any gas is escaping
  • The appliance is of the right size for the room that it is located in
  • The appliance is securely fitted to the pipe it is connected to
  • All chimneys and flues are clear and not blocked
  • That there is proper ventilation for occupants of the house where the appliance is fitted
  • Gas pipework is secure, and there is no leakage
  • Check to make sure pipes are not outdated and of good quality
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If the Gas Safe engineer finds any appliances or pipes are leaking, then they will inform you and make necessary recommendations to fix the problem. These recommendations will be written down, and a follow-up visit by the Gas Safe engineer may have to be carried out after the necessary repairs have been carried out.

How Much Does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost?

A gas safety certificate cost includes the gas safety inspection. This is considered as one cost, and you will only have to pay one time. The Gas Safe Registered engineer will carry out the inspection and then inform you how to obtain the certificate.

The cost can range anywhere from £60 to £90. To get an accurate quotation, call a few different companies and do some market research. Over the phone, you can get an estimate before a physical visit.

The Importance of Having a Gas Safety Check Carried Out

As a new homeowner, you should not take unnecessary risks. You must take the time out and schedule a gas safety check for all of your appliances and pipes before you move into your new home.

A gas leak can prove to be very dangerous and even fatal. If a home or flat has not been occupied for a long period, it is even more important to have your gas pipes checked before you move in. Old piping and unused gas appliances can be very dangerous and lead to a fire or explosion if used without a proper check.

Finding a gas safety engineer who can carry out the check is as simple as finding a registered company online and booking an appointment. Do not waste another moment and get it done today!