Services

Before you do any DIY around your house you should know where the main services are located in your home – water, gas and electricity. You must switch these off before you do any electrical or plumbing work. It is also useful to know in case of any emergency.

This series of articles will help you to identify where the main switches are for these services..

1 – GAS

Gas comes to our homes through underground pipes straight to the gas meter. Meters are normally located in a box attached to the external wall or, in older properties, they can be found inside: under the stairs, in the cellar or sometimes in the hallway.

The main gas on/off valve is on the pipe going to the meter. It is on when the handle is in line with the pipe – you can switch it off by turning it through 90 degrees i.e. it is off when the handle is right angles to the pipe.

Gas is normally used for heating, cooking and hot water. If you live in a property heated by gas you will have a gas boiler. The most common type of boiler used in larger properties is the conventional boiler. This requires a copper cylinder (usually located in the airing cupboard), a cold water tank and a central heating header tank (usually located in the attic).
The water is pre-heated and stored in the cylinder. It can be used simultaneously by more than one tap without losing flow. Therefore this system is useful for homes with more than one bathroom or where the mains water pressure is too low.

If you cannot find a water cylinder, you probably have a combination boiler system – this requires no cylinders and tanks as it heats water directly from the cold water for central heating & hot water. This system is more efficient and economical as water is only heated when needed. However, if you need to use more than one tap at the same time, you may find that only one of them would flow hot water – the hot water supply to the radiators can also be interrupted.

Both types of boilers can be high efficiency – known as condensing boilers – these have either a larger or secondary heat exchanger using less fuel, yet producing lower gas emissions.

Work on gas supply & appliances

If you smell gas you might have a gas leak. Turn off the gas valve and go outside of your home. Do not switch on any electrical appliances, lights or a match.

Working directly on gas pipes, appliances and fittings is not a DIY job!

In the UK all gas related work and servicing must be undertaken by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer (this has replaced “Corgi”). If you work around these areas, make sure that the mains gas is switched off.

Also, before you start any DIY job, make sure you have a first-aid kit, you’re wearing comfortable & sensible clothing.

In the next article you can read about identifying your water systems and electricity services.