FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Why do all gas jobs require a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC) or Certificate of Compliance (COC)?

  All gasfitting carried out from 1 July 2013 requires certification. Once your gasfitting is connected, the person responsible for the work has to issue a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC) that indicates the gas installation or part installation is safe to use and the gasfitting work has not adversely affected any other part of the gas installation. This is supported by Certificates of Compliance (CoCs) for any gasfitting defined as high-risk or general risk.

• How often should I service my gas appliance?

  For reliable operation, it is recommended that gas appliances are serviced every two years. In very dusty environments (such as houses with dogs, or new carpet) annual servicing is recommended.

• Can I have gas hot water if we are not on mains gas?

  Yes, there are gas units on the market that will run on LPG bottles and these can be used in most situations.

• What do I do if I can smell gas?

  Check that all your appliances are turned off and if you have LPG bottles, turn them off at the valve on the top of the bottles. Gas leaks can be serious so please give us a call so we can locate and fix the leak. Any related work will need to be done by a licensed gasfitter.

• What should I do if I have a burst pipe?

  Turn off your water at the toby, which is often located near the boundary of the property in front of your house. It might be in the ground and have a plastic cover over it (usually blue or black) or it might be in a box. Turn the valve clockwise (to the right) to shut off the water. Then give us a call so we can help with the repairs. Stopping the flow of water initially will prevent additional water damage.

• What causes low shower pressure and what can I do about it?

  There are several things that cause low shower pressure. It is generally low hot water pressure which we can try to increase but it is not always possible. The other most common cause is the wrong type of shower mixer for the water system in the house. Give us a call and we will be able to come and have a look at your situation and recommend the best solution.

• Why is water coming out of the pipe on my roof?

  This is due to your hot water cylinder overflowing. If this is not repaired it can cause an expensive power bill. This can often be repaired with a simple washer replacement.

• Why do unflued gas heaters require a room to be ventilated?

  Unflued gas heaters need to be used in a well-ventilated area with plenty of fresh air circulating. These type of heaters draw the air for combustion from the room itself (as opposed to flued gas heaters that draw this air from outside). This can lead to a buildup of moisture if the room is not adequately ventilated. Generally we don’t recommend unflued gas heaters as the primary heat source in homes, but every situation is unique so give us a call to discuss heating options for your home.