Gas leak from meter in front garden - now cut off

[Sabina68]

I called out the gas emergency number tonight and they've capped off the external gas supply as it was leaking. They say I now need to find a Gas Safe plumber to reconnect it. I've had builders in doing refurb work including moving a boiler. They walked off the job but are established locally so won't want a dodgy reputation. They are the only builders who have been involved with the gas. I've texted them to ask if they would like the opportunity to reconnect it for their own peace of mind/ reputation but heard nothing. Could this gas leak just be a product of wear and tear perhaps? Just seems very likely they've upset some type of connection but maybe I'm leaping to conclusions. Any thoughts?

Wear and tear certainly happens

just wondering why the builders walked off the job, do you think there might be accidental damage? They'd be insured though?

Is the problem your side of the Meter or the mains side?

I don't know whether the leak was on my or gas board's side of the metre as I wasn't there when they came and annoyingly they left no information whatsoever! Could be accidental damage but the builders haven't come back to me when I contacted them to let me know this had happened and they are the only ones who've been involved with my gas supply. Just seems off that the gas board leave no pointers about what's actually wrong!

It is very coincidental. I would be contacting a gas engineer though, not the builders you’ve been using. With them having walked off the job after mucking about with a gas boiler and now you coincidentally have had a gas leak? Colour me suspicious. You need an independent fully certified gas engineer in to take a look. S/he will be able to tell if your builders caused the leak or if it is wear and tear.

It's because there are clearly defined areas of responsibility - gas boards responsibility is up to the meter I believe and not beyond, so if they find a problem after they will shut off the supply and then it is your business to deal with the leak on the side you have responsibility for.

I guess what to do about it really depends on what outcome you want. If you want to go after the original builders I would look on the Gas Safe Register site. There is information on there on how to get an inspection for work. I would give the builders the chance to respond first.

www.gassaferegister.co.uk/gas-safety/concerns-reporting-illegal-gas-work/

If you want it up and running asap I would get another engineer in to look at the system and find out where the leak is.

Does the builder have any Gas Safe qualifications, do you know? You can check the company on the gas safe register.
If a builder has moved the boiler and isn't Gas Safe Registered, he's worked illegally and it could be the reason he's reluctant to come back.

As another posted has said, get an independent Gas Safe engineer to check your system and they can find the source of the leak.