We smelled gas in the cellar - called Gas Emergency Service *VIDEO*

[boolie]

Yesterday I could smell gas in the cellar near the meter. Asked my wife to check as well - she said she could smell it too. Called the gas emergency number on the meter.

We have an extractor fan in the cellar so turned it on to clear the air. After the smell had gone I turned the fan off but kept trying to smell for gas - didn't notice anything.

The emergency gas man came about 40 minutes later with his sniffer and manometer. Sniffed around and didn't detect anything. Did a tightness test with his manometer and everything checked out OK. He even checked the neighbours either side who were OK.

I am a bit confused as to what happened - to the point that I'm doubting my sense of smell. Any thoughts? I'm posting a video of where the pipe comes through the wall - I thought the smell was coming from the hole around the pipe. Should I just fill that hole up with mortar / expanding foam (just in case)??

 

[ianmcd]

We have an extractor fan in the cellar so turned it on to clear the air. After the smell had gone I turned the fan off but kept trying to smell for gas - didn't notice anything.

you see the instructions on the meter saying if you smell gas , "DO NOT operate any electrical switches", could have been a very different outcome if it was Gas and you did that

 

[Keithmac]

There was an advert years ago with a light switch, same thing gas + spark = boom..

 

[BoilerBob]

I remember a gas inspector years ago daft bugger struck a match looking for a leak and blew all the windows and doors out wonder he didn’t kill himself. Bob

 

[boolie]

you see the instructions on the meter saying if you smell gas , "DO NOT operate any electrical switches", could have been a very different outcome if it was Gas and you did that

TBH that horse had long bolted, the lights were on plus a couple of other plugged in devices!

The gas smell wasn't that intense.. akin to leaving the cooker on for a bit without igniting

 

[ianmcd]

TBH that horse had long bolted, the lights were on plus a couple of other plugged in devices!

Doent matter there are specific testing procedures, before switching an electrical switch ON OR OFF, you cant test by your nose

 

[boolie]

so any ideas as to how this could have happened? will filling up the hole with expanding foam stop any gas coming into the house if there is a leak somewhere downstream? (in the underground pipe system)

 

[ianmcd]

It should be sealed inside anyway but not outside, dont use expanding foam, horrible stuff, use Denso mastic or equivalent

 

[boolie]

After this episode thinking of getting a natural gas alarm.. rather than relying on my sense of smell anyone can recommend a natural gas alarm?

The ones I googled seem quite dear!

 

[muggles]

After this episode thinking of getting a natural gas alarm.. rather than relying on my sense of smell anyone can recommend a natural gas alarm?

The ones I googled seem quite dear!

Good-quality ones are expensive. Cheap ones are pointless. In either case, the gas sniffer that the gas emergency service come round with will be much more sensitive and retail at around £2000, so if that's not picking anything up I suspect you have a different problem.

 

[Gasguru]

Are there any boiler flue terminals nearby?
Unburnt gas is always expelled during ignition and could have made its way in.

 

[Captain Nemesis]

TBH that horse had long bolted, the lights were on plus a couple of other plugged in devices!

Its not the being on which is the risk, its operating the switch. If there is a gas leak switching things off is as dangerous as switching them on.

 

[CBW]

Are there any boiler flue terminals nearby?

I would hope not, it’s in a cellar

 

[CBW]

I believe onions can give off a similar odour?

 

[Gasguru]

I would hope not, it’s in a cellar

Terminals outside...and if a boiler happened to be in the cellar the flue could be 300mm above the ground so unburnt gas entry is quite possible through broken brickwork/vents etc.