We had a large extension added about 15 years ago. The whole extension had to be piled (built on clay) and a concrete slab added.
The old gas meter / cupboard that was previously on the outside wall wasn't touched and is now inside the integral garage of the new extension. The supply is now buried under a substantial concrete / piled slab holding the whole extension up. We've had no issues, we've had meter readings taken, we even had Corgi inspect the whole system after an issue with the original certificate on completion. The building inspector found no issues, signed it all off and life went on.
A few months back a gas engineer came around to block off the kitchen gas supply as we went for a electric hob. Did all the tests at the meter, he commented on the plastic pipe but that was about it.
In an effort to change gas / electric tariffs from our current supplier I was advised to get meter readers fitted. (I've put it off for years). This week the guy turned up and immediately said the gas meter was illegal as the pipe from floor level to the meter in the garage was plastic and should be steel. He said if he touched it he'd have to report it. If he reported it the gas supplier would demand we move it outside, the block paved drive, the piled concrete slab and half the garage floor would have to come up, if we refuse they'd cut the gas supply off and it all got a bit daft - and it would be bloody expensive naturally.
Needless to say they were shown the door, didn't do the job and promised not to report it (something tells me they will)
Having done basic research I appreciate the fire issue with plastic inside the garage and what the regs say however now we've had the fear of god put into us that we now have an unsellable house.
The bizarre thing is the meter in its current location was previously on an exterior wall, on a long block paved driveway, built from scratch by the developers (we bought from new in the 90's). Over the years the kids have played footie etc on the drive, cars have been parked, doors have been opened the meter box / pipe has been ravaged by general traffic and abuse yet why would they fit a plastic pipe from ground level to the box ?
Surely it would have to be steel / metal. Any one of my kids could have kicked a ball and smashed the hell out of it.
Is it possible that inside the plastic sleeve is a steel pipe ? It was in a high traffic area where any nudge from a car bumper, door, child etc could have damage it.
Anyone seem similar - mid 90's build.
The old gas meter / cupboard that was previously on the outside wall wasn't touched and is now inside the integral garage of the new extension. The supply is now buried under a substantial concrete / piled slab holding the whole extension up. We've had no issues, we've had meter readings taken, we even had Corgi inspect the whole system after an issue with the original certificate on completion. The building inspector found no issues, signed it all off and life went on.
A few months back a gas engineer came around to block off the kitchen gas supply as we went for a electric hob. Did all the tests at the meter, he commented on the plastic pipe but that was about it.
In an effort to change gas / electric tariffs from our current supplier I was advised to get meter readers fitted. (I've put it off for years). This week the guy turned up and immediately said the gas meter was illegal as the pipe from floor level to the meter in the garage was plastic and should be steel. He said if he touched it he'd have to report it. If he reported it the gas supplier would demand we move it outside, the block paved drive, the piled concrete slab and half the garage floor would have to come up, if we refuse they'd cut the gas supply off and it all got a bit daft - and it would be bloody expensive naturally.
Needless to say they were shown the door, didn't do the job and promised not to report it (something tells me they will)
Having done basic research I appreciate the fire issue with plastic inside the garage and what the regs say however now we've had the fear of god put into us that we now have an unsellable house.
The bizarre thing is the meter in its current location was previously on an exterior wall, on a long block paved driveway, built from scratch by the developers (we bought from new in the 90's). Over the years the kids have played footie etc on the drive, cars have been parked, doors have been opened the meter box / pipe has been ravaged by general traffic and abuse yet why would they fit a plastic pipe from ground level to the box ?
Surely it would have to be steel / metal. Any one of my kids could have kicked a ball and smashed the hell out of it.
Is it possible that inside the plastic sleeve is a steel pipe ? It was in a high traffic area where any nudge from a car bumper, door, child etc could have damage it.
Anyone seem similar - mid 90's build.
Last edited: