Gas And Water Safety

If you are a new Leaseholder you will need to call the Meter Helpline on 0870 608 1524 to find out who supplies the gas to your property, so that they can arrange for your supply to be connected.  Make sure you know where your Emergency Control Valve (ECV) is located and that it is accessible and easy to turn.

If you smell gas, turn off all gas supplies immediately. Extinguish any flames, open windows and doors and telephone National Grid immediately on 0800 111 999. If in any doubt at all leave the property and make the call from elsewhere.  DO NOT turn any electrical switches ON OR OFF.

Please ensure that you regularly service your own gas fittings.  If you are a landlord, you are required by law to have in place a Landlord's Safety Certificate, which is renewable on an annual basis.

Water

Make sure you  know where the stop-cock is for turning-off the main water supply.

If your water supply is cut-off for any reason, turn-off all the tops and keep the sinks and baths unplugged.  This will prevent any flooding when the water supply is restored.

Please remember to always turn-off your water supply before going on holiday.

Flooding

If there is a risk of flooding at your property, then it is up to you to protect it, yourself and your family.  If your home is flooded:

• Have your gas and electricity checked before use
• Boil all tap water until it has been declared safe
• Avoid contact with floodwater; it may be contaminated
• Contact the insurers of your home and contents
• The Council is only responsible for the insurance of your building.

Frozen pipes

To prevent frozen pipes in cold weather make sure that:

• Your home is properly heated
• Heating is on (low) even if you are out or away from your home
• All pipes are lagged (kept warm with insulating material)

If any of your pipes do freeze, turn off the water supply at the stop-cock and drain down the system by turning on all the taps until there is no more water coming through.  The supply can be turned on once the pipes have thawed.

If, despite these precautions, a pipe does burst:

• Turn off the water supply at the stop-cock
• Turn off the electricity supply at the mains as there may be a danger of water seeping into the electrical circuits.
• Turn off hot water boilers
• Drain the system
• Contact the insurers of your home and contents