Having a regular home gas inspection is very important in maintaining the safety of yourself and your family. Though it can be easy to put off having a gas inspection performed, once you understand how the gas appliances within your home pose a risk, you’ll see that regular inspections are something you can’t do without.

What is a Home Gas Inspection?

A gas inspection involves the gas safe registered heating engineer as they assess the safety of all your gas appliance and make sure your system is working properly. They will check the following:

• The ventilation passages to make sure they aren’t blocked and to ensure their proper function

• All the safety devices and their efficiency

• The appliance itself to make sure it’s burning at the right operating pressure

• Inspecting to make sure no harmful gases are leaking within the home and are instead moving cleanly outside the property (See Signs of a Gas Leak)

• The appliance is suitable for the room

• The appliance/s are properly set up and burning correctly

• There’s adequate air supply so the gas can burn properly

If you have questions about the gas inspection while it’s taking place, don’t hesitate to ask your gas engineer about them. Address any concerns you have and bring up any leaks you suspect or gas smells you may have been noticing.

The Gas engineer will give you a report showing all the inspections they’ve carried out.

How Often Should I Have a Home Gas Inspection?

Homeowners should plan on having an annual gas inspection. Be wary of assuming that all is well and carrying on without having your gas appliances checked each and every year. Often times you won’t be able to detect a gas leak on your own since there may be no smell or obvious signs that something is amiss.

Landlords have an obligation to make sure their tenants are safe which includes obtaining a certificate that a gas inspection has been conducted each year.

Gas inspections are required by all landlords, apartment buildings, hotels, B&Bs, local authorities, colleges, hostels, and boarding schools.

Before you sign a rent agreement with any landlord, be sure to check the lease to see if you’ll be held responsible for arranging future gas inspections after the initial certificate of inspection expires. Though every landlord is required to have a valid, current certificate of inspection before renting a property out, some might choose to turn the responsibility of scheduling future inspections over to tenants.

If you’re buying a property, whether the house is old or new, obtain certification from the prior owner to see when the last gas inspection took place. if they are unable to provide this information or if it’s been many years, have the gas inspection take place before you move in. You want to make sure everything is working properly before you spend the night.

When is the Best Time to Schedule a Gas Inspection?

The best time to arrange a gas inspection appointment is during the summer season. During the winter months, engineers are particularly busy tending to all the customers who are urgently trying to have their heating appliances checked.

You’ll find it’s much easier to schedule an appointment during the less busy summer months and you might even be able to secure a reduced inspection price.

How Long Does a Gas Inspection Take?

A standard gas safety check typically takes no more than an hour. It’s very important to keep this appointment. Carbon monoxide is deadly and homes that go unchecked are at a much higher risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Problems with a boiler, such as blocked flue, can cause carbon monoxide to build up inside until it’s released inside the home. This serious health risk can be prevented with the help of annual inspections.

Do I Need to Be at Home During an Inspection?

Each homeowner can choose for themselves whether they decide to be present during a gas inspection. There is no requirement that you be present as the Pace engineer can conduct the inspection without you.

Everything is automated so any information about prior inspections is stored electronically for the gas engineer to access, so they may not even need to ask you about your last service.

Schedule Your Gas Inspection Today

Hopefully, we at Pace Heating & Plumbing has provided you with some insight into why a home gas inspection is so important and how often you should seek one. If it’s been a while since you’ve had your gas appliances serviced and a gas inspection done, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an in-home appointment.

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask. We are happy to be of service to you and your family in the London area!