Gas & Water Leaks
Water leaks can be extremely costly in damages if left. Many homes have been left with heavy costs after years of an underfloor water leak rotting away at the timber foundations. If it is after-hours and you do not want to incur the cost of a plumbers call out charge, we have got a video below where you can turn your water toby off then have the work done during working hours.
Gas leaks can be fatal or very costly. If your worried about a gas leak, do not leave it, especially if it is in your home. If it happens after-hours and you don't want to incur the cost of an after hours plumber call out, you can turn your gas meter off as shown in the video below (coming soon). If you get stuck or cannot follow it, give us a call and we can assist you through it.
We are available 24 hours for any problems you have.
Where can I find the gas meter?
The gas meter is usually located at the front of the house (facing the road) or on side walls within 3m of the front (see diagram).
How do I turn it off?
On the gas meter there is a valve tap - usually located on the left hand side of the meter where the pipe is coming out of the ground (pictured). To switch these off you will need a crescent, spanner, pliers or any tool that can grip steel (pictured).
If it is a modern house it will be a ball valve with a yellow handle (pictured).
Testing you have turned it off;
Testing can be done on your gas appliances. Switch on either your gas hob, heater, infinity BUT DO NOT TURN ON ANY APPLIANCE ANYWHERE NEAR THE LEAK - if it smells like gas near the appliance do not switch it on. If you are concerned at all, give us a call.
One thing you don't want to do is ignore a leak. We are available 24 hours if you need us, otherwise if you would like to try it yourself, see our videos and step-by-step guides to help you turn off your gas or water supply if needed. Any questions, do not hesitate to ask, we are here to help.
Water Leaks
How to turn off your water supply
TOWN SUPPLY ONLY; To isolate the water supply from your house, you need to locate your water toby (isolation valve).
Where?
This can usually be found out the front of your house, between the footpath and the fence. Quite often in line with a hose tap in the front of your house. The water toby is usually a blue rectangular plastic lid (pictured) in the concrete/ground or for older properties can be a round cast iron lid (pictured).
How?
Open this up with a screwdriver using this as a wedge (pictured). If your supply is on, the tap (pictured) will be at maximum turn anti-clockwise, to switch it off, turn it fully clockwise until it can no longer be turned. Some will not be taps but be a valve (pictured), when these valves are on the handle runs inline with the water flow, to turn these off turn the handle so it is perpendicular to the pipe - a quarter turn (pictured).
Testing you got it right
After switching it off, replace the lid and test by turning on a hose tap (or regular tap) and seeing if the water stops flowing.
Things to be aware of;
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Shared driveways - don't switch off the neighbours water, be sure it is your own. The best way to tell is either checking a hose tap is inline with the toby on your house or switching it off and testing your taps.
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Once the water supply is off, you cannot use your shower, toilets, taps, etc. You will need to call a plumber to rectify your problem before turning it on again.
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