How Do I Turn Off My Gas Supply at the Meter?

Reasons You May Need to Turn Off Your Gas Supply

There are various scenarios where shutting off your gas supply is necessary:

• Gas emergency - If you detect a gas leak or smell gas, immediately turn off your gas supply and contact emergency services or the gas company.
• Maintenance and repairs - Shutting off the gas during appliance repairs or major renovations ensures pipeline safety.
• Replacing appliances - Disconnect your gas at the meter when replacing gas appliances, such as water heaters or stoves.
• Emergencies like fires or floods - In disaster situations, it’s critical to quickly turn off the gas supply to avoid leaks or explosions, even if there’s no apparent gas flow.
• Preventative measures for bushfires - Indeed, disconnecting your gas can be vital to reduce risk in the event of an approaching bushfire.
• Long vacations - It’s wise to switch off utilities like the off water supply when away from your home for extended periods.
• Moving house - It’s a good idea to turn off gas before relocations to protect vacant properties.

If you’re uncertain about accessing the gas network or meter, locate them and consult a licensed gas fitter for help. Turning off your gas is crucial for preventing dangerous leaks and explosions.

Locating Your Gas Meter and Understanding the Components

Usually located at the front or side of your home, the gas meter is often housed in a grey metal box and comprises of a valve and a usage gauge. Inside this secure meter box, you’ll find your gas valve and other key components of your home’s gas supply:

• Gas appliance taps - This crucial supply valve is used to activate or deactivate the gas. Turning off the gas involves a simple quarter turn of the valve clockwise.
• Meter - Records the amount of gas used.
• Regulator - Indispensable for controlling and to stop flow gas, maintaining the correct pressure.
• Gas pipes - The crucial conduits that carry gas into your dwelling are found between the meter and your appliances.

Understanding how to swiftly turn off the supply when necessary is crucial. Familiarising yourself with the metre location and components, which are a part of your gas networks, including water system valves, is essential. Always ensure gas supply your safety by turning off all utilities around gas metres and gas shutoff valves. If ever unsure, contact a licenced gas fitter for assistance.

How to Properly Turn the Gas Supply Off at the Meter

1. As a first step, turn off all home appliances, including pilot lights, to initiate your gas shutoff procedure.
2. Locate your gas meter box, which is generally situated at the front or side of your house.
3. Open the meter’s metal casing to access and turn off the gas using the meter valve.
4. Find the gas shutoff valve and rotate the tap handle a quarter turn clockwise until it is in the horizontal off position.
5. Verify the tap is properly turned off, securing your gas supply for safety and peace of mind.
6. Notify the occupants, informing them that the gas has been shut off and the system is inactive.
7. Call a licensed gas fitter to help restore and inspect if required before reinstating supply.

What to Do After You Have Turned Off the Gas

After safely shutting off your gas, the gas supply should be followed by these important next steps:

1. Resist the urge to turn the gas back on yourself; reconnection should be performed by a professional. Engage a licensed gas fitter to ensure safe reconnection.
2. Open windows to ventilate the area if you detect a gas odor or leak, which ensures any residual gas dissipates.
3. Attach a warning label informing occupants to refrain from using any gas appliances.
4. Have a professional technician thoroughly inspect your system before restoring supply.
5. For gas issues, reach out to specialists like Cranebrook Plumbing or contact the department energy for guidance on safely restoring your gas.

Prioritising safety with natural gas systems, our skilled crew offers inspection, repair, and restoration services for any gas-related issues.

When It’s Safe to Turn the Gas Supply Back On

Only a licensed professional should turn your gas supply back on. Homeowners without specialised training must never attempt the restoration themselves.

Before turning the gas back on, a technician will:

• Thoroughly inspect all gas supply pipes and your gas appliance for leaks or damage.
• Fix any identified faults, such as those with the valve behind the stove that controls gas flow.
• Pressure test the system to confirm it’s airtight.
• Expel any leftover air from the pipes.
• Relight your hot water system and other appliances after inspection to ensure they operate correctly.
• Check all safety controls are functioning.

A technician will meticulously monitor all connections, including those behind the stove, for leaks as the gas is turned on. They may use leak detection fluid, gas detectors or pressure gauges.

Only once the technician has verified through extensive testing that there are absolutely no leaks or other hazards, is it considered safe to restore your gas supply.

For complete peace of mind, contact our team at Cranebrook Plumbing on 1300 349 338. Our licenced technicians can carry out tasks to ensure it’s 100% safe to reconnect your gas.

Calling a Professional Plumber for Help

Safety is the overriding concern with gas systems. Attempting DIY fixes without proper training risks hazardous leaks, explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning.

For complete confidence, enlist a licensed plumber or gas fitter for:

• Inspections - Thoroughly checking gas line, appliances and components for faults.
• Leak detection - Using advanced tools to pinpoint any gas leaks.
• Repairs - Fixing identified issues like leaks or damaged pipes.
• Reconnection - After an interruption, safely restoring your gas supply.
• Compliance - Ensuring gas systems meet all Australian standards.

Learn how our knowledgeable gas specialists at Cranebrook Plumbing offer prompt emergency assistance, as well as regular maintenance and repairs, for various customers.

Contact our experts for assistance with any gas issue at 1300 349 338 or email us at [email protected].