1300 508 157
Do You Need Gas Plumbing Or Gas Fitting Services?
Gas fitting services
Did you know that almost 70% of Sydney, New South Wales, households have a supply of gas to their homes? And 45% of their household energy is gas. If you do have a gas connection to your house you will probably prefer the effectiveness and quality of gas heating and cooking appliances as opposed to electric.
There are a number of gas appliances that you can have connected to LPG gas or natural gas services in Sydney. These include gas hot water systems, ovens, cooktops, pool heating, gas room heater and BBQs. For these appliances to operate with a gas connection to your home, you will need to have a gas line running from your gas meter throughout the home.
Expert gas plumbers are the ones you need to call to get the right gas connection throughout your home and to the right points of the home required for new gas fitting installations.
You might think that plumbers work with water and gas fitters work with gas, but many plumbers are qualified and licensed to do both. However, for a plumber to work with gas, they need to complete additional training to qualify as a gas fitter or expert gas plumber.
What is the difference between licensed gas fitters and a plumber?
A qualified, licensed gas fitter takes care of anything that involves gas appliances and the gas lines that are used to distribute gas, whether you use natural gas or LPG gas bottles. From gas fitting installation to servicing of gas appliances, professional gas fitting plumbers can resolve your plumbing needs when you have a gas fitting issue.
Your gas fitting needs might include some of the following:
- install, maintain and repair gas appliances, flues and gas bayonets
- install gas leak detection systems
- testing gas systems for correct pressures
- gas safety system training
Around the home, a gas fitter can check the safety & service your:
- Hot Water System
- Room heaters
- Gas stove or oven
- Gas BBQs
However, a qualified, licensed plumber takes care of the pipes and lines that feed gas from the meter and around your home. In order to carry out a gas installation of an appliance, they need further training and qualifications.
You would need regular plumbing services for:
- install or disconnect gas lines
- maintain and repair gas infrastructure
- inspect and repair problems with gas supply
- any other plumbing service to your home and business
- water and drain plumbing needs
So, just remember when booking professional gas fitters that they might not be plumbers and vice versa. When you call a company like Chiswick Plumbing, we will always send gas professionals to your house if you require a gas installation or a gas fitting plumber. All of our professional licensed gas fitters are qualified plumbers as well.
Do I Call A Plumber Or A Gas Fitter For Gas Hot Water Problems?
If you have a problem with your gas water system, your best bet is to find a plumber with gas fitter qualifications. That way, they can fix the problem whether it’s an issue with the gas lines supplying your water heater, the water supply, specific parts associated with the hot water system or the appliance itself.
A hot water system has many components to it and there are a few different types. Once you establish the kind of hot water system you have, the plumbing service you call with be able to send the right local plumber for the job.
Always make sure to describe the problem in as much detail as you can when calling your plumber. This will ensure the person who attends the job will have the correct qualifications and licenses to carry out whatever gas plumbing, gas fitting work or general plumbing work is needed.
If you are looking to install a new hot water system and want to convert from electric hot water systems to a new natural gas hot water system then you will definitely need a licensed plumber that also is licensed for new gas installations. they will need to extend the existing gas lines to ensure they reach the gas heater, ensure the gas installations are sealed tight and test that there are no gas leaks.
Gas fittings and safety
Operating Gas Heaters Safely
A gas heater is an important gas appliance that needs to have regular servicing in order to maintain efficiency of heating as well as the safety of your family. It’s recommended that gas heaters and flues are serviced, cleaned and inspected every 1-2 years by a qualified gas fitter to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Most plumbing services should have a qualified gas expert on their team and offer gas heater servicing.
This is an extremely important step to take when getting you gas heater out from storage after being tucked away for the summer. Dust & debris builds up on the inside of the heater causing the heater to stop working as effectively and potentially allowing carbon monoxide to release into your home. Experienced gas fitters know exactly what to look for and what to do with your heater and the entire process should only take 45-60 minutes.
Unlike the rotten egg smell that is added to LPG and natural gas to alert you to a gas leak, carbon monoxide is a by-product of those gases being burned. Unfortunately, carbon monoxide can be deadly – and has no smell, colour or taste to let you know it’s seeping into your home.
If you use gas heating, the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning you should look out for are:
- feeling unusually tired or exhausted
- shortness of breath
- headaches or dizziness
- feeling nausea or weakness
- feeling confused
- chest pain
If you experience any of these symptoms while using a gas heater:
- immediately switch the appliance off
- leave the building to get fresh air
- seek medical advice – call 000 for emergency care, or NURSE-ON-CALL 1300508157 if symptoms are milder
Once you’ve taken care of your immediate safety, call a gas fitter to inspect and service your heater.
I Think I Have A Gas Leak!
Just like a water leak or water pipes, gas pipes and gas fittings and gas plumbing can corrode and deteriorate over time which can lead to a gas leak. A gas fitting might break or become damaged causing gas leaks.
Gas can be incredibly dangerous, which is why it’s essential to know the signs of gas leaks to ensure your safety.
If you can smell gas and suspect you have a leak here are the steps you should take:
- switch off any pilot lights and all appliances at the PowerPoint
- switch off your gas supply at your gas meter, or close off your gas bottles
- open as many doors and windows as possible to ventilate your home
- call a licensed gas plumber with gas fitter qualifications to assess the problem
In this situation, you need plumbing services in Sydney that offer prompt service in order to carry out gas leak detection and gas repairs in a timely manner and have you up and running without any gas plumbing problems. With gas leaks, same-day service is a must!
Chiswick Plumbing has been in the plumbing industry for 39 years, servicing your gas appliance, and carrying out your gas repair and gas fitting services. If anyone knows gas, it's us!
Common problems with gas appliances
Like any appliance in our home, ongoing use causes wear and tear that can lead to problems. While some problems can be very serious, others are more of a nuisance and can be taken care of with little attention.
Gas burner won’t light
If a burner on your stove top won’t light easily, this may be a sign there is debris blocking the jets. Check your user manual on how to clean the burners and try again.
Flames are weak or uneven
This can be another indicator that the jets of your burners are blocked, or that you may have a problem with the gas supply. If cleaning the jets doesn’t help the flame burn stronger or more evenly, you may need to call a gas fitter.
Stove top flames are very noisy or yellow
Gas flames should burn blue, so yellow flames can be a sign that the gas is not burning cleanly. There may be something interfering with the airflow. Noisy flames may indicate there’s excess gas flowing through your burners.
Pilot light is out
If the pilot light of your appliance has gone out, the first thing to do is check whether you can smell gas. DO NOT attempt to relight the pilot light if you can smell gas in the area! Call a gas fitter to check your appliance. If you cannot smell any gas and the area is well ventilated, check the appliance manual on how to relight your pilot light.
When You Need Gas Fitting Services In Sydney...
Contact the team at Chiswick Plumbing for fully qualified and licensed gas plumbers and gas fitters in Sydney, Wollongong and Illawarra. We provide a full range of Sydney gas services including:
- gas appliance installation
- gas connection and gas line checks
- gas repairs and connection service
- gas hot water heater installation and service
- gas bayonet installation
- LPG to natural gas BBQ conversions
We provide 24/7 emergency Sydney gas services to ensure your safety day or night. To avoid an emergency, call 1300508157 and schedule a service of your gas appliances.
