Under no circumstance should the inspection and maintenance of appliances and gas supply connections be conducted by you or any other unqualified person.
As for the servicing of appliances, consult your owner’s manual. Manufacturers will vary in their recommended service frequency. Some will recommend servicing every one or two years. Ideally, the servicing should be conducted before the heating season.
Before using a gas appliance, you should read the owner’s manual thoroughly in order to ensure correct and safe use. If the appliance does not come with a manual, you can look for one online or request one from the manufacturer.
Constantly monitor your gas appliances and watch out for warning signs like red or yellow flames, accumulation of soot around the appliance, acrid smell, eye irritation, and frequent blow out of pilot lights. These indicate incomplete combustion and you should have a qualified professional look at your appliance.
Make sure you clean and check burners. As for air filters and fans, these should always be cleaned. Otherwise, the accumulation of lint and dust can result in combustion problems and overheating.
Enlist the aid of gas supply plumbers to check hoses and connections. If you own a portable heater, its hoses should be regularly inspected for signs of deterioration and damage.
Your gas supply plumber should also check flue pipes and look for signs of damage, like holes and loose-fitting joints, corrosion and blockages.
Regularly check gas regulators. These have a limited life span and need to be replaced regularly.
During the service and inspection of your gas supply, your plumber should ensure that the gas pressure is correct and make the necessary adjustments when required. Improper gas pressure can lead to improper combustion and safety issues.
Homeowners should also be aware of gas safety precautions. If you smell gas in your home, turn off the gas from the main source, but only when it is safe to do so. If you notice signs of a visible gas leak, avoid coming into contact with it.
If there are flames, extinguish these at once and avoid lighting a new one. Electrical devices, including mobile devices, should be turned off. Make sure that you open doors and windows in order to ventilate the interior of your home. Move people away from the affected area and call in the gas supplier as well as your gas plumber.
Make sure that you open doors and windows in order to ventilate the interior of your home. Move people away from the affected area and call in the gas supplier as well as an expert providing gas plumbing services.