Gas Leak Repairs Lower Hutt

Gas leak repairs in Lower Hutt: valley floor mains, flood risk and an active fault

Lower Hutt is on Powerco's natural gas network, so a lot of the leaks we repair here are on pipework fed from a meter rather than bottles. Natural gas has an added smell so you notice it. If you catch it indoors, leave the house, do not touch switches or flames, and phone the gas supplier's emergency line once you are well clear of the house. When it is safe, we isolate the supply, pressure test the installation and track down the joint, hose or appliance at fault. Our gasfitters carry gauges and electronic detectors, so most leaks are found on the first visit.

Ground and geology give Lower Hutt some particular causes. The Wellington Fault runs along the western edge of the valley, with its escarpment visible at Hutt Central School, and a good shake can loosen rigid connections at heaters, cooktops and water heaters. After any strong earthquake, if you notice a smell or an appliance behaving oddly, have the system checked. On the valley floor, buried pipe runs through flood plain ground that can settle over time, and a sag can strain fittings at the house end. Homes on the Normandale and Kelson hills also have outside pipe on sloping ground, which we check for strain.

Water is the other risk. Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River broke its banks in 1985, and flooding is still a threat in heavy rain. Floodwater around a meter, regulator or outdoor appliance can leave grit and corrosion behind, so after a flood we inspect anything gas that was underwater before it goes back into use. Late-1940s state houses along the eastern side of the valley often have gas added over decades, and older hoses and capped lines in those homes are a common source of slow leaks. We cap anything redundant properly and replace perished hoses with approved connectors.

Local tip: After a strong earthquake in Lower Hutt, sniff around gas appliances and the meter before relighting anything, and call us if you notice any smell.