boiler pilot light question

[weave]

Hi,

My sister asked me to turn off the gas at my late mother's house yesterday. (not at the mains). There is a timer switch which was at 'OFF' but I switched off the main electric switch and the pilot light went out.

As I know nothing about boilers and gas, woke up this morning a bit paranoid that I've done a major NO NO. Have tried to Google an answer but can't find.

Thought I'd ask you intelligent lot before waking up British Gas.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks weave

[NeMo]

My sister asked me to turn off the gas at my late mother's house yesterday. (not at the mains). There is a timer switch which was at 'OFF' but I switched off the main electric switch and the pilot light went out.

What did you actually do? This isn't at all clear.

Did you turn the electricity off to the central heating and hot water timer? This is the clock or computer panel thing most often in the airing cupboard. The electrical supply to the hot water pump is usually nearby, and if the pump is off or broken, the boiler will usually cut out before it overheats.

Did you turn the electricity off to the boiler? These need electricity for various functions including a fan, and like any electrical device in your home, can have a fuse that blows or else trip a switch at your main electrical circuit box (often under the stairs).

Many boilers have a specific start-up sequence you need to do. Turn a dial, wait a few seconds, see if the pilot light goes on... that sort of thing. I have done some repairs to the central heating system over the years, but they're complicated and time consuming, so calling out a proper engineer really is the best way forward. Some gas companies offer a "one price fixes all" offer that can be useful.

Cheers, NeMo

[weave]

Thanks Nemo,

Once again probably not explained myself well.

Basically there is no one living there and we don't want gas as on the market so what's the point.

I have turned off the electrical switch next to the boiler (in the kitchen) and the pilot light went out. Just want to know if that's OK or should I keep the pilot light on as just read on a US website that it can leak gas and the whole place could blow up!

Cheers weave

[NeMo]

I have turned off the electrical switch next to the boiler (in the kitchen) and the pilot light went out. Just want to know if that's OK or should I keep the pilot light on as just read on a US website that it can leak gas and the whole place could blow up!

I'm not a gas fitter so this isn't professional advice!

But I think there are two options really.

One is to turn the gas off at the mains. That way there's no risk of any gas escaping anywhere. Obviously you'd also have turned off the boiler in this situation.

The alternative (and what I'd do on holidays for example) is simply turn the timer to no central heating, no hot water. That way the boiler won't come on, but the pilot light will stay on. The boiler will have its own safety features that ensure the gas supply turns off if the pilot light goes out. In winter you'd probably turn the central heating on a little bit, enough to stop the pipes freezing. There's more risk of icy pipes splitting than a gas leak.

If the house is vacant, then option 1 is probably the best.

But as I say, I'm not an expert. Call someone who is. I've also found the DIYNot forum very helpful in the past. It's inhabited by lots of retired plumbers and other folks like that, so you tend to get good advice.

Cheers, NeMo

[Malc]

You are probably OK, but why not turn the gas off at the supply? The gas stop 'male chicken' (changed by forum) is usually next to the meter and moving the lever down will turn it off.

[Sprintex]

Turning off the boiler switch would put out the pilot light as they have a failsafe incase of power cut etc which is electrically controlled.  Thus turning off the power kicks in the automatic gas cut off interlock...

Paul

Agree with the above, even older boilers have a basic thermocouple circuit to cut the gas off in event of the pilot light going out


Paul

[RussellH]

By far the easiest and safest action for you as already stated is shut off the main gas valve located next to the gas meter.

Russ