What do I do if my gas gets shut off?
When the utility shuts your gas off over a suspected leak, leave the lock alone. Do not attempt to restore service yourself. Hire a Licensed Master Plumber instead. He locates the leak, then makes the repairs, pressure tests the piping, and arranges the Department of Buildings (DOB) and utility inspections that restore your service legally.
As a rule, a gas shutoff throws any property owner sideways. The utility locks your meter as soon as anyone reports or suspects a leak. That lock protects the building from an explosion. However, this leaves your building with no heat, no hot water, and no cooking gas.
A sudden Con Edison gas shut off, or a National Grid gas restore, tends to start with panic. As a local, family-run business, Stanley Lewis Plumbing & Heating knows exactly how stressful this is. In addition, we hold full insurance and New York City licensing for plumbing and fire suppression work.
Here is the exact step-by-step checklist you need to follow to get your gas back on as quickly as possible.
Your Gas Shut Down Restoration Checklist
1. Do Not Tamper With the Meter Lock
Forcing the lock off your meter tempts people, above all in deep winter. Do not do this. It is illegal, highly dangerous, and will result in massive fines and permanent service revocation from the utility company.
2. Call a Licensed Master Plumber Immediately In other words, utility companies do not fix gas leaks on private property. They only shut the gas off. You are entirely responsible for hiring a professional to make the repairs. The city allows only a Licensed Master Plumber to do this work. Our Master Plumber holds NYC Licensed Master Plumber #2296. Stanley Lewis Plumbing & Heating Corp holds NYC LIC PLUMBERS #2296. Since 1973, Stanley Lewis Plumbing & Heating Corp is one of New York City’s premier plumbing & heating companies.
3. Leak Detection and Repair First, our technicians trace, diagnose, and repair the problem on site. In particular, we inspect the gas piping to find the source, replace the compromised sections, and confirm the new fittings hold airtight.
4. The Pressure Test
After the repairs, we pressure test the entire gas system. This proves to the city that the system can hold pressure without dropping, guaranteeing there are no remaining leaks.
5. DOB and Utility Inspections
After a successful pressure test, we handle the bureaucratic heavy lifting. To begin, we pull the permits with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). Then we coordinate final inspections with the DOB and your utility, so they can unlock the meter.
Gas Restoration Takes a Licensed Master Plumber
Above all, a gas shutoff calls for a contractor who knows the city’s permitting and testing requirements. Do not trust an unlicensed handyman with a high-ticket, high-stakes job like gas shut down restoration in Brooklyn.
If you are without gas now, read more about our National Grid and Con Edison gas shut down restoration services. Call Stanley Lewis Plumbing & Heating at 347-349-4851 so we can secure your building and restore your heat and hot water.