Gas cooker installation St Helens homes can trust
Fitting a gas cooker is not a DIY job. By law, anyone connecting, disconnecting or moving a gas appliance must be Gas Safe registered. We provide gas cooker installation and gas hob fitting across St Helens and the whole borough, from Moss Bank and Windle to Rainhill and Billinge. Matthew Birchall, Gas Safe number 653634, does every job himself.
Whether you have bought a new cooker, are moving house or are having a kitchen fitted, Matthew will connect it safely and check it works properly before he leaves.
Why it must be a Gas Safe engineer
A badly fitted cooker can leak gas or produce carbon monoxide. Only engineers on the Gas Safe Register can legally carry out gas work, and many retailers' delivery teams will not connect a gas cooker for this reason. You can check any engineer on the Gas Safe Register website or ask to see their ID card.
Freestanding gas cookers
Most freestanding cookers connect to a bayonet point on the wall using a flexible hose. Matthew will:
- check the bayonet fitting and hose, and replace the hose if it is worn or the wrong length
- fit a stability chain or bracket, so the cooker cannot tip forward and pull on the hose
- level the cooker and make sure it sits safely between the worktops
The stability chain matters more than most people think. If a child leans on an open oven door, an unsecured cooker can tip.
Built-in gas hob fitting
Built-in hobs are usually hard-piped, with a rigid connection rather than a flexible hose. Matthew connects the hob to the supply with the correct fittings and isolation valve, so it can be turned off safely in future. If you are having a new kitchen fitted, he can run the gas supply to the right spot before the worktops go on, saving time later.
Range cookers
Range cookers are big, heavy appliances, often with several burners and two or more ovens. They usually need a larger hose, a stability chain and a gas supply that can cope with the higher demand. Many are dual fuel, with gas burners and electric ovens. Matthew can connect the gas side, while the electrical connection needs to be done by a qualified electrician.
Disconnecting and moving a cooker
Moving house, or having the kitchen floor done? Matthew can disconnect your cooker safely, cap the supply and reconnect it later. If you are moving the cooker to a new position, he can extend or reroute the gas pipework. For other kitchen pipework, such as sinks and washing machines, see our plumbing repairs page.
Safety checks after fitting
Every gas cooker installation finishes with a set of checks:
- Tightness test: confirms there are no gas leaks on the installation.
- Burner pressure: checks the gas pressure is correct for the appliance.
- Flame picture: each burner should give a crisp blue flame, not a lazy yellow or orange one.
- Safety devices: flame failure devices and the oven controls are checked.
- Ventilation: the room must have the ventilation the manufacturer asks for.
If anything is unsafe, Matthew will explain why and what needs doing. Landlords should note that cookers they supply are part of the annual landlord gas safety certificate.
Carbon monoxide alarm advice
Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm in the home and test it monthly. Watch out for headaches, dizziness or nausea, soot or staining around the cooker, or flames that burn yellow or orange. If you smell gas, turn off the supply at the meter, open windows, avoid switches and call 0800 111 999. Matthew can also check other gas appliances while he is there, or book in an annual boiler service.
Converting from gas to electric
Switching to an electric cooker or induction hob? We can disconnect the gas cooker and cap off the gas supply safely, then test it so there is no risk of a leak. The new electric cooker or hob will need a suitable circuit, and the electrical connection must be done by a qualified electrician. If you still have a gas boiler, only the cooker branch is capped and the rest of the supply stays on. A faulty boiler is covered by our boiler repair service.