Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the most common air pollutants. It can get inside someone’s home through gas-powered appliances, chimneys, generators, and automobile exhaust, among other factors. Use these important tips to detect and prevent carbon monoxide leaks in your home in Modesto, CA.
Detecting Carbon Monoxide Leaks
There are several ways that you can detect a carbon monoxide leak in your home. Early detection is crucial when it comes to protecting yourself from the harmful effects of carbon monoxide.
CO Detectors
Your CO detector can tell you that you have a carbon monoxide leak in your home. If it keeps going off even after you change the battery, you should open the windows in your house. Leave and then call 911 to report the CO leak.
Sooty or Yellowish-Brown Stains
A CO leak will also cause sooty or yellowish-brown stains. These stains occur most often around boilers, stoves, or fireplaces. Inspect these areas regularly for unusual stains or marks.
Yellow or Orange Flames
The pilot light in your gas-powered appliances and the stove burner flames should burn blue. Yellow or orange flames can occur because of a CO leak.
Health Symptoms
A CO leak can cause you and others in your home to experience numerous symptoms. These symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Tiredness
You should leave your home and call the fire department and gas company to find the carbon monoxide leak. Once the area is deemed safe and the system is turned off, have an experienced HVAC technician in Modesto repair your furnace right away.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Leaks
You can use numerous methods to prevent carbon monoxide leaks in your home.
Install CO Detectors
Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Place them near bedrooms and on every level in your house. Test your CO detectors at least twice a year and replace the batteries in them to ensure they work properly.
Regular Maintenance
Additionally, hire an experienced heating and cooling service to maintain your gas appliances and furnace every year. Maintenance can uncover problems like a leak in one of your gas lines or a pilot light that needs to be repaired.
Proper Ventilation
Ensure all your fuel-burning appliances are properly vented to the outside of your house. Proper ventilation prevents back-drafting. Back-drafting occurs when exhaust from an improperly ventilated appliance gets drawn back inside your house.
Chimney Inspection
At least once a year, have your home’s chimney professionally inspected. Professional inspections can ensure your chimney is free from debris like birds’ nests and leaves that can prevent CO from escaping through it.
Avoid Using Gas Appliances for Heating
Likewise, avoid using your gas appliances for heating. You might be tempted to turn on your gas oven during a power outage, for example. However, it can cause carbon monoxide to build up inside your home.
Portable Generator Safety
If you have a portable generator to use during outages, ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Only use it outdoors, for example. Also keep it away from your home’s doors, windows, and vents.
Space Heaters
Space heaters can come in handy during cold spells. However, they can also become emit carbon monoxide. Use space heaters that you can vent to the outside to prevent this risk.
Garage Safety
Avoid warming your car up inside your garage. Even with the door open, your car can cause carbon monoxide to get inside your home. Back your car up into the driveway to let it idle and warm up before you drive it.
Proper Installation
When you buy a new fuel-burning furnace or other appliance, have an experienced HVAC technician install it for you. An experienced technician will know how to connect it so it burns fuel safely. Professional furnace installation mitigates the risk of a CO leak coming from the new appliance or heating unit.
Seal Gaps
You should also have a heating services professional seal any gaps you find around your appliances’ vents and flues. Seal the gaps using a material like caulk or mastic tape. Sealing them prevents carbon monoxide from leaking into your home.
Learn More About Our CO Prevention Services
At Cencal Mechanical Heating & Air, Inc., we have more than a decade of experience helping people in the Modesto, CA area avoid carbon monoxide leaks in their homes. We not only work on gas-powered appliances and furnaces. Our team also services cooling systems and offers indoor air quality solutions. We offer products from leading brands like Bosch. Contact us today to learn how we can help you avoid a carbon monoxide leak in your home.
