Carbon Monoxide Leakage Advice

Keeping your home safe from carbon monoxide poisoning

For years, news reports have warned of the dangers of carbon monoxide. It’s always a priority to keep families safe, so it’s imperative to know about any threats that might present a problem. It is important to remain aware of the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning at all times. The increased use of items like gas boilers and log burners that burn fuel increases our risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

We can get sick and tired if we breathe in carbon monoxide, a colourless, odourless, and invisible gas. If our levels are dangerously high, we can die of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning can only be prevented by adopting preventive measures, which include being aware of its symptoms, being conversant with the causes of carbon monoxide leaks, and performing routine maintenance on important household appliances, such as boilers, fires and other gas appliances.

Having said this, here is a quick guide to help you understand what this carbon monoxide leak is and how you can prevent it.

How is carbon monoxide produced?

A closed space gradually loses its oxygen as it burns and is displaced with carbon dioxide. When there is too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it prevents the fuel from fully burning, so it starts to emit carbon monoxide.

As a result, carbon monoxide is produced in the absence of complete combustion and is a poisonous gas. You can leak this hazardous gas from anything that burns fuel, particularly if it has not been installed or maintained properly, or if it has fallen into disrepair. Appliances like boilers, heaters, ovens, fires, and log burners are especially vulnerable to this.

Is carbon monoxide produced by a certain household appliance?

Let's determine what kind of appliances are at risk of gas leaks now that you know how they are caused.

A wide variety of household appliances run on gas, oil, coal, and wood as fuel sources, including the following:

• Central heating systems
• Boilers
• Gas fires
• Water heaters
• Kitchen appliances
• Log Burners

In addition to these appliances, excessive levels of carbon monoxide may also develop in the following situations:

• BBQ's and outdoor heaters used indoors
• Spaces that are poorly ventilated or enclosed - burning fuel in a room that has no air vents, open windows, or unlocked doors e.g. tents
• Inadequately maintained or serviced old appliances
• Blocked chimneys and flues caused by nests of birds, bricks falling, vegetation growing.
• A gas appliance is emitted with yellow flames instead of blue flames, or incomplete flames

The first thing you need to do if you're concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning is to consider all the possibilities listed above.

How do I know if I have carbon monoxide poisoning?

Despite the fact that carbon monoxide has a knack for hiding, there are several signs that it is present. When you suspect your home is leaking carbon monoxide, you should recognize these symptoms as well as understand what you need to do.

As the most predominant symptom of CO poisoning, headaches are usually the first sign of the illness. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning will not include a high temperature, as you may experience nausea, disorientation, and dizziness.

Additionally, you might feel short of breath or have stomach pains. It can be difficult to diagnose carbon monoxide poisoning since symptoms can disappear once you leave the gas-infected area. However, the more exposed you are to these gases, the more pronounced the symptoms will become. Gas can kill relatively quickly if inhaled in large amounts - sometimes within minutes if a very high level is inhaled

What are the benefits of Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

In order for your home to be safe, you should install carbon monoxide detectors in every room that contains fuel-burning appliances, ensuring that the alarm will be heard throughout the house.

If you have a fire, stove, or boiler that burns fuel, it is imperative that you have a carbon monoxide detector, which will notify you if your home has elevated levels of carbon monoxide. A carbon monoxide alarm is a legal requirement in the United Kingdom for anyone who owns a residential rental property that uses fuel-burning appliances.

Additionally, the Government is encouraging and expecting responsible landlords to cover all gas appliances. Keeping up with the latest regulations is important. Also, make sure you check your alarm for any faults or replacements of the battery in case it develops.

Does boiler servicing make a difference?

Your boiler should be serviced annually since this eliminates any potential leaks of carbon monoxide. In addition to examining the boiler for leaks, safety checks are also conducted to test for carbon monoxide leaks. As a matter of course, an annual service must only be performed by a licensed professional, such as a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.

You will be able to save money and make your home more environmentally friendly by ensuring your boiler is operating at peak efficiency. Furthermore, an annual boiler service is a good idea to protect your warranty, and you might avoid paying a large amount later on if you have problems.

Carbon monoxide poses so many dangers that taking the necessary precautions is always a wise course in ensuring a safe environment. If you want to detect carbon monoxide before it becomes fatal, consider purchasing a carbon monoxide detector and be sure to get your boiler serviced on a regular basis. You can even book your boiler service online with ATG. We will keep you informed about your boiler service due date.