Carbon Monoxide Testing

Trust Metropolitan for Carbon Monoxide Testing

Do you need carbon monoxide testing? With the significant health risks that come from severe carbon monoxide poisoning, it pays to have Metropolitan Plumbing test for carbon monoxide levels in your home.

There are many potential causes of carbon monoxide spillage, so it’s important that you call on an experienced plumber or gas fitter to provide thorough testing of all appliances and possible sources. The licensed professionals at Metropolitan Plumbing have the essential tools, skills and knowledge to get the job done effectively and keep you and your family safe.

Understanding Carbon Monoxide

Here’s what you need to know about carbon monoxide (CO).

It is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that can be extremely dangerous when it’s present at high levels. Its lack of smell, colour and taste makes it extremely difficult to detect without specific tools like a carbon monoxide detector. This makes it a silent threat that can harm you and your loved ones without warning.

How Does It Form?

Carbon monoxide molecules consist of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom. It forms when a lack of oxygen at the combustion site causes carbon-based fuels such as natural gas, oil and wood to burn incompletely. When these fuels burn, they release carbon monoxide into the air.

Being knowledgeable about carbon monoxide and its sources is crucial for your safety. By understanding its characteristics and potential sources, you can take preventive measures to protect yourself and your family from this invisible menace.

Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide Leaks

Carbon monoxide leaks can occur due to faulty or misused fuel-burning appliances (not just gas), poor ventilation and blocked flues. Some common household appliances that emit carbon monoxide and fall into the “dangerous when faulty” category include:

• Oil or gas furnaces
• Gas water heaters
• Fireplaces and wood stoves
• Generators
• Central heating units
• Gas stoves and ovens
• Gas space heaters
• Other open-flue gas appliances

Improperly maintained or malfunctioning appliances, indoor usage, and insufficient ventilation can significantly affect how much carbon monoxide makes its way into the indoor air.

Negative Pressure Environments

But even a fully-functioning appliance used properly can leave your home and family susceptible to carbon monoxide exposure. If a negative pressure environment exists – this is where exhaust fans, sealed homes or unbalanced heating and cooling systems create a low indoor pressure that draws combustion gases back into the house instead of expelling them – this can lead to a dangerous build-up of CO gas.

Being aware of these potential CO sources is essential in preventing leaks and ensuring the safety of your home and family.

The Silent Killer: How Carbon Monoxide Spillage Can Harm You

The odourless and colourless nature of carbon monoxide gas means it is often referred to as the “silent killer”. And for good reason.

When you inhale carbon monoxide, the molecules enter your bloodstream and bind to haemoglobin far more easily than oxygen. This reduces the volume of oxygen your blood can carry to vital organs and tissues. Which is where the problems lie.

Diagnosing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Diagnosing carbon monoxide poisoning can often be difficult as its symptoms are very similar to those of the flu.

Even at low levels, CO poisoning can lead to symptoms such as:

• headaches
• dizziness
• nausea
• fatigue

Each of these is easily mistaken for flu symptoms or other common illnesses.

Prolonged exposure that results in severe carbon monoxide poisoning can cause more extreme health issues, including brain damage, organ failure, and even death.

Vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are at higher risk when exposed to CO gas. It’s crucial to know these dangers and either equip your home with carbon monoxide detectors or schedule regular carbon monoxide testing.

Detecting Carbon Monoxide Leaks

Detecting a CO leak is the first line of defence against CO poisoning. And as we said, you’ll need specialised tools to identify its presence.

Carbon monoxide detectors are essential devices that can save lives. They continuously monitor the air and sound an alarm when they detect elevated levels of CO. It’s crucial to install detectors on every level of your home, especially near bedrooms and rooms with gas powered or fuel burning appliances.

When choosing a carbon monoxide detector, choose one with a reliable power source, such as battery-operated or plug-in models with battery backup. Test your detectors regularly and replace batteries as needed.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Leaks

One of the best ways to avoid the need for carbon monoxide testing is to prevent carbon monoxide leaks in the first place. Here are some essential steps you can take to minimise the risk of exposure:

• Schedule regular appliance inspections: Schedule annual inspections of any gas and other fuel-burning appliances with a licensed Metropolitan plumber or gas fitter.
• Maximise ventilation and airflow: Optimise ventilation throughout your home, especially in areas with fuel-burning appliances. Keep vents and chimneys unblocked to allow the smooth flow of gases outside. Exhaust fans in areas such as kitchens are also crucial for adequate ventilation.
• Use portable generators and gas heaters safely: Portable generators are for outdoor use only. Only use portable gas space heaters in rooms with suitable ventilation.
• Indoor grilling and cooking: Only use barbecues and stoves designed for outdoor use outside. Indoor use can result in dangerous carbon monoxide build-up, particularly when you have doors closed.
• Book carbon monoxide testing: Along with your yearly inspections of appliances and heating systems, book an annual carbon monoxide test for added peace of mind.

These preventative measures can significantly reduce the risk of CO spillage and carbon monoxide poisoning and keep your home a safe haven for everyone. Maintaining awareness and adopting proactive behaviours are crucial to protecting your family from this silent threat.

Steps to Take If You Suspect a Carbon Monoxide Leak

Act quickly if you or someone in your home has suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Take the following steps to ensure your safety:

1. Get out: Immediately leave the premises if you or anyone else experiences CO poisoning symptoms. Move to fresh air outdoors.
2. Call for help: Call emergency services and report the potential carbon monoxide leak. Don’t use your mobile inside the house, as it might spark and worsen the situation.
3. Don’t return inside: Under no circumstances should you re-enter the building until professionals have thoroughly inspected and confirmed it’s safe.
4. Seek medical attention: If anyone shows severe symptoms of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning or loss of consciousness, seek medical help right away.
5. Contact a professional: Call a qualified technician from Metropolitan Plumbing to perform carbon monoxide testing and fix the source of the leak before returning to your home.

Always remember that carbon monoxide exposure is a serious threat. Taking quick and decisive action can save lives and prevent further harm. For regular checks and expert gas appliance servicing, don’t hesitate to call the CO testing specialists at Metropolitan Plumbing.

Finance Options** For Carbon Monoxide Testing

Suspected CO spillage from one of your faulty gas appliances is not something to ignore. Nor should you delay repairs until your finances are looking healthier. If CO levels from your gas heater or kitchen stove are getting dangerous, your family is at risk.

Metropolitan Plumbing lets you arrange a payment solution easily; we work with buy now, pay later providers Zip and Humm to offer a range of finance options** for eligible customers. That way we can start work immediately while you pay in convenient instalments over a period that suits you.

Your plumber/gas fitter can take you through the easy application process on-site and approval usually takes only a few minutes. We also accept payment by cash, cheque and credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express).

Protect Your Family And Yourself With Expert CO Testing

From open flue gas heaters to hot water systems and everything in between, numerous appliances can cause unwanted and hazardous CO spillage. So don’t delay ensuring your safety and that of your family. You can have a Metropolitan gas fitter at your home within an hour* of your booking, testing your gas appliances and flues with all the suitable detection equipment. If you need help choosing a CO detector, we can also help.

If you are concerned about your appliances, call our Metropolitan team now or book one of our plumbers online and they will call you back promptly. We’ve got all the latest detection equipment to keep your home safe. Contact us today for more information or to book a local gas plumber today.