Keeping Your Home Carbon Monoxide Free

Often referred to as the silent killer, Carbon Monoxide is responsible for 50,000 emergency room visits and over 400 deaths every year. An odorless, tasteless, and poisonous gas, Carbon Monoxide (CO) can enter your home unknowingly and must be taken very seriously. When you inhale CO, it displaces the oxygen in your blood with carbon monoxide, depriving your vital organs of O2 which can be very dangerous, even deadly. Everything that burns fuel; that includes furnaces, fireplaces, generators, gas appliances, and cars produce a toxic by-product called carbon monoxide (CO).

The most common sources of carbon monoxide in the home are:

• Gas powered space heaters

• Chimneys and Furnaces

• Back-drafting (blowback from improperly vented appliances)

• Gas Stoves

• Generators

• Automobile exhaust

Steps to Keep Your Home Carbon Monoxide Free

• Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home and change the battery often.

• When using gas powered appliances and heaters in the home, ensure that you have proper ventilation. Hire a professional to inspect and verify that all the pipes and joints are properly fitted and leak-free.

• Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace and chimney by a licensed professional can prevent harmful creosote and soot from building up. An obstructed chimney, be it from creosote, soot, animals, or debris can cause reverse air flow, allowing carbon monoxide to enter the home. A yearly inspection by a reputable and experienced chimney sweep will ensure the safety of your fireplace family for years to come.

• Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside an enclosed space, including your garage and basement unless you have it professionally installed and vented.

• Never burn charcoal indoors.

• Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors.

• Never use a gas range or oven as a heater. This can easily cause a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide inside your home.

When it comes to your home and your family, you are always better safe than sorry. We all know that hindsight is 20/20, so take the preventive measures to protect your the ones you love. Schedule an appointment with Asheville Chimney Repair professionals today.