What to Do If Your Water Heater is Leaking Carbon Monoxide

If your water heater has been improperly installed, has not been tuned up for a long time, or needs to be better ventilated, you could have a carbon monoxide leak in your home. Carbon monoxide leaks are never to be messed with and need urgent attention. In this article, we'll explore what to do if your water heater is leaking carbon monoxide and how to prevent them from occurring in the first place.

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If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak or your carbon monoxide alarm is sounding the alert, ensure everybody is evacuated from your home immediately. If anybody is showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning (dizziness, headache, upset stomach, vomiting, weakness, chest pain, or confusion), call 911 right away.

Once you have got everybody safely outside and away from danger, it's time to get a licensed and experienced emergency plumber on the case. They will arrive and work on identifying the problem and stopping the leak in its tracks. Here are just some of the checks and procedures your plumber should follow to fix your system and keep you safe:

Dust and debris can build up in your vents over time and create a blockage. When carbon monoxide cannot escape through your vents or the chimney flue, it could find its way into your home. The exhaust vents are one of the first areas your plumber will check to locate the cause of the leak. Any debris will be completely removed, and your system will be tested to ensure carbon monoxide is no longer being released.

Your gas lines are designed to carry gas safely to your water heater and keep fumes away from the home environment. However, they can be vulnerable to faults, especially if they have been damaged or are coming to the end of their natural life. Your plumber will test your gas lines thoroughly, recommending repair or replacement as necessary.

Water heaters work exceptionally well most of the time. However, they are not immune to faults. From leaking vent pipes to blockages and faulty internal components, many problems could cause carbon monoxide to leak from your system. Once your plumber has checked the exhaust vents and gas line connections, they will turn their attention to your water heater and get it back up and running perfectly.

You undoubtedly have smoke detectors in your home, but are carbon monoxide detectors installed? Carbon monoxide is a silent, odorless, and colorless killer, one of the most significant safety risks for homeowners today. Because it's so difficult to detect, you must have carbon monoxide detectors protecting your family. These inexpensive but invaluable devices will sound an alarm the moment they detect dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in the air.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends that there should be a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your home, including in the basement and garage. They should be placed within 10 feet of each bedroom door to ensure the alert is heard during the night when everybody is sleeping. All detectors should be attached to the wall or ceiling so they are permanent fixtures and always primed and ready to sound the alarm.

Your carbon monoxide detector must be working at all times. Replace batteries twice a year, at least. You can test your detector periodically by pressing the front button. If your unit is malfunctioning, replace it immediately. Detectors have a life expectancy of around five years, so replace them accordingly.

When was the last time you arranged a tune-up for your water heater? Doing so will keep your system running efficiently, extend its lifespan, and keep carbon monoxide leaks at bay. Our plumbers are experts in water heater maintenance and will carry out an extensive list of checks to ensure your system is working perfectly. You can count on Jon Wayne to give you exceptional service. In fact, we give you a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Annual maintenance isn't just necessary to keep energy and repair costs down. It's essential for the safety of your family.

We'll always try to repair your water heater in the first instance if we can. However, if it is more economical to arrange a replacement or your system is too unsafe to use, we can give you options on replacing it. We'll always give you an honest and fair upfront price. From tank heaters to tankless water heaters, we offer a wide selection of systems designed to provide you with hot water when needed. Ask us about our tankless water heaters. They provide constant hot water on demand, and are very efficient.

Need emergency repairs? Contact the crew at Jon Wayne today. We're dedicated to keeping your home safe and comfortable with plumbing services you can trust. We always provide 5-star service performed by experienced, licensed plumbers. We also offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. So, if you’re unsatisfied with our work, we’ll make it right. Call (210) 293-6700 or request your free estimate online to get started.