** Carbon Monoxide and Your Home **
Colorado’s Carbon Monoxide Detector Law
Home Inspections & Carbon Monoxide
Identifying potential carbon monoxide issues is one of the most important roles of the Home Inspector. Unlike other potential hazards, carbon monoxide has no taste, is colorless, odorless and deadly. There are no quick, easy and simple methods to identify the potential hazards. It takes a conscious effort and extensive knowledge of all the potential sources of this insidious gas. Many times, potential sources are subtle, well disguised, intermittent, or may take a combination of events to become a hazard. When it comes to identifying carbon monoxide issues, experience is invaluable.
Testing for Carbon Monoxide Levels
There are a variety of high quality instruments that test for carbon monoxide levels. None of which are appropriate for use during a Home Inspection. These instruments are designed for use by trained technicians during the diagnosis, servicing or repair of combustion equipment. That is not the role of the Home Inspector. In my opinion, using instruments to measure carbon monoxide levels can actually result in complacency on the part of the inspector and give a false sense of security to their clients. Electronics are quick and easy to use, making them easy to rely on rather than carefully inspecting all the potential sources for the subtle signs of problems. In short, a Home Inspector should never measure carbon monoxide levels.
Identifying Potential Carbon Monoxide Problems
First, the Home Inspector should identify all potential sources of carbon monoxide production in the house and then carefully evaluate each of those sources for correct installation and operation. All visible sections of the flue piping, combustion air sources, ventilation and access to the equipment must be included in the search for potential carbon monoxide problems.
Some Potential Sources of Carbon Monoxide
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Low levels of CO
- flu-like symptoms
- slight headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- fatigue
Medium exposure
- throbbing headache
- drowsiness
- confusion
- fast heart rate
Very high levels
- Unconsciousness
- convulsions
- death
Notice that one of the symptoms is confusion...In Minnesota a man was arrested for DWI on a country road near his home. The following day his son was found dead in their home of CO poisoning. It was later determined that the father was in fact experiencing the effects of high levels of CO and was not intoxicated.
Other accounts have shown that this confusion inhibits the victims ability to even make a decision to call for help.
If there is one carbon monoxide symptom to remember...flu-like symptoms. Remember that if other members become ill at the same time, this would also be an indication of possible elevated CO levels. Also keep in mind that long-term low levels can have long-term health effects.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Problems
- Service all combustion equipment at the intervals specified by the manufacturer.
- Inspect all flue piping and chimneys on a regular basis. At least yearly.
- Never leave the car running in the garage, even with the door open.
- Only use combustion equipment as designed. ie... do not use the gas range/oven for space heating.
- When in doubt, always use caution. Do not ignore signs and symptoms.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors throughout the house.
- When purchasing a carbon monoxide detector, use quality, not price, as the determining factor.
- Never ignore a carbon monoxide detector if the alarm sounds.
