Can a Water Heater Cause Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Any home systems that rely on natural gas open the door to a carbon monoxide leak, including our water heaters. The machines we rely on every day are fallible, and it’s important to have all of the facts to detect a leak before it endangers you or a family member. Here is how a water heater can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, and what signs you should look for to determine a leak.

There are three main, preventable reasons that a water heater can cause carbon monoxide poisoning: the appliance wasn’t installed properly in the first place, the homeowner neglects it and doesn’t perform proper maintenance, and the surrounding area isn’t properly ventilated, leaving the gas with nowhere to escape should it leak. At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Northwest Houston, we can attest that all of these issues can be resolved with a professional look.

Carbon monoxide is not only deadly, it’s also undetectable without proper equipment. The gas is colorless and odorless, and most of the time, household residents learn they have a leak by the resulting health effects. The scariest part about carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms is that they seem commonplace until they progress. Irreversible brain damage, cardiac conditions, and fatality are realities of carbon monoxide leaks. All the same, members of your household that experience symptoms like headaches, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, confusion, blurry vision, loss of consciousness, or vomiting without any explanation should seek medical attention right away. These inexplicable symptoms also warrant an inspection of your gas appliances, and a carbon monoxide detector if your property does not have a functioning one. Address the ventilation problem, too, as it may save your household further problems should a carbon monoxide leak ever occur again.

When you call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Northwest Houston for water heater services, you can trust in the quality of our workmanship and know that we will help maintain the safety of your home. Contact our team 24/7 by calling 346-222-5262.