While it’s mandated for residents to have smoke detectors in their houses, fewer homeowners know about the importance of installing devices that detect you about the presence of carbon monoxide. Depending on which fixtures and heating sources your home uses, you may be at risk for a potential leak, so it’s worth starting a conversation with your plumber. Here is a primer on the useful device to get you up to speed. 

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a gas that is produced whenever there is a combustion reaction. While it’s true that there is always some already in the air, it’s in trace amounts and not enough to affect humans. But when large amounts are released, it can have severe medical consequences for residents. 

Brief exposure can lead to dizziness, vomiting, and fatigue, while extended exposure can even be fatal. The challenge of the gas is that it isn’t possible to see, smell, or taste. That’s where the detector comes in—usually, the device releases a sulfur smell when the carbon monoxide levels have become too high, so residents will sense the odor of rotten eggs and known to vacate the premises. 

When Do You Need a Detector?

The first step to knowing if you need a detector is to find out if you have any carbon monoxide-producing appliances in your home. With the help of a plumber, do a complete inventory of your house. Wood-burning stoves, oil and natural gas furnaces, and anything else that burns fuel could be a potential problem.

There is no need to get rid of any of these appliances. The release of the gas tends to happen when they are very poorly maintained, and serious clogs or ruptures result. By remembering to schedule maintenance visits with your plumber or other technician, and installing a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of the home, you’ll be creating a much safer environment. 

If you believe there to be any carbon monoxide risk factors in your home, it’s wise to talk to a respected plumber like K & G Plumbing & Heating in Hastings, NE, immediately. With over 25 years of experience and membership in the Better Business Bureau, the residential plumbing company will help you safeguard your gas units to avoid a potential leak. You can speak to one of their veteran technicians by calling (402) 463-4470 or by sending a message through their website.