Safeguarding Your Home: AmeriSpec Understands the Importance of Carbon Monoxide Testing
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. While it's often associated with car exhaust, carbon monoxide can also leak from faulty appliances and heating systems within your home, posing a serious health risk. Regular carbon monoxide inspections are crucial for ensuring the safety of your family and identifying potential dangers before they escalate. Here are some of the symptoms associated with carbon monoxide exposure:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be easily mistaken for the flu or other common illnesses. Because it is odorless and colorless, it's vital to have working carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home to alert you to its presence.
However, detectors alone are not enough. Regular inspections are essential for identifying potential sources of carbon monoxide leaks and preventing them from occurring in the first place.
When to Schedule Carbon Monoxide Testing With AmeriSpec
There are several situations that warrant a carbon monoxide inspection:
- Moving Into a New Home: Before moving into a new home, especially an older one, it's crucial to have a CO inspection conducted to ensure the safety of the appliances and heating systems.
- Selling Your Home: Many real estate transactions require a passing carbon monoxide inspection before the sale can be finalized.
- After Fuel-Burning Appliance Installation: Following the installation of any new fuel-burning appliance, such as a furnace, water heater or fireplace, a carbon monoxide inspection is recommended to verify proper installation and functionality.
- Regular Maintenance: Ideally, you should schedule a CO inspection alongside your annual furnace and heating system maintenance to ensure everything is functioning safely and efficiently.
- After Experiencing Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarms: If your CO detector goes off, it's essential to evacuate the house immediately and call emergency services. Once the danger has passed, a carbon monoxide inspection is necessary to identify the source of the leak and prevent future occurrences.
What to Expect During an AmeriSpec Carbon Monoxide Inspection
A qualified inspector will conduct a thorough evaluation of your home's potential carbon monoxide sources, typically following these steps and more:
- Visual Inspection: The inspector will visually inspect all fuel-burning appliances, including furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and gas ranges. They will check for proper venting, signs of corrosion or damage, and ensure no flammable materials are stored too close to the appliances.
- CO Level Testing: The inspector will utilize portable carbon monoxide detectors to measure CO levels throughout your home, particularly near fuel-burning appliances and in sleeping areas.