We take carbon monoxide dangers seriously. Here’s how.

As HVAC professionals, we often remind homeowners that the systems keeping their homes warm during our long winters can also pose a hidden danger: carbon monoxide (CO). This odorless, colorless gas is often called "the silent killer" because it can go undetected.

At Martens Plumbing & Heating, one of our jobs is ensuring your appliances are not putting you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Making sure you’re safe

Whenever one of our technicians does any work on an appliance, whether it’s an annual inspection, an installation or a repair, they always check to be sure no CO leaks are occurring. If they detect a leak, they will notify you immediately and tell you the appropriate action to take.

Here’s what typically happens when we encounter signs of trouble when we’re servicing an appliance.

• Shut down the system: Our technician will turn off your furnace or appliance immediately to stop the release of carbon monoxide. Safety is always our first priority.

• Let you know: You will be informed about the situation, the severity of the leak, and the potential risks. Our technician will explain the source of the leak and what's needed to fix it.

• Ventilate the area: If carbon monoxide levels are elevated, we may recommend opening windows and doors to disperse the gas.

Repairing the CO leak

Once the issue is identified, our technician will recommend the best course of action, which could include repairing components to fix a loose connection or minor blockage or replacing faulty parts. It’s never good news, but sometimes an appliance is too old, inefficient, or unsafe to repair, and we’ll recommend replacing it.

After we diagnose and repair the problem, we’re still not done! There are remaining safety steps to take:

• Retest for carbon monoxide using specialized equipment.

• Verify that the furnace is operating efficiently and safely.

• Ensure your home is free of dangerous CO levels.

• Ask you to approve the repairs that are needed. You can always expect a clear explanation of what needs to be done and an estimate for the work.

• Ask you to avoid using the faulty appliance until repairs are complete and the system is safe.

Signs of a possible CO leak

You can detect signs of a problem before a technician visits your house. When you do, it’s important to take action right away. Signs include:

• Yellow or flickering burner flames in your furnace instead of blue.

• Soot or scorch marks near appliances.

• Excessive moisture on windows or walls.

• Physical symptoms in your household, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, or confusion.

And, of course, if you have CO detectors in your home, you’ll be alerted with an alarm. If the detector goes off or you suspect a leak:

• Evacuate immediately and ensure everyone, including pets, leaves the house.

• Call 911 or your local fire department from a safe location.

• Do not return home until professionals confirm it is safe.

• Call an HVAC technician to inspect and repair the faulty equipment.

We can help!

The technicians at Martens Plumbing & Heating will always check for carbon monoxide leaks when working on a gas appliance. It’s also a good idea to schedule annual inspections, which will give you peace of mind and help prevent surprise repairs. Give us a call today at (262) 363-7146.