Chimneys and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Get out of the house and phone 911 if there is a fire or if you have any cause to fear that carbon monoxide is entering your home. DO NOT REENTER THE HOME UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED CONFIRMATION FROM THE AUTHORITIES THAT IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.

What exactly is carbon monoxide, abbreviated as CO? How does it take place, and what can we do to prevent it from taking place in our own homes? On your home maintenance checklist, these are all crucial questions, but they are also items that are frequently ignored.

Even though the majority of people are aware of the risks associated with gas appliances, the fact that fireplaces and chimneys may also be sources of carbon monoxide poisoning sometimes comes as a surprise to them. Yes, chimneys are actually capable of drawing carbon monoxide back into the living space of a house. Therefore, it is a good idea to educate yourself as much as possible on how to prevent invisible danger from entering your home.

What is the significance of carbon monoxide’s reputation as the “Silent Killer”?
This potentially lethal gas found in homes has been referred to by a few different names over the years. The answer to your question about why carbon monoxide (CO) is referred to as the “Silent Killer” or the “Invisible Killer,” or as seen in the CDC Video, the “Quiet Killer,” may be found in the names themselves.

Carbon monoxide is extremely hazardous due to the fact that it does neither float or sink and is, in fact, lighter than air. Without the assistance of a technology that can detect its existence, carbon monoxide is dangerous since it mingles with the air around it and cannot be seen, heard, felt, or tasted. The molecules of carbon monoxide are so small that they are able to pass through drywall without being blocked.
CO is a naturally occurring gas that can be fatal due to the fact that it is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Additionally, there are often no signs that can warn us to issues that are developing inside the body until it is too late.

It’s a depressing subject, but for the sake of our homes and families, we all need to take a moment to think about it. The repercussions are quite real and should never be minimized in any way, despite the fact that contemplating them is uncomfortable.

This video was filmed by one of our chimney sweeps from the rooftop of one of our customers, and he explains how it relates to carbon monoxide in the following sentence. What you are seeing may not be obvious at first, but it illustrates one manner in which chimneys can force carbon monoxide back inside a home. What you are looking at may not be obvious at first.

The collapse of the masonry chimney caused older bricks from the chimney to fall into the top of the chimney, where they were lodged. This blocked the channel that allowed smoke and toxins from fires burning below to escape. This hole is designed to allow the passage of oxygen, smoke, and natural gases like carbon monoxide. In the event that the smoke is unable to leave the chimney in a secure manner, the carbon monoxide that is produced will have nowhere else to go other than back into your home.

Even if you look up inside your chimney, it’s unlikely that you’ll see a blockage this high up in the structure. As seen in the video, blockages are not visible from the interior of the home or fireplace. As a result, the majority of people will not receive any advance warning and will not be aware that it occurred. This is why you should have a reliable Chimney Cleaning Vallecito company to help you. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today!

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