![]() ![]() There are two main ways to avoid illness from carbon monoxide poisoning in your home - detection and prevention.ĭetection begins with the simple installation of carbon monoxide detectors. Depending on how many gas appliances you have, the inspector could be in and out in as little as 15 to 20 minutes. ![]() Professional testers will use a mobile machine and spend 10 to 15 minutes per gas appliance in your home. The good news is if you decide to pay for a professional to test the carbon monoxide levels in your home, it’s a very smooth and quick process. Pets are also sensitive to carbon monoxide, and due to their smaller size, they often experience fatal symptoms before humans are aware that anything is amiss. An example of a time that you would want to test for carbon monoxide independently, even if you have detectors, is if several people in your home start experiencing the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning at the same time or if you have a family pet who passes away suddenly. It’s worth noting, however, that bringing a professional to test specifically for carbon monoxide is generally only done if you have a particular concern. You can pay for a third-party to test for carbon monoxide in your home, the supplies for a pre-sale or pre-purchase inspection, and if you already own the home and are checking just to be safe. Note that this is for the existence and functionality of carbon monoxide detectors only home inspectors won’t look for the presence of the actual gas itself. The presence of carbon monoxide detectors is something that your inspector will check for and detail in your home inspection report. ![]() Home inspectors are trained to assess the quality and condition of your home’s essential systems like its foundation, structure, roof, electrical, and HVAC. Because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, mobile detection requires specific instruments and training. The short answer to the question, “Is carbon monoxide detection included in a home inspection?” is no. Poor maintenance or ventilation causes a backup of carbon monoxide, resulting in the concentration inside your home. These appliances alone are not dangerous - the trouble arises when they are not adequately maintained or ventilated. The most common culprits for causing increased carbon monoxide levels in your home are gas appliances like dryers, stoves and fireplaces, as well as wood-burning fireplaces. With headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and fatigue being the primary symptoms, carbon monoxide poisoning is very tough to catch. One of the sneakiest things about carbon monoxide is that it is colorless and odorless, and its symptoms are also stereotypically flu-like. When these things are burnt, they release carbon monoxide into the air, ordinarily present at small levels but becoming dangerous as the concentration increases. This knowledge is important because, with it, we become more aware of how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause illness or be fatal at high levels.Ĭarbon monoxide is a byproduct of burning things like fossil fuels, wood, and coal. Despite this unsettling statistic, many of us only know that carbon monoxide is bad, but not exactly how it comes to be in our homes. Over 400 Americans tragically pass away each year due to carbon monoxide poisoning. ![]() In this article, we’ll go through what exactly home inspectors consider when it comes to carbon monoxide for both the presence and detection of this insidious gas. If you’re at the stage of getting a pre-purchase home inspection done, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the number of details you’ve already had to consider. ![]()
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