What Are the Signs of a Carbon Monoxide Gas Leak?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the “silent killer” for a reason. It’s colorless, scentless and hard to notice without the right tools. If it accumulates in your home, it can quickly become a serious hazard for you and your family. So, how do you stay safe against something you can’t see, smell or taste?

The key is to install carbon monoxide detectors. These alarms are the first line of defense, warning you about the presence of CO gas before the situation reaches dangerous levels. But besides a detector going off, how can you tell if there’s a carbon monoxide leak in your home? These are 10 warning signs to be aware of.

1. Condensation on Windows Nearby Appliances

If you see heavy condensation on your windows, particularly near a gas-powered device like a gas fireplace, this could suggest that ventilation isn’t working properly. While condensation by itself may not mean CO, this clue deserves a closer look.

2. Yellow or Brown Stains

Fuel-powered appliances should always have unobstructed ventilation. If you notice brownish-yellow or soot-like stains around a heating system, fireplace or boiler, there may be combustion issues. This can be a sign of a carbon monoxide issue.

3. Exhaust Fumes Indoors

If you start to smell or see exhaust fumes indoors, you are in danger of carbon monoxide leaks. Fuel-burning appliances like cars, charcoal grills and generators should exclusively be used safely outside the home to prevent an accumulation of exhaust fumes indoors.

4. Soot in or Around a Natural Gas-Burning Fireplace

Your fireplace vent should remove smoke and other gases through the chimney. Seeing soot buildup around your fireplace is a red flag, especially if there’s an unusual amount. A blocked chimney vent could be the culprit for why carbon monoxide is backdrafting into your home.

5. Increasingly Weak or No Draft from Your Chimney

On the topic of chimneys, a properly working one needs the steady pull to fully ventilate smoke and other fumes. If you notice a weak draft or even no draft at all, your chimney may be blocked, sending carbon monoxide backward.

6. Discolored or Weak Flames

All appliances that use gas should produce a clear blue flame. Whenever the flame is yellow or flickering (and you don’t have a decorative gas fireplace), it can mean the gas is burning inefficiently and might be releasing carbon monoxide.

7. Solid Fuel Fires Aren’t Burning as Fast

When your wood-burning stove is burning slower than usual or has trouble even staying on, it could have a problem with airflow, raising the risk of CO buildup.

Signs You May Have CO Poisoning

If you miss the first red flags of a carbon monoxide leak in time, the next warning could come from your health and well-being. Symptoms of CO poisoning include:

Flu-like symptoms
Headaches
Dizziness
Nausea or vomiting
Shortness of breath
Confusion
And fatigue

If you or anyone in your home suddenly feels sick, especially together with any of the previously mentioned clues, move outdoors immediately and contact emergency services.

Prevent CO Poisoning and Gas Leaks with These Safety Tips

Taking all the proper precautions is key, especially in the case of CO gas exposure. First, make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors in appropriate places. Building codes mandate them outside every bedroom, on each level of your home and in rooms with appliances like a gas stove or water heater. For an additional safety measure, it’s smart to install interconnected detectors so that when one detects carbon monoxide, all of them will raise the alarm. Test these detectors monthly and swap them out when necessary, usually every five to seven years.

Besides using carbon monoxide detectors, don’t forget these other tips: