Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From Your Boiler


There is a risk of gas leaks with your boiler and central heating system, although they are rare, not taking the measures to look after your boilers plumbing and heating system can result in it needing a repair, breaking down or leaking carbon monoxide gas.

Causes of Boiler Carbon Monoxide Leaks

There are a few causes of carbon monoxide leaks that not only come from your boiler, but other household appliances.  For example:

Household appliances – Appliances that are badly installed by a plumber that is not certified can cause CO leaks. Appliances in rooms that are not properly ventilated or that have not been properly maintained can also leak CO gas. These can include boilers.

Blocked chimneys or flues – Chimneys and flues are installed to create an escape for gases to go through so your property doesn’t become suffocated with toxic gases. When this is blocked, gases and fumes from stoves or open fireplaces can’t escape from your home. If your chimney or flue is damaged or blocked, it can cause carbon monoxide to travel into your living room.

Fuel burning stoves – Solid fuel burning stoves and cookers should be installed with enough ventilation and a flue to allow the fumes the stove produces to escape. Because these appliances burn solid fuels, they should be used with extra caution and the area should be well ventilated to make sure the fumes and gases escape your home.

You should not burn fuel in an enclosed space. You should only burn fuel in an open or well ventilated area to avoid risks of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Appliances which burn coal, wood, oil or gas are potential sources for CO leaking. Carbon Monoxide is produced when the fuel is not combusted properly.

Boilers should be installed by a certified plumber and should be fitted to your property and the type of lifestyle you have. For example conventional boilers are traditional and can be found in most houses are good for big families. Combination boilers are better for homes with less storage space because they don’t need a tank in the loft.

Appliances which should be checked for CO leaks include:

·         Boilers
·         Cookers
·         Central heating systems
·         Open fires
·         Gas fires
·         Water heaters

The Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The dangerous effects of carbon monoxide poisoning can be distressing and lethal. It is hard to distinguish carbon monoxide poisoning from common illnesses like food poisoning and the flu. The following are some symptoms of CO gas poisoning, which include headaches, dizziness, confusion and nausea.

Symptoms of Low level exposure:

·         Shortness of breath
·         Mild nausea
·         Mild headaches
·         Fatigue in healthy people
·         Chest pain in people with heart disease

Symptoms of moderate exposure:

·         Headaches
·         Angina
·         Dizziness
·         Impaired vision
·         Mental confusion
·         Feeling faint
·         Nausea
·         Reduced brain function

If you are exposed to carbon monoxide gases from your boiler or any other appliances over a long period of time, it can be even more damaging to your body and mind. This needs immediate medical attention and should be brought to the attention of a Gas Safe Registered boiler plumber to drain the poisonous gas and prevent it from affecting your neighbours. Some symptoms of long term exposure include confusion, nausea, flue like symptoms that improve when you leave your home, headaches, dizziness, impaired vision and coordination, long term effects on your health and even death at very high concentrations.

Being exposed to carbon monoxide inhibits the formation of carbonhemoglobin in the blood stream and prevents oxygen from being absorbed into the blood stream. Your family and even your pets will experience the same effects when they enter your property.

What to Do If You Experience Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms

Seek fresh air – Open all the windows and doors in your property to get fresh air in. You should also turn off any appliances that burn fuel. At this point you should call your local emergency plumber to fix the problem for you. Handling gas can be dangerous, and a Gas Safe plumber will know how to safely get your gas working properly again.


Seek medical attention – Once you have realised these symptoms apply to you, you should visit your GP or go to A&E to seek medical attention. Inform the medical staff that you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and how long you have been exposed to the poisonous gas for.

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