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Understanding Gas Leak Detection and Prevention
Gas fireplaces are a heating solution that offers ease and convenience for homeowners. While still offering a cozy, warm environment, this option took away the need to haul wood logs and tediously tend to the fire. However, with any great thing comes room for consideration of the drawbacks. Unfortunately, gas fireplaces have the small potential of omitting gas into your home. While it is rare, due to the safety concerns surrounding it, it’s important to know how to prepare for it and what to do if it happens.
Gas Leak Detection
Gas used in gas fireplaces contains carbon monoxide, so if there is a leak it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. This is a serious concern that can lead to brain, heart, and respiratory issues, and in severe cases, even death. Luckily, we have tools to detect when the levels are high and pose a risk to humans and animals inside the building.
This means the most important prevention tactic is ensuring your CO2 and smoke detectors are functioning. Like we mentioned above, there is the risk of a gas leak. If this happens, your functioning CO2 monitor will sound and alert you of the high levels. Otherwise, the gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless so you wouldn’t even know it’s present! This is why it’s known as the silent killer. So, if you take anything from this article, it’s to check your CO2 and smoke detectors.
If your batteries are out, or the detector is otherwise malfunctioning, it’s important to know signs of poisoning. The most common symptoms to look for are:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Unconsciousness
Of course, any of these symptoms can be present for a number of reasons, but it’s important you don’t ignore these.
Gas Leak Prevention
Now that we know how important it is, let’s go over other common signs to look out for if you suspect a leak.
- Rotten eggs is a sign of a leak — don’t ignore it
- Dust, dirt, or debris in your fireplace
- Hissing or other unusual sounds
- Dead or yellow grass around your gas lines outside
Fireplace Inspection
Lastly, the most important prevention tactic is to keep up on your fireplace inspections. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) highly encourages annual inspections — especially for wood burning fireplaces. But, it is good to have regular and experienced eyes on your gas fireplace to catch any early issues.
Ready to install or service a gas fireplace?
If you’re in the Minneapolis area, Twin City Fireplace, Masonry, and Chimney are the full-service experts to call. We have locations in Edina and Woodbury, MN with highly trained and experienced staff to help with any questions pertaining to gas fireplaces.
We specialize in the sale, service, and installation of gas and wood-burning fireplaces for indoor and outdoor spaces. We’re also licensed general contractors, gas fitters, and skilled masons to give you a seamless experience from the first call to the finished installation. Contact us today in Edina at 952-941-2685 or Woodbury at 651-204-0112.