How Do You Get Carbon Monoxide Out of Your House?

The immediate answer is simple: evacuate immediately and call 911. The longer answer involves identifying the source, ventilating the house once deemed safe by professionals, and taking steps to prevent future occurrences.

The Silent Killer: Understanding Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas, often referred to as the “silent killer” due to its insidious nature. It’s a byproduct of incomplete combustion, meaning it’s produced when fuels like natural gas, propane, oil, wood, or kerosene don’t burn completely. Exposure to even low levels of CO can cause serious health problems, and high concentrations can be fatal within minutes. Because it’s undetectable without specialized equipment, prevention and prompt action are crucial.

Recognizing the Danger Signs

Before we discuss removal, it’s critical to recognize the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. These can be easily mistaken for the flu but are a serious medical emergency:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness

If you experience these symptoms, especially if multiple people in your household are affected, immediately evacuate the building and call 911. Don’t try to find the source of the leak yourself.

Immediate Actions: Evacuation and Emergency Services

Your priority when a carbon monoxide alarm sounds or you suspect CO poisoning is immediate evacuation.

• Get everyone out: Don’t delay to gather belongings. Get everyone, including pets, out of the house as quickly as possible.
• Don’t re-enter: Do not re-enter the house for any reason until it has been deemed safe by professionals, such as the fire department or a qualified HVAC technician.
• Call 911: From a safe location, call 911 or your local emergency services number. Explain the situation and the symptoms you and others are experiencing. The fire department will typically arrive with CO detection equipment to assess the levels of CO in the house.
• Seek medical attention: Even if you feel better outside, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Carbon monoxide poisoning requires prompt treatment with oxygen.

Addressing the Source and Ventilating the House

Once emergency services have arrived and declared the house safe to enter (usually after they have ventilated the area), you can begin to address the source of the CO leak and ensure the remaining gas is removed. However, do not attempt this yourself before professionals have given the all-clear.

Identifying and Repairing the Source

The source of the CO leak must be identified and repaired to prevent future incidents. Common sources include:

• Faulty furnaces: A malfunctioning furnace is a common culprit.
• Blocked chimneys or flues: Obstructions prevent proper venting of combustion gases.
• Portable generators: Never operate a generator indoors or in an enclosed space like a garage.
• Gas-powered appliances: Gas stoves, ovens, water heaters, and dryers can produce CO if not properly maintained or vented.
• Vehicles left running in attached garages: Exhaust fumes can seep into the house.
• Cracked heat exchangers: These can leak CO into the air circulating through your home.

A qualified HVAC technician should inspect and repair any suspected appliance or system. Do not attempt to repair gas appliances yourself unless you are a qualified professional.

Ventilating the House Effectively

After the source has been addressed and deemed safe, ventilating the house helps to remove any remaining CO.

• Open windows and doors: This allows fresh air to circulate and displace the contaminated air. Open as many windows and doors as possible, creating cross-ventilation.
• Use fans: Place fans strategically to circulate air and push stale air outside. Avoid using exhaust fans in the kitchen or bathroom initially, as they can sometimes draw CO back into the house if the source is not completely eliminated. Once the fire department gives the okay, it is safe to use these.
• Run the HVAC system (after inspection): Once a qualified technician has inspected and cleared your HVAC system, running the fan can help circulate fresh air throughout the house.
• Monitor CO levels: Continue to monitor CO levels with a working CO detector to ensure they are decreasing.

Prevention: The Best Defense Against Carbon Monoxide

Prevention is the most effective way to protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Install and Maintain CO Detectors

• Install detectors on every level: Install at least one CO detector on each level of your home, including the basement and near sleeping areas.
• Check and replace batteries: Test your CO detectors monthly and replace the batteries at least twice a year, or according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Consider detectors with 10-year sealed batteries for increased reliability.
• Replace detectors regularly: CO detectors have a limited lifespan, typically 5-7 years. Replace them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Regular Appliance Maintenance

• Annual furnace inspection: Schedule an annual inspection and tune-up of your furnace by a qualified HVAC technician.
• Chimney cleaning: Have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually to ensure proper venting.
• Inspect gas appliances: Regularly inspect gas stoves, ovens, water heaters, and dryers for proper ventilation and any signs of malfunction.
• Never use gas appliances for heating: Do not use gas stoves or ovens to heat your home, as this can lead to CO buildup.

Safe Generator Use

• Never use indoors: Never use a portable generator inside your home, garage, or other enclosed space, even with ventilation.
• Place outdoors and away from windows and doors: Operate generators outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and vents.
• Install a CO detector with battery backup: Always have a CO detector with a battery backup installed in your home when using a generator.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long does it take for carbon monoxide to dissipate from a house?

The time it takes for carbon monoxide to dissipate depends on several factors, including the concentration of CO, the size of the house, and the effectiveness of ventilation. With good ventilation (opening windows and using fans), it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours for CO levels to return to safe levels. It’s crucial to continuously monitor CO levels with a detector to ensure they are consistently dropping.

2. Can I just open the windows to get rid of carbon monoxide?

Opening windows is a crucial first step in ventilating a house contaminated with CO. However, it may not be sufficient on its own, especially if the concentration is high or the house is large. Using fans to circulate air and identify/remedy the source of the leak is also critical. Always heed the advice of emergency responders.

3. What is a safe level of carbon monoxide in a house?

The EPA considers anything above 9 parts per million (ppm) dangerous for prolonged exposure. Most CO detectors will sound an alarm if levels reach this point. Ideally, you want CO levels as close to 0 ppm as possible.

4. Can a carbon monoxide detector detect other gases?

No. Carbon monoxide detectors are specifically designed to detect carbon monoxide. They will not detect other gases such as natural gas, propane, or smoke. You need separate detectors for those substances.

5. What should I do if my carbon monoxide detector keeps going off, even after airing out the house?

If your CO detector continues to alarm after you’ve aired out the house and believe the source has been addressed, it could indicate a persistent leak or a faulty detector. Leave the house again, call 911, and have a qualified technician inspect your appliances and CO detectors. Don’t ignore repeated alarms.

6. Is it safe to sleep in a house after a carbon monoxide leak?

Only after the house has been thoroughly ventilated, the source of the leak has been repaired, and a CO detector consistently reads 0 ppm. Even then, consider sleeping elsewhere for a night to be completely sure.

7. Can carbon monoxide poisoning cause long-term health problems?

Yes. Severe carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to long-term neurological problems, including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, personality changes, and even brain damage. Prompt medical treatment is crucial to minimizing these risks.

8. Does renters insurance cover carbon monoxide poisoning?

Typically, yes. Most renters insurance policies cover medical expenses and other damages resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning. However, it’s important to review your specific policy to confirm coverage. Additionally, landlords have a responsibility to maintain a safe living environment, including proper appliance maintenance and working CO detectors.

9. How often should I replace my carbon monoxide detector?

Carbon monoxide detectors have a limited lifespan. Most manufacturers recommend replacing them every 5-7 years, regardless of whether they appear to be functioning properly. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for specific replacement guidelines.

10. Can I use a handheld carbon monoxide detector to find a leak?

Handheld carbon monoxide detectors can be used to pinpoint the source of a leak, but this should only be done by trained professionals. Using a handheld detector yourself could be dangerous if you’re not familiar with the equipment or the risks involved.

11. Does my landlord have to provide carbon monoxide detectors?

Most states and local jurisdictions have laws requiring landlords to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors in rental properties. Check your local laws to determine your landlord’s specific obligations. If your landlord is not providing detectors, notify them in writing and request that they be installed immediately.

12. What kind of carbon monoxide detector is best?

The “best” carbon monoxide detector depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, look for detectors that are certified by a recognized testing laboratory (like UL or ETL). Consider detectors with digital displays that show CO levels, as well as those with 10-year sealed batteries for increased reliability. Choose a detector that meets your budget and comfort level with features like voice alerts or smartphone connectivity.