Water Heaters - possible carbon monoxiside leak
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : possible carbon monoxiside leak
flirty1
09-10-09, 02:36 PM
Ok i have a rheem gas water heater installed back in 97. i noticed today that when i pressed the history button on the CO meter it read 7PPM. i put a small mirror on the outside of the flu ontop of the water heater when it turned on and it fogged up a bit. is that good or bad. i did not put the mirror on the inside but the outside resting on the cold water pipe fill pipe. so far no readings on the meter which is in the living room. i noticed the dryer vent was loose so i tightened that.
Gunguy45
09-10-09, 03:09 PM
Well..heres this..."The Federal Standard for exposure limits in the home is 50 ppm (parts per million). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard for ambient air is 9 ppm averaged over an eight-hour period and 35 ppm for one hour. These limits are for healthy adult people. Consideration should be given for exposure of children, people over 65, and people with specific health conditions. " from this site...Carbon Dioxide compared to Carbon Monoxide (http://www.dupagehealth.org/health_alert/co2_alert.html)
Was the meter reading instantaneous? Highest recorded?
The WH flue would fog due to the moisture in the exhaust.
Was the meter reading instantaneous? Highest recorded?
The WH flue would fog due to the moisture in the exhaust.
flirty1
09-10-09, 04:23 PM
i just hit the memory button on the meter and it showed 7. i don't know how far back the reading was. i will have to dig around and find the manual for it. its a electric one by night hawk.
GregH
09-13-09, 03:51 PM
If the highest reading in memory is seven then you have nothing to worry about.
Check the manual to see if you are able to clear the memory and then do it to start over.
Check the manual to see if you are able to clear the memory and then do it to start over.
SeattlePioneer
09-15-09, 06:26 AM
A variety of fuel burning appliances can cause carbon monoxide in a house. A common problem is a car left to idle in a garage, or even outdoors if the garage door is left open so that exhaust gasses can enter.
A reading of 7 PPM isn't a problem, but you might want to consider what might have caused it --- such as an auto exhaust.
At other times of the year an auto exhaust might cause much higher reading than you are getting now, since cars may be left to idle longer to warm up in cold weather.
A reading of 7 PPM isn't a problem, but you might want to consider what might have caused it --- such as an auto exhaust.
At other times of the year an auto exhaust might cause much higher reading than you are getting now, since cars may be left to idle longer to warm up in cold weather.
shacko
09-15-09, 03:06 PM
You can't detect carbon monoxide with a mirror. If you are concerned about it do you have a detector near your bedroom? thats the recommended site for safety. :eek: