Don't Fall Prey to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning This Winter

During the summer, most of us want to do get as much fresh air into our homes as possible. But come the winter months, it's the opposite and we try to seal them up as tightly as we can to prevent any loss of heat. While this might seem sensible, it does increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. This is more likely if you have older appliances that haven't been properly serviced, or if you have neglected to book that furnace service this year. It's also very easy to mistake the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning for flu. Symptoms can include suffering from a headache, feeling dizzy, nausea or vomiting, and feeling exhausted, and all of these can be attributed to other causes. This can sometimes lead to the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning being misdiagnosed so the problem continues unresolved. The trouble is that carbon monoxide is completely invisible and odorless, and trying to detect a leak can be quite tricky.

Carbon Monoxide Leak Detection

It is possible to have a carbon monoxide leak detection device installed. These are designed to give out an alarm signal if they detect abnormal levels of carbon monoxide in the home. However some of these detectors are better than others, as some will let the carbon monoxide reach dangerous levels before sounding the alarm, while others are designed to go off at the slightest sign of carbon monoxide. It is best to have carbon monoxide leak detection units in each bedroom, as well as in communal areas. This is because it is quite possible to be overcome with carbon monoxide fumes during the night, and to be too sleepy to do anything about it until it is too late. These types of devices need to be properly installed as otherwise they won't be able to operate to the maximum efficiency. For instance they need to be a certain distance from fuel-burning appliances as otherwise they are likely to give false readings and will go off when there is no real cause for alarm. This could lead to complacency when there is an actual danger.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Leaks

Obviously carbon monoxide leak detection measures are all a very good to have, but it's far better to minimize the risk of any leaks by making sure appliances are properly installed and operated. It really is essential to adhere to manufacturer required maintenance schedules for appliances, and to make sure everything is serviced properly and is regularly inspected. Any chimneys and flues should be checked for blockages, and appliances need to be checked to make sure there aren't any loose connections. All these types of appliances need to be serviced by properly qualified professionals.

Common Sense Hints for Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

In addition to having appliances properly serviced, there are several things you can do to minimize your chances of carbon monoxide leaks. Most of these are merely down to common sense and includes such things as making sure air can flow properly through appliances and that any flues aren't blocked. This is especially important if you are renovating your home, as it's also easy to block up chimneys and flues with debris. Any carbon monoxide detection alarms should be regularly checked to make sure they are working properly.

Radon Mitigation during Winter Months

During the summer, radon may not be such a problem for homes, but there is the possibility it could build up during the winter when your home is more likely to be sealed up to keeping heat. Radon occurs naturally, and is a radioactive gas that can collect in the soil, rock and water surrounding your home. It's drawn into the home due to the difference in air pressure in your home's foundation compared to the surrounding soil that causes the foundations to act like a vacuum, forcing the gas in through cracks and openings. 

Taking Radon Seriously

Radon is definitely something that should be taken seriously, as it is the second most common reason for lung cancer within the general population, and is the main cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers. If you think your home may be at risk of having higher levels of radon, it's important to get it properly tested, so that the levels can be reduced.

Getting a Qualified Radon Mitigation Contractor to Fix Radon Levels

It is important to get a properly qualified radon mitigation contractor to thoroughly assess your home so the radon problem can be fixed. This is because they'll need to set up tests to assess the radon levels both before and after the radon mitigation work. In addition they should be able to tell you exactly how long the work will take to complete, and will thoroughly inspect the structure of your home before giving you an estimate. The diagnostic tests need to be completed beforehand in order for the correct type of radon reduction system to be chosen, as obviously different cases can differ considerably. One thing to be aware of is that the radon reduction system is likely to cause the loss of some heated air, and you may see an increase in your energy bills.

Techniques Used to Reduce Radon Levels

There are several different techniques that can be used to reduce radon levels in the home. Some are designed to reduce radon levels after the gas has entered the home, while others rely on reducing the amount of gas entering the property. The type of technique used is likely to be dependent upon the construction of your home, so it can be helpful if you have this information available for your contractor. It's preferable to choose a system that prevents the radon from entering the property, and one method is called soil suction. This works by extracting the radon from the soil below your home before venting it through a pipe to the air surrounding the home where it can be safely dispersed. Another technique works by sealing up all the cracks in the foundation, and this is a pretty basic approach to reducing radon levels. Yet another technique relies on pressurizing a room or home through using a fan to blow air into the lower levels of the home in an attempt to create a sufficient pressure to prevent the radon from entering the property. This isn't a particularly popular technique as it does rely on the doors and windows remaining closed, and may mean the introduction of more outside air into the home. It's likely this technique would only be tried if others have failed to reduce radon levels sufficiently.