Gas Line & Carbon Monoxide Testing

Note: These tests are only necessary if the heating and/or hot
          water heater are gas, propane or oil fired.

Gas Lines are checked using an electronic gas detector on all the exposed joints, couplings and valves. The lines are examined and checked for leaks. Any suspected leaks are confirmed using gas leak detection soap. All leaks are "flagged" for repair using marker ribbon .

All exposed gas lines in the habitable areas of the building are inspected. All terminations are inspected for safety caps.

Gas logs and stoves are included in the inspection.

Carbon Monoxide  (CO) levels are checked using a combination of two electronic detection devices.  Areas around the furnace and hot water heater are monitored for any out gassing of carbon monoxide. The flue pipes and their connections on any gas furnaces, boilers or hot water heaters or oil burning appliances are checked for leaks using an electronic detector. 

The heating registers are monitored for any carbon monoxide build up, that would indicate a serious problem with the heating system. The most likely cause of high levels of carbon monoxide from the heating registers would be a cracked heat exchanger. 
A cracked heat exchanger is rarely replaced, in most cases the whole furnace needs to be replaced.

A reading of 000ppm of carbon monoxide in the air is perfect. Any increase should be investigated and any increase of "009"ppm (parts per million) or levels exceeding this level will need repair or evaluation by a qualified heating contractor.

Note: On inspections we average finding a gas leak on one in six houses when inspecting older homes,  and one in 15 homes on new construction. Carbon monoxide's average (for us) for elevated levels needing attention,  is approximately one home in one 60. 

<Back to fee 

| Welcome to BIS | About BIS | Home Inspections | Get Started  | Technical FAQ | Contact us |