Your water heater is an essential part of creating a comfortable environment for you and your family. But could it also make you sick? Aris Parviz of Able Air-1, Inc. says, “Yes, definitely.” If improperly maintained or damaged, your water heater can pose serious health and safety risks. Here Parviz talks about some common safety issues associated with home water heaters.
Your water heater, particularly if it’s an older, gas-burning model, can pose a number of safety hazards for you and your family. Proper ventilation, regular maintenance and homeowner awareness all play important roles in keeping your family safe from the dangers associated with your water heater. Let’s look at a few of the most serious risks associated with water heaters and gas-burning appliances in general.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious, possibly fatal situation that can arise when any gas-burning appliance in your home is damaged, improperly installed or inadequately maintained. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause brain damage or even death. The leading cause of accidental poisoning in the United States, carbon monoxide is a real and all-too-common danger with gas-burning water heaters.
Carbon monoxide is produced when any type of fuel is burned. Normally, carbon monoxide is ventilated to the outside of the home. Carbon monoxide buildup occurs, however, when gas-burning appliances like water heaters are not properly ventilated. Because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, it’s impossible to detect until you or someone in your family becomes ill. The first symptoms are usually similar to the flu — headaches, nausea and fatigue — so they’re often ignored. But long-term exposure can be deadly; and children, infants and individuals with chronic health conditions are at particular risk.
To prevent a carbon monoxide leak, it’s important to have your water heater (and all gas-burning appliances) inspected and cleaned at least once per year. In addition to properly maintaining your fuel-burning appliances, it’s important to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Natural Gas
Gas leaks are a risk with any gas-burning appliance and are particularly common with older water heater models. Unlike carbon monoxide, natural gas has a “rotten egg” smell thanks to an additive provided by the gas company. This smell is added to enable a home’s inhabitants to detect a leak quickly and evacuate. When inhaled, natural gas first causes mild symptoms like headaches and dizziness, but can quickly cause much more serious health problems.
An undetected natural gas leak is dangerous. The biggest risk associated with natural gas build-up is an explosion. Because natural gas is extremely flammable, the smallest spark can cause a catastrophic explosion and fire. To minimize the potential for your water heater to cause a natural gas leak, keep the area around the unit clear, have the unit regularly inspected and cleaned, and replace the unit after about 10 years.
Sediment
Without proper maintenance and cleaning, your water heater will begin to collect sediment. As fresh water comes into the water heater, the sediment is mixed into the home’s hot water supply. Sediment build-up is bad for the water heater itself, but can also react with chlorine to produce unhealthy chemical compounds. Your water heater, particularly if it’s an older model, should be drained and cleaned about every six months. This is something the homeowner can normally do on his own by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Burns
Setting your water heater to the proper temperature is important. When the temperature is set too high, you and your family are at risk for burns in the shower or bath. Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to scalding, even at temperatures that may not seem too hot to others. To avoid the potential for burns altogether, simply lower the temperature setting on your water heater. In any case, your water heater should never be turned up higher than 120 degrees as this is the highest temperature considered safe.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
