Gas Heater Safety and Carbon Monoxide
Why older gas heaters in Narre Warren homes need regular servicing, the warning signs of carbon monoxide, and what a safety check involves.
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- Narre Warren based
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters
- Price agreed before work
- After-hours emergencies
The risk
Gas heaters that are faulty, poorly maintained or badly ventilated can release carbon monoxide into the home. It has no colour or smell, and exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, tiredness and, in serious cases, death. Open-flued heaters, such as many older wall furnaces and space heaters, are the main concern.
Warning signs
Watch for a yellow or orange flame instead of a crisp blue one, soot or staining around the heater, a strange smell when it runs, the pilot going out often, or people feeling unwell when the heater is on and better when they go outside.
How often to service
Energy Safe Victoria recommends having gas heaters serviced at least every two years by a licensed gasfitter. A service checks the burner, flue and ventilation, cleans and adjusts the appliance, and includes a carbon monoxide spillage test.
Simple precautions
Never use outdoor gas heaters or barbecues inside. Keep vents clear. Run exhaust fans carefully when an open-flued heater is on, as they can draw fumes back into the room. Consider a carbon monoxide alarm as an extra warning.
Narre Warren soil and pipes
Most of Narre Warren sits on grey and yellow clay that holds water through winter and cracks open in a dry February. Pipes laid in it move a little every season. On the streets built in the 1970s and 1980s that means earthenware sewer joints that have shifted and let roots in. On the 1990s and 2000s estates south of the Princes Highway it usually means PVC lines that have sagged where the trench was backfilled, leaving a dip that collects grease and wipes. Up in Narre Warren North the blocks are bigger and the runs are longer, often to a septic system or a pump. We bring that local knowledge to every job, and we use a camera to confirm what is happening underground rather than guessing at it.
Related services
- Emergency plumbing
- Blocked drains
- Hot water repairs
- Gas fitting
- Hot water replacement
- Heat pumps
- Leaking taps
- Burst pipes
- Toilet repairs
- Leak detection
- Sewer and relining
- Stormwater
- Roof and gutters
- Bathroom plumbing
- Kitchen and laundry
- Backflow and commercial
More guides
Questions on this topic
Can I service my own gas heater?
No. Gas appliance servicing must be done by a licensed gasfitter.
What should I do if I suspect carbon monoxide?
Turn the heater off, open windows and doors, get everyone outside and seek medical advice if anyone feels unwell. Do not use the heater until it is checked.
Why Narre Warren calls us back
Local to the 3805 streets
From the Fountain Gate side streets to the estates off Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, we know the homes and how they were plumbed.
One licence for the whole job
Water, sewer, stormwater and gas are all covered, so one plumber can usually finish what they start.
You approve the price first
The fault is found and explained, then priced. Nothing is done until you say go ahead.
Respect for your home
Covers on boots, sheets on floors, and the mess goes with us. We ring ahead if we are running late.
Get a free quote
Tell us what is going on and a licensed Narre Warren plumber will call you back.
How quoting works
Call 03 7075 3465 or send the form with a short note and a photo if you have one. A licensed plumber rings you back, asks a few questions and books a time that suits. On site they find the cause, talk you through the options and give you a fixed price. Nothing starts until you agree, and larger jobs get a free written quote you can take away and think about.
Need a plumber in Narre Warren?
Narre Warren, Narre Warren South, North and the suburbs around them. No rates on the website: we find the fault first, then give you the price.