There are three key smells which mean something potentially dangerrous is wrong with your boiler (Image: Getty)
Homeowners are being warned about three smells coming from their boiler, which could mean either an expensive problem or a very dangerous situation. Joshua Houston, a Boiler Expert , said people need to be aware of the potentially deadly odours that come from their heating system.
Mr Houston said you need to look out for rotten eggs and burning and metallic-like scents. Noticing and identifying these odours will allow for quick action, which could be calling a professional or an immediate evacuation of your property. “It’s crucial that the public is aware of these three smells related to boilers. As otherwise they could be in serious danger without their knowledge. Calling a professional or evacuating a home can save lives.
On average, 40 people die a year in the UK from deaths relating to boilers. So, smells that you might think are innocent, really need to be taken seriously.”
The National Institute for Health and Care excellence reported that it is estimated that there are approximately 4000 attendances at accident and emergency departments in England each year for treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning. It also said there are approximately 440 hospital admissions per year in England due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Here are the three smells which need further investigating involving boilers
1: Rotten eggs
If you notice an unexplainable rotten-egg-type smell, then this could be a sign of a gas leak. Firstly, turn off your gas supply at the energy control valve, or your heating systems equivalent. Then, evacuate all of your household members immediately, along with any pets. This is because a spark could cause a potentially deadly explosion. Finally, contact a Gas Safe registered professional who should be able to identify and fix the problem.
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2: Burning
Burning is one of the most concerning smells to have in a home. It can be caused by a wide variety of things and is often hard to identify. Boilers can cause this smell if dust or other debris burns when coming into contact with their hot metal coil. This isn’t a big problem as the smell should go away after 30 minutes.
If it hasn’t, then this might be a sign that your boiler is overheating, especially if your hot water supply is inconsistent. In this scenario, you should turn off your gas supply, before calling a professional to have a look.
3: Metallic
A metallic smell could be for the same reason as the rotten egg smell. The same actions should be taken, as a gas leak is extremely dangerous.
Mr Houston said: “Alternatively, it could be an oil leakage from your boiler. Don’t try and fix the problem yourself, instead call a professional who will try and rectify it safely. Another area of concern is carbon monoxide, a metallic smell is a sign that it might also be leaking. Carbon monoxide itself is odourless, but this strengthens the importance of bringing in Gas Safe Engineers to take a look.”