I know this gas is deadly and its odourless.

I was wondering how quickly this gas can actually start to cause problems and symptoms start to show themselves?

Hi Sue,

It would depend on
- the levels
-Ages of those affected (Young children and Babies being more susceptible.. as we saw in the tragic recent incident of the Family on holiday where same exposure killed the two toddlers but parents survived)
-Pregnancy
-Those with Heart conditions
- Activity levels (the more active you are the more Oxygen you use and the CO2 binds to your Heamoglobin)

Generally at levels experienced due to faulty domestic appliances (boilers etc) the onset is slow (Hours to days)

HTH?

If you are at all suspicious that you might be getting exposed to leaks you know you can get simple detectors don't you.

symptoms can resemble the flu

do you have an alarm?

My issue is i live at home, the boiler has been looked at by the plumber today. Dad then put it back together but we know that its not right and is leaking CM. I went mad when i realised he had turned the heating on. He states that by closing the door to the room and leaving the window in that room very so very slightly ajar is good enough.

My concerns are more for the animals than me. Even my sister who never backs me up said it was wrong and he needs to turn it off. He refuses saying he would rather have it on and be warm then have it off and be cold. We have log fires and electric heaters in the house, so really angry right now.

Me thinks with his behaviour of late that i'm going to be forced into moving out(even though i can't afford it), his actions and responses of late(since he got his pup) have been odd and not at all thought out and irrational.
He won't discuss things, he is 'that is my decision, you don't like it tough'.

I have been reading on the net about CM and also know about flu symptoms. Going to move the pets into a different part of the house away from the boiler for now.. Its sucks big time.

> Dad then put it back together but we know that its not right and is leaking CM

How do you know it's leaking Carbon Monoxide? Do you have a monitor? If not then go and get one, you can get little cheap card ones for around £3 in B&Q.

I'm suprised that the plumber left it so it could be used.

This happened to us just before xmas and the plumber condemed it on the spot and capped it off, slapping some lovely red stickers on it for good measure. He did appologise but said the law and his conscience left him no choice.
I am now the proud owner of a new boiler but had no heating or hot water over xmas and new year, but I'd rather that than risk any lives.

(We had an electric carbon monoxide detecter but it still hadn't registered the leak.)

presumably if the plumber left it on then there was no leak?

did he leave you a report?

The plumber left it all apart so it couldn't be used. Parts of the boiler had deteriorated and need replacing. Father has since put it together and started it up again. I am now going to head to the shop to get a detector. I am so upset and concerned by this.

I would phone the gas board.  What your father has done could not only put you at risk from leaks but your neighbours too if it blows up!  The law does not require you to be qualified to work on gas appliances for nothing.

If your father's not a qualified gas fitter, you're in a potentially lethal situation. You should really call your gas board's emergency helpline.

my friend was suffering carbon monoxide poisoning the other week. She started feeling sick, dizzy, lethargic, felt like she had vertigo etc. She went on like that for weeks, with it gradually getting worse. She didn't realise the monoxide detector (one of those sticky on ones where the dot changes colour) was as dark as it could go. Started within days of moving in to her new house-she just thought she was stressed because of the move. The boiler was condemned, and she had to have a new one fitted. Apparently the vendor had said "the boiler needs servicing, do you want me to do", and she said "no, don't bother, i'll do it". Whoops!

Thanks guys for your support. I am very tired and was feeling emotional when i put the post up. My logical head wasn't on at all.
Got back with the detector and the boiler has gone into lockdown, so not working now anyway. So we are now back without heat, which does for me.
Feel a lot better now i have the alarm set up.

In view that all is ok for now, i am going to get ready and head on out for a night with my work colleagues, someone is leaving, think with the pressure to go out as well i was all over the place. All it needs is for someone to  think sensibly and then you can sort out problems.

My Dad went out just before me for dinner, he has just got back and said he made the decision he would be turning it off anyway so he could work on it tomorrow. The plumber checked it before leaving and said it was in working order and that it just needed putting together. Well dad;s not done a great job so far, parts have corroded and bits appear to be missing. Looks like either a wait for new parts or a new boiler..
He seemed less than impressed with the detector, funny man he is. Its for peace of mind and to protect us, just like a fire alarm.

I completely support you. You acted very wisely.
How ever some times Dads find it hard to let their grown up children be grown up, especially daughters. don't be too hard on him ;-)

Sue, you might like to print out the following attachment for your dad ....he might realise just how serious it can be

http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/wg5/wg5p2.pdf

Just google "family poisoned by faulty gas central heating boiler" .....it sets all alarm bells ringing.

just quickly registered here to say please don't let your dad bodge the boiler, having been blown out of a kitchen by an exploding boiler thanks to someone with a very laid back attitude to safety (ex-husband!) it's very scary, if I'd been directly in front of it as I was walking away I'd have been wearing it on the back of my head, it DOES happen, it's not just scaremongering and being overcautious!!