07/23/2026
❗️PEOPLE❗️
Please look at your water heater and look at these plastic caps that we have arrows pointed to. If they are melted, it’s a sign that this appliance isn’t venting correctly and could mean there’s a carbon monoxide problem!
We were called out to a house yesterday to see about getting chimneys rebuilt after roofers had torn them down and put a new roof over them under the past homeowners.
The homeowner was showing our technician where his old fireplaces and his current water heater/furnace were in the process, and it was noticed that a gas water heater was venting into one of these chimneys. With a glance at the plastic red and blue rings at the top of the appliance, it was apparent there was a venting issue.
We took the appliance pipe off that goes into the wall and had a couple of gallon's worth of debris fall onto us and found that the chimney was 80% plugged and this water heater was not venting well. After removing this debris, we then ran a camera up the chimney and found that this appliance venting carbon monoxide…was venting straight into the attic of the home! Since the appliance had been off for this process, our tech could climb into the attic and look down the chimney at the video camera.
Now, if you notice these plastic caps are melted, that doesn’t mean your house is filling with carbon monoxide because your chimney is missing. BUT it does mean something’s wrong, and you should have the appliance, and the chimney looked at ASAP.
We always recommend having smoke detectors and digital read out carbon monoxide detectors on each floor.
If you have questions about this post please message us or call our office!
419-752-2231☎
1-800-284-8770📞
CSIA Certified & NCSG Members✅
