Question: Will a carbon monoxide detector detect a gas leak?

gas leaks detected by carbon monoxide alarm

Will a carbon monoxide alarm detect gas leaks?

Answer: While a carbon monoxide detector is helpful to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, you cannot rely on a carbon monoxide detector to detect a gas leak.

A carbon monoxide detector will sense carbon monoxide, not raw fuel or gas fumes. This is why a carbon monoxide detector will let you know after a gas leak has gone on long enough and extensively enough to fill your air space with a percentage of carbon monoxide, but it does not protect you from a leak.

A gas leak is dangerous even before enough carbon monoxide is produced to set off a carbon monoxide alarm. This is because a spark from any source of electricity can cause an explosion.

What You Can Do

Don't rely on your carbon monoxide alarm. If you smell gas, get out of the house!

Go across the street to be safe. Then call the gas company after you have safely made it out of the house and have them turn off the gas. Next call a professional and have them do an inspection for a gas leak. The leak could be minor or the gas line in the house could be leaking. Stay out of the house until the house has been inspected and it has been confirmed that the house is safe to enter.

Smell gas? Don’t hesitate. Get out of the house and call 704-846-5371 right away for Charlotte gas line leak detection and repair services. We look forward to keeping you and your family safe.

Learn More

Learn more about gas leaks and what to do if you smell gas.