Carbon Monoxide & Chimney Safety in Nassau County — What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

Yes — and it is one of the most common causes. A blocked, cracked, or improperly lined chimney prevents combustion gases from venting outside. CO then migrates into living spaces. Nassau County homes with aging clay tile liners and recent gas conversions are at elevated risk. Annual chimney inspection is the primary prevention.

Immediately: (1) Evacuate everyone from the home — do not stop for belongings. (2) Call 911 from outside or a neighbor's home. (3) Do not re-enter until emergency services have cleared the home. (4) Call DME Maintenance at 516-690-7471 — we inspect and clear the chimney and assess liner condition before your heating system is restarted.

Test CO detectors monthly using the test button. Replace batteries annually. Replace the unit itself every 5–7 years — CO sensors degrade over time and older units may not alarm at dangerous levels. Place detectors on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area.

Yes — and especially so. New high-efficiency furnaces produce cooler, more acidic exhaust gases that deteriorate old clay tile liners faster than older equipment. A gas chimney inspection after any appliance replacement is essential. Most appliance manufacturers and Nassau County municipalities require a stainless steel liner when installing new equipment.

The five most common causes: (1) Bird or animal nest blockage in the flue. (2) Cracked or collapsed clay tile liner sections. (3) Improperly sized flue for the appliance — common after oil-to-gas conversions. (4) Disconnected or damaged flue connector pipe. (5) Frozen condensate in high-efficiency appliance vents during extreme cold. All are preventable with annual chimney cleaning and inspection.