A typical issue found in many homes during a home inspection is the lack of proper “gas proofing” between the garage and the interior of the home. Why is this so important?

Harmful Effects of Carbon Monoxide

In the past there have been deaths attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning due to poor or lack of proper gas proofing between the garage and the interior of the home. In older homes (prior to building codes) it’s not uncommon to have a wall which separates the attached garage from the interior that is poorly sealed or not sealed at all.

Over the years, Building codes have been changed and improved to address this issue and improve the sealing and separation between the garage and attached interior of the home. Devices like self closing hinges on inside entry doors, and properly sealed drywall between units are very common now in order to help prevent the possibility of carbon monoxide from entering into the home, should someone leave a vehicle running unattended inside the garage.

How Home Inspection Can Help Tackle Harmful Effects of Carbon Monoxide

Some common defects observed by home inspectors during a home inspection in regards to this issue are self closing devices that have been disabled or removed entirely from inside entry doors. Another common issue is poor quality drywall taping which falls off after the first few years after the home is built and leaves open seams as a potential space for gas to enter into the home.

Home owner modifications to garages can also come into play; poorly installed electrical wiring, central vac piping, plumbing supply lines, alarm system wiring, and dryer & kitchen vents; these must all be properly sealed at the separation wall to ensure carbon monoxide won’t enter into the home.

In most cases these issues that are discovered during a home inspection can be rectified easily and with minimal cost to ensure the safety of the occupants of the home. It’s surprising how many people today are still oblivious to the dangers of carbon monoxide gas and wouldn’t have known any better unless their home inspector had made them aware of the situation. Just another reason why it’s important to perform a home inspection when buying a home.

Home Logic Inspections performs thorough and professional home inspections, thermal imaging and drone inspections in Calgary, Airdrie, Okotoks, High River,Strathmore, Bragg Creek and surrounding area.