Water heater danger?
Question:My family recently turned our garage into a room fo our uncle to move in. Because of the position of the water heater, there was no way to avoid the heater not being in the room. My uncle has lived in there for the past year or so with no problems at all, but now he's moving out, and I'm being pushed out there to allow my younger brothers to have their own rooms. I am INCREDIBLY paranoid about something happening to the water heater... A fire, gas leak, or carbon monoxide leak, all which can kill me in my sleep. We already have a smoke detector in there, but I plan on getting a CO detector and a natural gas detector just to be safe. There is a window in there, which I plan on keeping cracked open at all times to allow fresh air into the room. Am I being overly paranoid? What are the chances of a water heater catching fire or leaking carbon monoxide or natural gas?
Answers:
I would say just a bit paranoid.
The CO detector is an excellent idea. Should not be a problem if the heater is properly maintained, but the detector is a small expense compared to the possible danger.
Gas leaks are always possible, but not likely. There are safety features built into the heater in case of a failure in the ignition system. Gas pipes usually don't develop new leaks, so not much to worry about there.
Get the CO detector, gas detector if you must. Chill out and enjoy life.
Paranoid no but, your folks better check with the building codes division of where you live. They may have to put in an escape door for you, or a way for you to get out safely if there's a fire. You say you only have a window to open. And, they may have to make other plans for you to stay in an garage, whether someone else has stayed there or not.
They could be fined or worse if there breaking an ordinance.
I dont like the idea of living in the same room as a gas water heater. I knew a girl that was killed wnen she knocked a jar of gas off of a shelf in her utility room and the heater exploded.
I dont mean to scare you, but its much better to have an electric one. Make sure you dont have any flamables in your room.
less than 1%
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