When it comes to dangerous gasses, the one that most homeowners will have to worry about is carbon monoxide. Since it lacks color and smell, it is impossible to detect it without an alarm. This is a problem since it is a very deadly gas. The problem is that there is a condition called backdraft that could pull carbon monoxide exhaust back down your chimney and into your home. Backdraft is usually caused by low pressure inside of your home. If the pressure inside your home is lower than that outside, it could lead to gas being sucked into your home which could be deadly. There is a way to check if the conditions for backdraft exist in your home. Using a smoke pencil or a puffer, you can see the way air travels inside your home. If there is a noticeable draft coming from your chimney, then you should check to make sure the problem gets remedied before you use that chimney again. The health of your family could be at stake.
