I moved house a couple of months ago, and have recently noticed a strong smell of oil around our boiler, which spreads throughout the house if doors are left open. The boiler was serviced about 6 weeks ago, with no reported problems. My husband reckons the smell has always been there since we moved in but I am convinced its a new smell. Having never had oil central heating before can anyone advise whether this is normal, or whether we are slowly getting poisoned by the fumes!
2007-03-04 04:47:52 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Home heating oil stinks- it smells a little bit like the gas you put in your car. The technician who serviced it could have spilled a small amount of it when he was servicing the boiler, and it doesn't take alot to stink up the whole house.
Open the front door of your boiler, and see if there is any visible oil laying on the floor or around the burner. clean up as much oil as you can with a mild detergent, and then you can sprinkle some kitty litter around to soak up whatever is left over.
Some other old tricks involve white vinegar applied directly to any oil that you see, or placing a few charcoal briqettes on a plate in the mechanical room to absorb the odors.
If none of this works for you- an air purifier from www.ecoquestintl.com can do the trick. This isn't just a product plug, any air purifier that uses Radiant Catalytic Ionization to purify the air will do the job.
Finally, flue gasses don't usually create a noticible smell. You can see soot- but carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless- a CO detector will tell you whether you're getting flue gasses in the house. You should have one of these anyway.
2007-03-04 05:06:58 · answer #1 · answered by johntindale 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oil heat always smells bad. No way around it.
But if the amount of the smell has changed it could indicate a problem. Take a look and make sure the service guy closed everything up as he should have. Also check and make sure you are getting a proper draft out the flue. It could be that you are just noticing it a little more not for some reason but it is possible that if the amount of the smell has gone up drastically that you may have an issue. If the service guy was just out recently, you may want to call and see if they can come back out and double check the boiler. Explain that you are getting a much stronger oil smell after the technition was there and that you believe it should be on them to ensure that there is no problem. They might come out at no charge or at a minimum charge to ensure the work was correctly completed. But either way it might be worth the peace of mind to have them look at it again even if they do charge you for a service call. Depends on how much you trust the company.
Best of Luck
2007-03-04 05:42:48 · answer #2 · answered by John 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO !!!! you have the two an oil spill,or oil leak.or WORSE see be conscious under use bathroom paper or comfortable white absorbent towel,wipe all fittings/burner factors,surprisingly around the oil filter out,if serviced these days,filter out could desire to have been replaced,this in many circumstances motives some spillage,yet maximum heavily,its gasket could have been put in,incorrectly,inflicting a leak.which it would desire to get replaced. additionally you point out tank replace into empty,examine around tank surprisingly backside and lines/fittings as above. examine soil decrease than tank for Oder. be conscious::this may be an extremely extreme undertaking in case you ar now employing the boiler,the scent can come from-- incomplete combustion,leakey combustion chamber or chimney/flue leakage or back drafts this could recommend carbon monoxide gasoline.VERY undesirable inspect it on the instant.i do no longer recommend to scare you yet attempt may be made to rural out this danger. touch your hearth branch to inquire approximately achievable loose assessments for carbon monoxide. please be careful
2016-12-18 15:08:43 · answer #3 · answered by barrecchia 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check the draft on the flue. If the chimney is clogged or obstructed, some fumes will backup.
2007-03-04 04:56:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your draft damper is not functioning. Have it checked. You should not get fumes back into the house, that is what chimneys are for.
2007-03-04 04:53:03 · answer #5 · answered by egotist61 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are the oil fumes dangrous
2013-11-10 03:01:55 · answer #6 · answered by Janette 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they do smell. and i have never seen one that did not
2007-03-04 04:52:43 · answer #7 · answered by boy boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋