What is likely happening
A healthy gas flame is mostly blue. A lazy yellow flame or soot can indicate incomplete combustion, which raises the risk of carbon monoxide. Make sure CO detectors are present and working and arrange a combustion inspection right away.
What you can safely check
- Confirm CO detectors near the boiler room and sleeping areas are working.
- Ventilate the space.
- Do not keep running the boiler hard while you wait if soot is building up.
What an inspector will look at
- Combustion analysis
- Burner and heat exchanger condition
- Flue, chimney and draft
- Combustion air supply
Does this affect compliance?
Venting and combustion defects are safety items and will be written up at inspection.
When it becomes urgent
If a CO alarm is sounding or anyone feels dizzy or nauseous, leave the building and call 911.
We can help with this
Boiler inspection is something Insparisk does nationwide. To see the local rules for your building, open this in the interactive Problem Solver.
Request boiler inspectionTalk to an advisorGeneral guidance only, not a substitute for a licensed inspection or emergency services. For any gas odor, carbon monoxide alarm, fire, or trapped occupant, call 911 first.