We're very annoyed, angry, and, well, BLOODY PISSED OFF to hear that some plumbers are just conducting carbon monoxide tests on heaters without doing a full clean and service of the heater first.
If you have had someone come out and just do a carbon monoxide test, ie. get out their analyser and hold it under vents or hold it in front of your heater, without doing anything else, well, PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT YOU CANNOT rest assured that your heater is safe. Plain and simple, the carbon monoxide test result is not reliable.
This practice goes against Regulations and Standards and is downright dangerous.
If a full clean and service is not firstly conducted, and if the proper procedures are not followed, then there is a very real chance that the carbon monoxide test will not provide accurate results.
We've even heard of some plumbers advising that central heaters cannot omit carbon monoxide. WRONG! If any type of gas heater has, for example, faults, cracks in the heat exchange, or hasn't been regularly serviced and maintained, they can omit carbon monoxide.
It is EXTREMELY frustrating to know that there are plumbers out there letting down our industry and putting people's lives at risk - all because they either can't be bothered keeping up to date with rules, Regulations and Standards, or they're out to make a quick buck by thinking they can short cut a procedure with a 'she'll be right' attitude - and all the while the consumer thinks they've bagged themselves a bargain with a cheap heater test and safe-guarded themselves against carbon monoxide poisoning. WRONG AGAIN.
We're not just talking about a leaking tap here, nobody can get sick or die from a leaking tap.