Because of the leak the water heater kept running to keep up with the flow of water.
Can a gas water heater leak carbon monoxide.
There are three main preventable reasons that a water heater can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Without adequate ventilation combustion gases stay inside the vent pipe s wall and corrode the system.
Venting for the water heater should be sealed capturing carbon monoxide and other gases and ushering them safely out of the home.
That said your system can pull in co from other sources in your home your water heater or your fireplace for example and circulate it throughout your home especially if you have holes in your air ducts.
Eventually these gases leak into the combustion chamber creating rust and holes.
However the important thing is that you have recognized the water heater carbon monoxide danger so that you can plan to prevent it.
Technically your system won t produce carbon monoxide if your furnace is not running.
The appliance wasn t installed properly in the first place the homeowner neglects it and doesn t perform proper maintenance and the surrounding area isn t properly ventilated leaving the gas with nowhere to escape should it leak.
This professional can inspect the appliance to check for correct installation and venting as well as diagnose and correct any problems due to faulty parts improper maintenance or other issues.
Despite the risk it may hold a water heater is still needed for some houses.
Essentially this would be the same as if a car engine was left running in a garage for several hours.
What was the cause of the deadly gas.