Sulphur/sooty smell in my Kitchen could it be from my Gas Back Boiler?

[twinny-15]

Hi,I have a gas back boiler in my kitchen and sometimes I smell a sooty /sulphur type smell is this normal or should I be worried ?? Thanks for any advice xx Twinny

[Buenchico]

>>>should I be worried?

Well, given that carbon monoxide poisoning is frequently fatal, the answer is probably 'Yes'!

I had a very close call with a gas fire in a bedsit (with a blocked flue) many years ago. As I learnt, one of the symptoms of a blocked flue is inefficient burning of the gas, resulting in the formation of sooty particles. If you're experiencing a 'sooty' smell you might have a similar problem.

Don't take chances. GET IT CHECKED!

Chris

[237SJ]

Carbon monoxide doesn`t smell.
My parents had a back boiler in their old house and hadn`t had it cleaned for a while. When someone came to clean it, parts of it were black with some kind of sooty deposit. He said it was the filthiest boiler he`d ever seen! I would imagine it could give off a sooty smell if it needs a good service.

[twinny-15]

Thanks it's just I'm a bit wary as just had recent yearly safety check which it passed but the previous year same firm said the fire that fronted the back boiler was "borderline ) but passed it only to be "random checked by landlord" and then disconnected a week later, then today a week after safety check Landlord says he is coming to do another check !!!

[Buenchico]

I have no hesitation in agreeing with 237SJ that carbon monoxide doesn't smell. (If it did it wouldn't be so dangerous, as you'd know that it was present). My point was that a blocked flue can lead to the formation of BOTH carbon monoxide and sooty particles. The presence of one might suggest they're both present.

[twinny-15]

Thanks for your replies , just puzzled why my Landlord is checking again after their sub-contractor declared it safe a week ago? as the same happened last year and the fire was disconnected after the week previously being passed !!

[EDDIE51]

The sooty smell is a sign of inefficient combustion. The other main sign is the production of Carbon Monoxide, CO, rather than Carbon Di Oxide CO2.
The sooty smell is a warning that things are wrong get a CO check NOW tomorrow may be too late. Look at the flame colour as well it should be blue , if it is yellow that mean it is producing CO !!

[twinny-15]

The gas fire is disconnected and the back boiler behind so can't see a flame to check colour x

[EDDIE51]

There should not be a sooty smell , you need to get the chimney cleaned and the boiler checked as you have been told.