Southwest Minneapolis Families: Is Your Furnace Leaking Dangerous CO Gas?

Last Tuesday morning, I got a call from a panicked mom in the Linden Hills neighborhood. Her 8-year-old had been complaining of headaches for three days, and she’d just noticed a strange smell near their furnace. When I arrived 20 minutes later, my CO detector was screaming before I even reached their basement. That family could have lost everything if she hadn’t trusted her instincts.

I’m Mike, and I’ve been protecting Minneapolis families from carbon monoxide poisoning for over 17 years. In Southwest Minneapolis, where beautiful old homes meet harsh winters, CO emergencies happen more often than most people realize. Your family’s safety can’t wait until Monday morning or regular business hours.

Why Families Call Me When Every Second Matters

When you call MplsCOEmergency, you’re getting me – not some corporate call center or inexperienced technician. Here’s why families trust me with their most urgent emergencies:

• I answer my phone at 2 AM – CO doesn’t keep business hours, and neither do I
• 30-minute emergency guarantee – I know Southwest Minneapolis like my own backyard
• No upselling during emergencies – Your safety comes first, sales pitches never
• Plain English explanations – I’ll tell you exactly what’s wrong and why
• Insurance claim help – I’ll document everything you need for your claim

I Know These Old Minneapolis Homes Like Family

After 17 years servicing furnaces from Linden Hills to South Minneapolis, I’ve learned that each Southwest Minneapolis neighborhood has its own quirks. The gorgeous Tudor and Colonial homes in East Isles often have original ductwork from the 1920s. Those charming bungalows in Armatage? Their furnaces are usually tucked into tight basement spaces that make proper ventilation tricky.

I’ve crawled through more cramped basements and tight utility rooms than I can count. Every old home tells a story, and unfortunately, some of those stories include hidden CO dangers that previous contractors missed.

Here’s Exactly What Happens When You Call

When you call with a suspected CO leak, here’s my step-by-step process:

1. Immediate phone assessment – I’ll ask about symptoms and help you get to safety
2. Fast response – I’ll be at your door within 30 minutes with professional CO detection equipment
3. Complete safety check – I test every potential CO source in your home
4. Clear explanation – You’ll understand exactly what I found and what needs fixing
5. Emergency repairs – If possible, I’ll fix the problem on the spot
6. Follow-up testing – I make sure your home is completely safe before I leave

Every CO Service Your Family Might Need

Here are all the ways I can protect your Southwest Minneapolis home from carbon monoxide:

• CO Leak Detection – Professional-grade equipment finds leaks you can’t see or smell
• Emergency CO Response – 24/7 immediate response when you suspect a leak
• Furnace Repair – Fix cracked heat exchangers and other CO-producing problems
• Heat Exchanger Inspections – Detailed checks of your furnace’s most critical safety component
• Carbon Monoxide Safety Inspections – Annual whole-home CO safety evaluations
• CO Detector Installation – Proper placement of detectors throughout your home
• Furnace Maintenance Plans – Prevent CO problems before they start
• Insurance Claim Assistance – Help you document everything for your insurance company
• Landlord Safety Checks – Protect your tenants with professional CO inspections
• Real Estate CO Audits – Peace of mind for home buyers and sellers

My Background and Why Families Trust Me

My credentials speak for themselves, but more importantly, I genuinely care about keeping your family safe:

• Minneapolis HVAC Class A License
• EPA 608 Universal and NATE Certified
• Over 576 hours of formal HVAC training
• Specialized carbon monoxide emergency training
• Fully bonded, insured, and workers’ comp covered
• Owner-operated – you work directly with me, not employees

“Tanaya M. from Linden Hills called us on January 15th, 2025, after her CO detector went off at 3 AM. Mike was there in 22 minutes and found a cracked heat exchanger. He had us back up and running safely by morning. I can’t thank him enough for responding so quickly in the middle of the night.” – Tanaya M., Linden Hills

Recent Emergency Calls Right in Your Neighborhood

Here are some recent CO emergencies I’ve handled right in Southwest Minneapolis:

• Kenwood – Discovered a blocked chimney vent in a 1930s Tudor that was backing CO into the home
• Linden Hills – Fixed a cracked heat exchanger that had been slowly leaking CO for weeks
• Fulton – Found improper furnace installation causing dangerous CO buildup in basement
• Armatage – Cleared animal nest from vent pipe that was trapping deadly gases inside
• Tangletown – Repaired corroded vent connector that could have been fatal within days

I Cover All of Southwest Minneapolis and Beyond

I serve every Southwest Minneapolis neighborhood, plus surrounding areas. From East Isles mansions to Armatage bungalows, I know how to get to you fast. See our complete service area here.

Questions Families Ask Me About CO Safety

Can carbon monoxide build up even if my furnace seems to be working fine?

Absolutely. A furnace can heat your home perfectly while still producing dangerous CO levels. That’s why I always tell families that feeling warm doesn’t mean you’re safe.

How often should I have my Southwest Minneapolis home checked for CO?

I recommend annual inspections, but older homes in neighborhoods like East Isles and Linden Hills should consider twice-yearly checks due to their vintage heating systems.

What’s the difference between a CO detector alarm and an actual emergency?

Never assume it’s a false alarm. Even if you feel fine, call me immediately. CO affects people differently, and children and elderly family members are especially vulnerable.

Will my insurance cover CO emergency repairs?

Many policies do cover CO-related repairs, especially if there’s property damage. I’ll help you document everything properly for your claim.

Insider Tips to Keep Your Family Safe

After nearly two decades of CO emergencies, here’s my best advice for Southwest Minneapolis homeowners:

• Trust your nose – Any unusual smell near your furnace deserves immediate attention
• Watch for ice buildup – Ice forming around your outdoor furnace vent often signals a blockage
• Don’t ignore headaches – Multiple family members getting headaches at home is a major red flag
• Check your flame color – A yellow or orange furnace flame instead of blue indicates incomplete combustion
• Keep vents clear – Snow and debris around outdoor vents can force CO back into your home
• Schedule pre-winter inspections – October is the perfect time to catch problems before you need your furnace daily

CO is completely silent and invisible. By the time most families realize there’s a problem, they’re already experiencing symptoms. That’s why I stress prevention and immediate response to any warning signs with every client I visit. Learn more about what causes CO leaks and what to do if you suspect a leak.

Your family’s safety is my top priority. I’ve seen what CO poisoning can do to families, and I never want to see it happen to yours. If you suspect a carbon monoxide problem in your Southwest Minneapolis home at 2 PM or 2 AM, don’t hesitate to call. Those few minutes could save your family’s life.

I sleep better at night knowing I’m helping keep Minneapolis families safe. There’s no call too small when it comes to carbon monoxide – I’d rather check out ten false alarms than miss one real emergency.

Call (651) 403-6300 right now if you have any concerns about carbon monoxide in your home. Your family’s safety can’t wait.