As the months get colder, your home furnace must be tip-top. After all, you will want to be warm and cozy once the temperature drops!
But leaks can get in a way of that.
Most of the time, leaks in your furnace, heat pumps, and AC are small, easily-fixed issues that you can probably deal with yourself.
Although we shouldn’t rule out bigger issues too.
Today, we will be going over a few reasons why your furnace could be leaking and how you can deal with it.
If this is something you’re interested in learning more about, then stick around!
Reasons Why Your Furnace is Leaking
In order to find the right solution to your leaky furnace issue, you need to know the possible causes for it. Let’s drip right to them!
Clogged Condensation Drain/ Tubing
The most common issue for furnace leaks is having a clogged condensation tube. Your furnace naturally extracts heat from combustion gasses, even worse if you have a high-efficiency furnace.
Normally, the condensation would travel down a drain, but clogging, a break in the condensation line, or a non-functioning condensate pump will lead to leaks.
Internal Drain System Clog
Another cause is internal systems clog. This is often the case for houses with an air conditioner and furnace sharing a single internal drain.
Any obstruction where your AC is supposed to drain can cause water to be sent into your furnace instead.
Inducer Assembly Leaks
Another cause is a crack in your furnace’s inducer assembly. The condensation will run through the exhaust pipe, the condensate drain hose, then into your inducer assembly. If there are any cracks, it is likely to lead to a leak.
Clogged Humidifier
A clogged humidifier is another cause of furnace leaks. Most humidifiers are connected to your plumbing system. This is done so that your humidifier can add moisture to the air.
If your humidifier gets clogged up, it can start leaking water around your furnace.
Issues with Your Heat Exchanger
Next up is a problem with your heat exchanger. This is one of the damages you really want to avoid as it can be costly to repair. It is even more likely that you will have to replace your furnace unit altogether.
If you have ruled out all the possibilities we mentioned above, then you might have to call a professional in to help with a diagnosis.
But despite all these issues, there are things you can do yourself or through a professional furnace and ac repair to fix your leaky furnace.
Is a Leaking Furnace Dangerous?
Yes, and no.
A leaky furnace won’t pose an immediate risk to your safety, but it can negatively affect your quality of living.
As we know, water can be damaging to its surroundings. An unattended and unmanaged leak can eventually lead to water damage and hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in repairs.
However, there are other safety concerns for leaky furnaces. Because of the contact between water and steel, rust is likely to develop.
And the worst place you can find rust is on your heat exchanger. Once rust decays the surface of your heat exchanger, it can release harmful CO gas and put you and those around you in danger.
Another thing you need to keep in mind is that water can also damage your furnace’s electrical components. This can lead to damages that stop your furnace from working altogether.
If this happens, you will need to replace an entire furnace unit. Not only will you be paying unnecessary money for a new furnace, but you will also need to pay for professional installation!
So what should you do as soon as you spot a leak in your furnace? Is there a step-by-step process on how to deal with it?
Yes, and yes. So keep on scrolling!
How to Handle Your Furnace Leaking Water
Now that we know some of the possible causes of your furnace leak and why it’s not advisable to ignore them, here are the best ways to handle a furnace leak:
Step #1: Turn it off
The first and most important step is to turn off your furnace. Doing this should stop any further leaks from happening.
How you turn off your furnace depends on the model you are using. You can turn it off through the thermostat or flip your furnace switch. If you can’t find a switch, try turning your furnace off using the breaker.
Step #2: Clean up
Next is clean-up. As we have mentioned above, water can be extremely damaging and can lead to health hazards such as gas leaks caused by rusty pipes.
Make sure to get rid of as much water as possible. You can also use a wet vac if there is a larger pool of water around your furnace.
Don’t forget to clean the inside! Do this by unscrewing the front panel of your furnace and soaking up as much of the liquid inside.
Aside from avoiding damages, getting your furnace dry as soon as possible can also prevent molds from developing inside your unit.
Step #3: Inspect the air filter
Next is to check the air filter. A clogged air filter can lead to leaks, so be sure to inspect the one your furnace has installed.
If you see a build-up of dust, dirt, and other debris, it’s time to replace the air filter to avoid any more leaks.
Step #4: Get help
Finally, give an expert a call. A qualified furnace technician can easily diagnose and fix any issues that may not be directly apparent to the untrained eye.
Professionals can also ensure that your furnace will back up and running in no time.
Importance of Cleaning Your Furnace
It seems like a hassle to have to constantly clean and keep an eye on your furnace, but it is necessary.
Here are other reasons why you should clean your furnace regularly:
Cost-Saving Perks
A furnace that is not in its optimal condition can consume a lot of energy. That means a spike in your electric bill.
And no one wants that! Getting your furnace checked and cleaned by professionals will save you a lot of money along the way.
Improved Efficiency
A smooth-working furnace is an efficient furnace. You got a furnace unit to keep you warm and cozy during colder days.
It draws cold air in and pushes our warm air into your rooms. This can lead to dust and other debris building up and clogging your unit over time.
If your furnace is not well-maintained, then you will find that you will start spending colder nights and higher electricity bills.
Keeping the Warranty
Most furnaces come with a warranty. Failing to perform regular cleaning and maintenance on your furnace can cause its warranty to get voided.
Now, you will have to pay for repairs and other perks out of pocket instead of having the manufacturing company cover them.
Make It Last Longer
Yes, furnaces are built to handle the wear and tear of daily use, but they will eventually stop working if you do not perform any upkeeps.
If you think that getting regular maintenance for your furnace is a waste of money, think again.
You might find yourself having to shell out a larger sum just to get your unit repaired or replaced because you didn’t bother asking for professional help.
Lower Risks
A leaky furnace can lead to water damage, damaged electrical circuits, rust, and the development of molds.
Routine maintenance can prevent all of that from ever happening to your unit. Thus saving you thousands of dollars in repairs, medication, or even hospitalizations.
Avoiding Future Issues with Your Furnace
Now that you know why it’s crucial that you are investing in your furnace’s care, you’re probably wondering:
“Is there a way to permanently prevent leaks on your furnace?”
Yes! This is through proper care and regular maintenance.
Yes, this will be hard to do on your own, especially if you’re always on a tight schedule. This is where furnace technicians come in. They will be the ones to handle all the maintenance and diagnostics so you can focus on your other responsibilities.
Technicians can easily spot possible issues that may arise in your furnace unit and quickly come up with a preventative solution before things get worse.
But don’t fall for those cheap, bogus deals you see online. You might end up with a damaged unit that you need to replace altogether, and that means even more money down the drain.
Get certified and reliable maintenance services from trained professionals at BelRed. Regular furnace maintenance can seem expensive up-front, but it pays off in the long run.
Schedule your regular furnace check-ups by calling us at (855) 345-6161. We’ve got your back.
