Water leaks are common issues among homeowners; however, you should be concerned if you discover water near your furnace. If you have a water leak from your furnace, it could cause damage to your home. You could face costly repairs and mold growth, which could damage your home and jeopardize your health. The best way to find out what caused a leak around your furnace is to shut it down and inspect it. You can also consult us to find out what caused your furnace to leak water.
What to Do if Your Furnace Is Leaking Water
When your furnace leaks water, there is no time to waste. Taking the following steps to avoid water damage and high utility bills is critical:
- Turn off the furnace
- Clean and mop all water from around the furnace
- Use a wet-dry vacuum to clean around your furnace if you have a lot of water
- Identify the source of the water in your furnace and the area around it
- Get in touch with Kelso Heating and Cooling
What Causes Furnaces to Leak Water
It is important to examine your furnace to check for symptoms of furnace leaks and any other concerns that could potentially lead to system failure. You can have an us check your furnace if water leaking appears. Here are some common causes you should consider:
Leaking humidifier
The furnaces in some houses feature humidifiers that help in the addition of moisture to the air. A leak in the system can lead to water dripping on the floor. A faulty component or some sort of obstruction within or surrounding the humidifier usually causes this problem. We will examine the water pipes for cracks or pinhole leaks. Also, they will make sure the connections between the humidifier and the water lines fit well.
Condensation leak
The condensation leak that causes your furnace to leak water may be a result of having a high-efficiency model with two heat exchangers. Condensation forms in the condensate trap during the heat exchange process, and moisture escapes through your pipes. Most of the water drains out of the system through the floor drains. Flooding can occur when the pipes burst or clog, allowing water into your home. For small obstructions, add equal parts of hot water and white vinegar to the line to clear it. Repeat several times if necessary. If there is a serious obstruction, you should contact a HVAC specialist to clear it. In some cases, you may need to replace damaged drain lines.
Obstructed filter
Having a dirty or clogged furnace filter could cause the furnace to leak water. Even though these filters are designed to protect our health by removing airborne dirt, they can become clogged with debris over time, restricting the flow of air through the furnace coil. The coil may freeze as a result. But this could lead to water leakage from the furnace. Make sure to regularly check and replace your furnace filter to limit the damage and avoid costly problems. You may want to contact us if you observe a frozen coil or water leaking from the system.
Water leak in the plumbing
A leak from your heater may seem like the source of the leak is the furnace, but it could possibly be a plumbing issue. You may mistake a plumbing leak for a furnace leak due to your plumbing pipes being close to your furnace. This plumbing issue could indicate a broken or obstructed pipe. Contact a plumber or us as soon as possible to get the repairs done.
AC unit leaks
In mild climates, you might use your air conditioner and furnace at the same time. Water accumulates in the condensation pan over time as your AC operates. Some water may drip from the pan onto your heater when the pan becomes too full. If your furnace appears to be leaking, it could simply be an overflowing condensation pan. In this case, you should empty out the pan right away.
Problem with the heat exchanger
The heat exchanger could also be the cause of water in the furnace. The heat exchanger carries heat throughout your system, creating condensation. However, a water leak might occur in rare instances. Having eliminated all other explanations, check your heat exchanger for leaks. Resolving this issue may prove to be expensive. It may be that you need a new heat exchanger to fix the problem. We can assess the furnace and the leakage before deciding how best to proceed.
Prevent Your Furnace From Leaking Water In The Future
It’s vital to address the issue of leaking furnaces as soon as possible. We can detect and prevent early warning signs of issues such as leaks or blockages. Maintaining your furnace regularly will allow them to find the source of the leak, so you won’t have to worry the next time you discover a leak around your furnace.
