Getting a puddle of water near your furnace is often the most obvious symptom of a leaking unit. There are several possible causes of water leaking from your furnace, some of which you may be able to solve, and some of which will require a professional to fix the problem.
Below are recommended steps to take after you discover a furnace leak, but before calling a repair company:
- Determine the type of furnace.
- Consider the most likely sources of the leak, based on whether your furnace is high-efficiency condensing or conventional.
- Determine if the furnace is leaking when the air conditioner is on.
- Inspect the unit to find the source of the leak.
- Keep in mind the simplicity and convenience of doing small do-it-yourself inspections.
Our guide is designed to educate you on possible causes and solutions, but it is certainly no substitute for the expertise of a proven industry expert. If water leakage from furnace components is one of several problems you’ve encountered with your unit, avoid further damage by calling your local company.
Let’s take a look at the most common causes of water leaking from your furnace.
Condensation forms when the two heat exchangers inside your furnace absorb so much heat that the gas normally escaping the furnace through the exhaust pipe turns into a liquid. This water is usually vented out of the house through a condensate drain.
If the drain or condensate line becomes clogged, the water has no choice but to seep out of the furnace. Cleaning the line can be simple – just pour a mixture of equal parts hot water and white vinegar into the line.
If necessary, flush the line several times with this mixture. This method of cleaning the condensate line usually clears minor clogs. To prevent a clogged furnace drain or condensate line, inspect and clean the furnace at least once a year.
Even if the drain and condensate line are clean, a problem with the condensate pump can cause the furnace to leak. The pump is responsible for pushing condensate (water) out of the unit into the piping.
The average life of a condensate pump is 3 to 5 years. If the pump is past its useful life, it may not work optimally.
Leaking water from a conventional furnace is usually a symptom of a malfunctioning built-in humidifier or an improperly adjusted exhaust pipe. The humidifier removes excess water through the oven drain line. If the drain line is clogged, water will accumulate and leak from the humidifier into the oven. Water seems to leak out of the oven components when the affected part is the humidifier.
Inspect the furnace humidifier water lines for cracks or leaks. Check the lines to the humidifier for leaks. Improperly adjusted lines can easily lead to leaks.
If the humidifier seems to be operating normally, check the exhaust pipe. If the tube is loose or improperly seated in the furnace, water that needs to be vented will leak out of the unit.
Be careful when inspecting the tube. Do not touch it. The exhaust pipe of a conventional furnace can become dangerously hot. To avoid the possibility of injury, contact SDAC Heating & Air Conditioning to repair or replace the tube. Our technician will come to the specified address, inspect the furnace, provide maintenance and replace components if necessary. By contacting us in time, you can be sure that the comfort in your home will remain in any weather.
Contact us.