As anyone who lives in Apache Junction knows, just because it’s the desert doesn’t mean it doesn’t get cold. During the winter, temperatures can drop significantly, and running your heating system may become necessary.
That means it’s a real problem if you discover water leaking from the furnace. What should you do if your system is creating puddles? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Are Signs of a Leaking Furnace?
Many homeowners don’t realize it’s even possible for furnaces to produce water. As a result, they may not know where to look for signs of a leak.
If you’re running your heating system, make sure to check for undesired water periodically. Discovering the problem early can save you a significant headache.
Wet Filter
Sometimes the leak isn’t visible from the outside. Your heating system’s internal components may be soaked before you ever see a puddle on the floor.
One piece that’s likely to get wet is the air filter. If you suspect water leakage, but don’t see any external evidence, check your filter.
Water at the Base
When things have gotten really out of hand, you’ll probably see water collecting at the base of your furnace. Once the water starts to puddle, you need to act quickly to preserve your furnace and floor integrity.
Is It Dangerous If Your Furnace Is Leaking Water?
Is a leaking furnace an emergency? The truth is, it depends on what’s causing the leak. Since this is difficult to tell without a professional looking at it, you should treat any leak like an emergency. Otherwise, you may end up with a great deal of damage that’s expensive to fix.
Electrical Fault
Water is an excellent conductor, and electricity contact can cause electrical faults, which are aberrant currents. If currents reach dangerous levels, your home’s circuit breakers should trip, preventing them from damaging the more extensive electrical system. Your furnace, however, may not be so lucky.
Extensive damage requires repairs or even replacement. Your family will be without heat during that time, making for a very uncomfortable few days.
Water Damage
Water damage is also a concern. If the liquid is allowed to pool on your floor, it can result in extensive damage that your insurance may not cover. The carpet may develop mold or mildew and need to be replaced, while wood flooring can swell and warp. Even tile or concrete can be damaged, as the water leaking from your furnace may be acidic. At worst, water may get through the subflooring and impact your foundation.
What Are the Causes of Furnace Leaks?
There are many potential causes for furnaces to leak water, though your issue depends on the type of heating system you have. High-efficiency furnaces, which are increasingly popular, have to contend with condensation due to the extreme heat produced. Of course, conventional furnaces have their problems that can result in leakage.
Blocked Drainage
All the condensate created by high-efficiency furnaces has to go somewhere. That’s why these heating systems have a drainage pipe, usually built through the floor. If this pipe gets blocked, the condensate will back up and eventually spill into the furnace and surrounding area.
The same issue may arise if there’s a clog in the condensation line. Alternatively, the line may break and become the source of a leak.
Damaged Heat Exchanger
In high-efficiency furnaces, the heat exchangers also come in contact with condensate. If one is broken, it can allow that liquid to escape into other areas of the furnace. This is a significant issue, as it may allow dangerous fumes to escape.
Wrong-Sized Flue
Conventional furnaces aren’t supposed to create condensate, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a problem. In a conventional furnace, the heated exhaust exits your home through a flue, which works because hot air rises.
However, if your flue is the wrong size, the exhaust may be allowed to cool before it exits. This can result in its transformation from gas to liquid. This cooled liquid is then pulled back down by gravity, filling your furnace and potentially leaking onto the floor.
Leaking Humidifier
Heated air tends to be dry, which isn’t very comfortable. To add moisture back into the air, most furnaces have humidifiers connected to your plumbing. If the humidifier is clogged or damaged, water can get diverted from its natural path and end up leaking into the furnace.
What Should You Do If Your Furnace Is Leaking Water?
One of the first things you should do is call your local Gilbert heating expert and get a professional to look at the issue. While it’s possible to DIY a furnace repair, you may do more harm than good if you’ve never worked on a heating system before.
In the meantime, you want to mitigate the damage as much as possible. While the technician is on the way, you should follow these four steps.
- Turn Off the System
Whatever the problem is, turning off the system may stop it from worsening. At the very least, it means your furnace won’t be exposed to water while electricity is running through it.
- Clean Up Water
The longer water sits, the more gets absorbed into flooring, so the best way to prevent damage is to clean up puddles as soon as you notice them. You should also investigate around your furnace to see if there are any spots you may have missed. Additionally, be on the lookout for these signs:
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- An unpleasant odor
- Stains you can’t remove with washing
- Cupping or buckling of laminate or wood boards
- Cracking or peeling linoleum or vinyl
These indicate that water damage has already occurred, and restoration is needed.
- Look for Source
It isn’t always possible to identify the source of the leak on your own, but while you’re checking your furnace’s integrity, you may notice signs that can help the technician find the problem. As you examine your furnace, keep an eye out for the following:
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- Wet air filter
- Damage to the humidifier
- Damage to condensation pipes
- Replace Filter
The air filter is an integral part of your heating system, as it catches dirt, pollen, dandruff, and other allergens. When it’s functioning well, it improves your home’s air quality and can reduce allergy symptoms. You may even be able to clean less frequently, as it traps that infamous San Tan Valley dust.
If your filter is dirty, clogged, or wet, it should be replaced. Not only does a damp filter fail to do its job, but it can also lead to a mildewy smell or even mold spore dispersal.
How Can You Stop Your Furnace From Leaking?
Superstition Cooling is here to help when you need emergency heating repair services. We serve the East Valley area, including Mesa and Queen Creek, and are dedicated to offering fast solutions. If your furnace is leaking water, don’t hesitate — give us a call at 480-983-7407 or contact us online to request an estimate today.