Why is My Furnace Leaking Water? How to Fix It
I bet you’d get worried or concerned when you find your furnace leaking. A water leak is not an uncommon occurrence in many houses but it still poses a problem.
Your leaking furnace could lead to different problems like high-cost repair or the growth of molds in your home. And if this continues for a long time, your furnace might just stop working altogether.
This article will explore why your furnace leaks and ways to fix the leakage problem.
Why do furnaces leak?
Below are the reasons why the furnace leaks.
1. Obstructed or Burst Condensation Pipe
When the condensation pipe is blocked by debris, dirt, or mildew it becomes difficult for the water in the furnace to flow out of the pipe smoothly.
The consequence of the lack of water flow is that the water returns to its source and this causes water to leak.
In other cases, there can be a burst or break in the condensation pipe which leads to water leaking from your furnace.
2. Clogged Filter
Clogged furnace air filters cause a blockage in airflow; it also disrupts proper heat distribution.
This consequently has a gradual freezing effect on the condenser and evaporator. So that when you turn off the heating system, frozen particles start to melt and drip into the pan which causes water to leak from the furnace.
The best way to avoid this is to keep your furnace filter clean at all times.
3. Improper Installation
Improper installation causes water to leak from your furnace even if it is brand new. Proper installation of your furnace requires that you employ the service of a professional technician to handle the installation.
Also, constant repairs that are not done by a professional can cause leakage. So, for either repairs or installation, you should not compromise on employing a professional technician.
What to do when your furnace is leaking
When you notice your furnace leaking water, the best solution is not to panic, instead employ the methods that will be explored below.
1. Turn off the HAVC (Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) system
Upon notice of a leaking furnace, the first thing to do is turn off the furnace from the thermostat or the switch.
Taking this step stops the excess flow of water from your furnace.
Although this is not a permanent solution, it’s a way of reducing leakage from your furnace.
2. Clean up the water around the furnace
Another step towards fixing a leaking furnace is cleaning up the water around it. You can achieve this with the use of towels or napkins.
Clean out all the water around the furnace to avoid mould growth or worse problems. You might want to consider using a wet vac if the water is in excess.
3. Unscrew the front panel of the surface
Unscrewing the front panel of the furnace is quite feasible once you know how to handle a screwdriver. It’s best to clean up water from the inside before it starts leaking out.
4. Call an HVAC pro
This step is the last resort if you can’t seem to fix your leaking furnace. A professional HAVC technician will handle the problem without mistakes.
Also, constant maintenance of your furnace will reduce the risk of having a leaking furnace.
