What’s Really Happening When Your Furnace Leaks

If you are like many other homeowners, you likely have never considered that your furnace can leak. Perhaps this is a phenomenon that you associate with air conditioning systems. Some homeowners who experience leaking furnaces mistakenly think that their AC systems are the root cause of the leaks in their furnaces. The following are a few reasons why your furnace might be leaking.

Drain Clog

If you have a high-efficiency furnace, it likely has a line that extracts condensation from the furnace into a floor drain. During the months when your furnace is not used, the line can get clogged with dust or other debris. The blockage that occurs prevents proper drainage, which means that the condensate water will exit the system in the form of a leak. Hopefully, you will notice this type of leak issue in a reasonable time frame because the leak can result in water damage to nearby structures such as ceilings and walls. 

Condensation Issue

As mentioned, this issue presents itself as a clog in high-efficiency furnaces. However, if you have a standard furnace that is leaking, it may be related to the flue pipe in the furnace. During the heat exchange process, the exhaust that should be exiting the heating system in the form of hot air might be cooling the flue pipe causing it to condensate. This means that eventually the wetness will make its way back into the furnace in the form of a leak.

Malfunctioned Humidifier

Your furnace has a humidifier. When it is working correctly, there will not be any signs of a leak. A malfunctioned humidifier puts the internal components of your furnace at risk for damage, which can be an expensive repair. This is why it is best not to operate your furnace if you notice that it appears to be leaking. Even if it blows out warm air, continuing to operate it can damage the critical inner components. 

An HVAC services contractor is a good resource to use to determine the exact nature of a furnace leak. You instinctively knew that this was an odd phenomenon for a furnace, which is why it is something that should not be treated as a minor heating issue. Even small amounts of water or moisture can cause mold to spread in your heating system, which can make you and your family ill. The best way to avoid a furnace leak is to get a furnace tune-up performed before winter arrives. This will help you to avoid unnecessary medical and heating bills. Contact a company like Kayvon HVAC to learn more.


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