- 12 November 2020
- Heating
You’ve heard of plumbing leaks and roof leaks … but what about a furnace leaking water? How does that happen and what should you do?
First of all, keep in mind that any kind of leak is bad news. The drip, drip, drip of unwanted water can cause a lot of water damage.
So start with damage control now and take the time to figure out the leak’s causes later. Here’s your very first move:
Shut Off The Furnace Leaking Water
Turn the thermostat setting to “OFF.” Then switch off the gas line that supplies your furnace and the breaker controlling its electrical power. Great! You’ve stopped the problem from getting worse, for the time being.
Call Appleby Home Comfort For Expert Furnace Repair
Once you’ve got your furnace safely shut off, call Appleby for expert furnace repair, at
905-877-8990. (We‘re available 24/7 for emergencies.) A furnace leaking water is a problem that should be tackled only by professional electricians, so don’t take the risk of trying any DIY fixes.
Clean Up That Water!
Here’s something that you can – and should – do yourself. Clean up the water that leaked onto the floor. You’ll protect your basement flooring and the rest of your home from water damage and ensure that nobody slips in the puddle next to your furnace.
Time To Troubleshoot Your Furnace Leaking Water
Now you’re ready to look at reasons why your furnace was leaking water. There are several possible causes, often depending on whether you have a high-efficiency furnace (AFUE rated over 90%) or a conventional type.
1. Condensate Line (High-Efficiency Furnace)
Your HE furnace transforms vapour to water during its heat exchange process. This condensed liquid is usually directed away from your furnace to a nearby drain by the condensate line. If this line develops holes or blockage, the water may leak out of your furnace. (Regular furnace inspection, as part of a maintenance plan, can nip this type of problem in the bud.)
2. Condensate Pump (High-Efficiency Furnace)
This pump is part of the equipment needed to direct condensate safely away from your heating system. If it malfunctions, furnace leaks can result. Fortunately, condensate pump replacement is an affordable plumbing repair.
3. Metal Vent Pipe (Conventional Furnace)
While HE furnaces have PVC vent pipes, conventional models have vent pipes made out of metal. These metal vent pipes must be sized accurately to exhaust the hot gases produced during the fuel combustion process. Otherwise, the gases cannot escape until they cool to liquid and leak out of your furnace.
4. Humidifier or Air Conditioner
An unexpected explanation could be that it’s not actually your furnace leaking water, but rather another part of your HVAC system. The leakage might be coming from your whole-house humidifier, or even your air conditioner if between-season Georgetown weather is causing you to flip-flop from heating to cooling.
Be Sure To Change Your Furnace Filter
Even after your furnace has been successfully repaired, there’s one final step. That is, change the furnace filter. All that leakage presumably affected your filter, and a damp air filter is basically useless. So swap the existing filter for a new one (or dry it, if you use a permanent filter).
Now it’s time to switch the furnace on again and enjoy its cozy warmth … at last!
Keep Your Furnace Working Right
To keep your furnace up and running all winter long, count on Appleby Home Services for maintenance and repair. And when it’s time for a furnace replacement, we’ll help you choose the best one for you.