Is Furnace Leaking Water Dangerous? Furnace Leaking Reasons & How to Fix It
Having a heated home is essential at times of extreme winters and snowstorms. Canadians know the value of having a heated furnace fully working when necessary; however, having a faulty appliance can be quite frustrating. One issue they may present with furnaces is water-leaking – when that occurs, many homeowners wonder how dangerous it is and how they can fix this problem.
Yes, Water leaking from a furnace is extremely dangerous due to the risk of electrocution it imposes. When witnessing this incident, homeowners must immediately turn their furnace off, clean the water and contact a professional contractor to deal with any necessary repairs.
A furnace leaking water can happen during any weather condition and for a number of reasons. Whether the furnace is leaking water on the summer or winter, it can be due to condensation, a faulty humidifier or an overflowed pipe.
There are a number of causes that can make a furnace show signs of damage and have water leaking as a result. Here are some of the reasons for water leaking from furnaces that homeowners should pay attention to:
This is a very common reason for water leaking in furnaces. Highly efficient furnaces have a cool exhaust that produces a lot of condensation that leads to a floor drain , or to water dripping from the furnace.
Different parts of the furnace can produce condensation and cause leaks:
The drain hose of a furnace can easily clog due to excess dirt or dust in its draining tube, resulting in damage or disconnection and, eventually, causing water to come out of the furnace.
In furnaces, water flows through a drain line that, if ever clogged, disconnected or damaged with cracks and holes, can cause water leaking.
Condensate traps in furnaces are also subject to clogging. When condensate traps get clogged, water can overflow and leak from the furnace.
Water drains to condensate pumps, and these parts can easily clog when the drain is blocked. A faulty pump can cause water to back up and leak from the furnace; in this situation, a professional will need to replace the furnace completely. Most pumps last between 3 to 5 years, and after this time period, it tends to clog often.
Apart from condensation, heat exchangers in a furnace can also cause water leaking. When the heat exchanger captures heat for a home and the gases cool down, they eventually condense to liquid form. Furnaces that leak due to heat exchanger often require a full replacement.
A humidifier can easily leak inside a furnace, and a professional HVAC specialist can look into it when checking for any furnace leaks. Humidifiers sustain a lot of liquid; therefore, leaking can be expected from them. A technician can alert homeowners of a leaking issue caused by humidifiers very early on and easily solve the problem.
A system clog often happens when an air conditioning shares the drain system with a furnace, and a clogging issue sends water to the furnace, resulting in leaks.
Water leaks in furnaces are a huge, dangerous issue and can cause serious accidents. The best way to fix water leaking from furnaces is by contacting a heating and cooling specialist like ALP Heating– they will be capable of quickly assessing and diagnosing what is causing the water leak on your furnace and fix it right away in the safest way possible.
However, you can fix leaking water from furnace if you keep furnace in good condition. It will also help you from causing other furnace problems.
If you have issues with your furnace leaking water and don’t know the cause for it – condensation, pump or drain – there’s no need to worry. Our professional technicians at ALP Heating are more than happy to help. Call us at 647-972-8714 to request a free quote today!
1) What can I do if my furnace is leaking water?
If you notice water coming out of your furnace, it is best to contact a specialist to fix the issue. Water leaking from furnaces is extremely dangerous, and a professional in cooling and heating knows how to deal with the problem appropriately.
2) What is causing my furnace to drip water?
Water can overflow from your furnace if there is a lot of condensation, or an issue with the furnace’s humidifier, heater or drain system.
3) Can ALP Heating assist me with my water leaking furnace?
Our contractors at ALP Heating are experts in all cooling and heating systems, and they will know right away what is causing water to leak from your furnace. If you want this issue resolved right away, call us or visit our website – and we will fix your leaking furnace right away!