If you’ve noticed a pool of water around your furnace, don’t panic. Water leaks are one of the most common problems with furnaces, but they can cause serious damage if left unchecked.
If your home’s furnace is leaking water, here’s what you need to know:
Common Causes of Furnace Leaks
Here are some of the possible reasons that your home’s furnace is leaking water:
- Condensation – The most common cause of a leaking furnace is condensation. Furnaces generate a lot of moisture as they run, which must be drained away for the furnace to function properly. If there is an issue with the condensate drain line or if it becomes blocked, the excess moisture can build up and cause water to leak.
- Clogged air filter – Another potential cause of a leaking furnace is a clogged air filter. As air passes through the filter on its way into your furnace, it will cool down, causing any moisture to condense on the filter before being released back into your home as warm air. If your filter is clogged or dirty, this moisture will have nowhere to go and may start dripping from your furnace instead.
- Emergency shut-off switch has been activated – Finally, some furnaces are designed with an emergency shut-off switch that will activate when it senses too much heat or pressure inside the unit. This safety feature is intended to prevent damage by shutting off power to the unit before something catastrophic happens, but it could also lead to a leak if there is too much pressure inside the unit when it shuts off.
What to do if Your Furnace is Leaking
If you suspect that your furnace is leaking water, there are a few steps you can take right away to mitigate potential damage:
- Turn off power to the unit – If possible, turn off power to the unit immediately so that no further water can accumulate around it. You should also turn off any other systems in your home (such as air conditioners) that might be connected to or affected by this issue.
- Check for blockages – Next, check for blockages in any lines running between or near your furnace (such as drainage lines). Clear any blockages you find using appropriate tools like pliers or drain snakes; never use sharp objects like knives or screwdrivers, as these could damage pipes or wiring.
- Replace filters – Replace all filters in and around your furnace, including air and condensate filters (if applicable). This will help ensure that any excess moisture has somewhere safe to go rather than accumulating inside of your system, where it could cause further problems later on.
- Check safety switch – Check if your system has an emergency shut-off switch and test it out; if necessary, reset it according to manufacturer instructions. This should help reduce pressure inside your system so that leaks don’t occur anymore due to overpressure issues.
- Call a professional – Finally, call an experienced HVAC technician! This is the best way to ensure your furnace is running properly and no further damage can be caused. Your technician can diagnose what’s causing the leak and take appropriate action, such as fixing broken pipes or replacing parts within the unit itself.
Is your Las Vegas, NV, home’s furnace leaking? Experiencing any other issues with your heating system? Contact the experts at Sierra Air Conditioning & Heating!
The technicians at Sierra Air Conditioning & Heating have decades of experience inspecting, maintaining, repairing, and installing home heating systems in Las Vegas, NV. You can always count on our expert heating technicians to be responsive and attentive to your needs as we diagnose and resolve any issues with your heating system. There’s no heating problem we can’t solve!
To learn more about our services and to book an appointment, call us today at (702) 380-7044 or visit our website.
