Why is My Furnace Leaking Water?

You just found a puddle underneath your furnace. What does it mean? Why is the furnace leaking? Do you need to call for professional furnace repair in Saratoga, CA? Water damage can be a serious problem and leaks can impact other areas of the home like the floor, ceiling, and walls. These need to be remedied right away. Here is what you need to know.

Why is the Furnace Leaking Water?

There are several reasons a furnace might be leaking. Here are some of the most common:

Condensation Leak on High-Efficiency Furnace

This is perhaps the most common reason for a furnace to leak. A high-efficiency furnace runs at an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 90 or above. These types of furnaces have two heat exchangers to produce more heat. They are also known as condensing furnaces because they have a cool exhaust and produce condensation. The condensation is routed to a floor drain. So if you see a leak you might have a clogged drain or blocked tubing.

Condensation Leak on Standard-Efficiency Furnace

Really, there should be no water involved with a standard-efficiency furnace. If the furnace has a metal exhaust pipe and an AFUE rating lower than 90 then you have a standard-efficiency furnace. The furnace extracts some heat from the combustion gases and quickly vents it through the exhaust pipe so it doesn’t have time to condense into moisture. Thus, it shouldn’t have any condensation. But if there is a leak, it could mean the exhaust pipe or flue pipe is not the right size.

Humidifier Leak

A standard-efficiency furnace might also have a built-in humidifier. Humidifiers need water to create humidity. So water is constantly flowing in and coming out of the humidifier as it adds moisture to the air. If there is a clog or break in the line this could cause water to pool around the base of the furnace.

Plumbing Leak

Water pooling around the furnace may not be coming from the furnace at all. It might just be an issue with the plumbing. A broken or clogged pipe could cause a backup in the drainage system and it only seems like the water is coming from the furnace. That is good news for your furnace. But the leak still needs to be repaired as soon as possible before it can cause more extensive damage.

Clogged Filter

If the filter is clogged it will restrict the airflow through the furnace coil. This can cause the coil to freeze and thaw, causing water to leak and pull around the unit. This is why replacing the furnace filters is such an important part of home maintenance.

What Should You Do if the Furnace is Leaking?

When you notice water pooling around the furnace, you need to act fast and do what you can to figure out where it is coming from. Shut off the entire system. There should be a switch next to the furnace, or simply shut off the unit at the breaker. Then thoroughly soak up all the water with a towel or a wet-dry vacuum. Then find exactly where the leak is. This will give you a good idea of what the problem is and which professional to call for help.

If you do find a leak from your heating system and need furnace repair in Saratoga, CA contact Pelle Heating & Air Conditioning.