After a day at the Amarillo Botanical Gardens it’s nice to come home to a warm house. But if your furnace is leaking water you need help fast. The team at Frank’s Repair Plumbing, Inc. has the answers to why your furnace is leaking water, where it’s coming from, how to prevent water leaks and when to call us, your plumbing and heating experts.
Why Your Furnace is Leaking Water
Other appliances can leak in your home too, like whole-house humidifiers. But if you see water leaking from your furnace there are several reasons why. Here are the most common reasons your furnace is leaking water:
- Water Condensation: This is the most common reason for a furnace leak. Water is forced out of the heating vents and drips and forms small puddles of condensation. But a lot of condensation or water buildup means there’s a big leak.
- Blockages: Clogs and blockages prevent water and air from flowing through your vents, ductwork and other components and causes a leak or water under the furnace.
- Plugged drain line: A clog in your drain line will leak. This line carries water away from your furnace but when it’s clogged it backs up and eventually leaks.
- Dirty filter: Changing your furnace filter is part of good maintenance. If your filter gets dirty or clogged it will leak around the furnace.
- Failed pump: If water is dripping from your furnace it might be because the condensate pump has failed. This part pumps water into your home to warm the air. But if it’s malfunctioning it has to work harder to get rid of excess water and condensation forms and water leaks from the furnace or onto the floor.
Where Is the Leak Coming From? Locations and Causes
A furnace leak can be caused by many things. Here are some examples of different leak locations and why they happen.
- Drain hose: The drain hose slopes down from the furnace exhaust pipe. If this pipe or tubing is damaged, clogged or disconnected you’ll see condensation leaking near the area.
- Inducer assembly: This part runs down the flue pipe and through the furnace’s condensate hose. If the inducer assembly is broken or cracked water will leak out of your furnace.
- Condensate drain line: As water exits your furnace it goes through this line. But if there’s a loose connection, holes or cracks you’ll get water leaking. A clogged condensate drain line is another common reason for a leaking furnace.
- Condensate pump: Condensation drains into the condensate pump but if it’s not working right it will leak. Most condensate pumps last between 3-5 years so if you see rust stains or water pooling on the floor from the furnace you may need to have it repaired or replaced.
- Heat exchanger: This critical part transfers heat. If it’s cracked it will eventually leak.
- Air return: The air return takes air from a room and sends it to the furnace to heat. This part can get clogged with dust and debris and causes a blockage that will leak as the furnace has to work harder and produce more condensation.
What to Do When You See Water Under or Dripping From Your Furnace
A little water and minor condensation is normal and not a big deal but major leaks or constant water dripping from your furnace is an emergency. If these leaks go unnoticed they can cause serious water damage to your Amarillo home including walls, ceiling and other parts of the structure. Water damage also causes mold and mildew which can be a health risk to you and your family.
If you see water dripping or pooling under your furnace turn it off and dry out and clean up as much as you can. Then look for any visible dirt or clogs in the drain pipe, filter and other areas you can get to. If the air filter is clogged replace it with a new one and see if the leak stops. Leaks that continue or get worse should be addressed by the state licensed professionals at Frank’s Repair Plumbing as soon as possible so we can fix it.
How to Prevent Water Leaks from Your Furnace
Here are a few things you can do to prevent water leaks from your furnace.
- Inspect and clean the condensate drain line regularly and remove any clogs to keep the condensation flowing.
- Use a mixture of water and bleach to flush the drain line periodically to keep it clean.
- Change the furnace filter as per the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent clogs.
- Try to control the humidity in your home and use a dehumidifier if needed to reduce condensation.
- Get scheduled professional maintenance and furnace tune-ups to catch issues early and keep the important parts of your furnace running smooth to prevent leaks.
When to Call a Pro
Here’s when to call a pro:
- Any water pooling or dripping from your furnace that’s not normal should be addressed by a pro asap.
- Moldy or musty smells in your home means you have a furnace leak that needs to be found, diagnosed and fixed by the pros.
- If you see a clog or blockage in your condensate line or pump call Frank’s now.
Contact Frank’s Repair Plumbing Today
Frank’s Repair Plumbing, Inc. is Simply the Best! With over 70 years of experience our honest and up-front services have earned us an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. We’re a family owned and operated business that’s been serving Amarillo for over 17 years and counting. If you have a furnace leak and want to schedule service call us today.
