Reasons Why Water is Leaking from Your Furnace

Water leaks in your house are time-consuming, extremely annoying, and can lead to expensive damage. If you experienced water damage before, you probably know how expensive they are to fix.  

However, what should you do if your furnace starts to leak water? Most homeowners will probably panic, especially during the winter season when furnaces are regularly used. 

Before you hire a Bridgeport furnace repair company for help, it’s ideal to determine the reasons why water is leaking from your furnace in the first place.  

The Culprit Might Be Your AC 

It may not be your furnace leaking water if we’re in that annual gray phase where you use your AC unit one day then turn on your furnace the next. 

Because air conditioners collect a lot of moisture from your home’s air, they feature condensation lines and an internal drainage system that discharges into a drain pan. If there’s a clog or a water leak, or if the drain pan fills and overflows, it may look that your furnace is the cause when it’s actually the condensation leak. 

Leaking Humidifier 

To make their homes more comfortable during the dry winter months, most homeowners may choose to add a built-in humidifier to their heating system. 

These have water constantly flowing through them, so if one leaks or becomes blocked, it appears like your furnace is leaking. Although a leaking humidifier has its own set of solutions, a leaky humidifier is still a water leak. 

Because of this, you still have to hire a professional technician for help to avoid expensive water damage issues. 

Metal Exhaust Pipe Producing Condensation 

Usually, a high-efficiency furnace uses a white PVC vent pipe. If your furnace’s annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) is less than 90, it will have a metal exhaust vent pipe. The exhaust vent transports the hot gases created during the combustion process down the exhaust pipe and discharges them outdoors. 

Gasses can be trapped by additional air if this venting pipe isn’t appropriately sized for your furnace. They cool down eventually, forming condensation that pours out of your furnace. 

Faulty Condensate Pump 

Water is pushed through the lines and away from the furnace by a condensate pump. These can have mechanical issues, which can lead to water leaks. It may occasionally remain on due to a problem with the check and float valves. It’s also possible that the condensate lines were not installed correctly, or that buildup caused a blocked condensate drain line or condensate trap, resulting in furnace leakage and problems. 

Clogged Condensate Lines 

Condensation is produced by high-efficiency furnaces as a result of the heat exchange process. When your furnace is running correctly, the condensation is safely drained away from it via the drain trap and condensate line. 

You’ll notice a puddle around your furnace if there’s a leak or blockage in the condensate lines. 

If you are having a hard time figuring out the reason for your furnace leak, the best thing you can do is to hire a furnace technician to take a look at your unit.