After You Notice Your Furnace is Leaking…
It is no secret that your furnace is extremely important since you need it to keep your home warm during the winter. The majority of new furnaces also have a built-in humidifier that enhances the air quality in your home. It also gets rid of mold, mildew, and other things that may be contaminating the air and negatively affecting your home and your family’s health.
You should regularly check the state of your furnace so that it can last as long as possible. Be sure to seek professional help so that it can always remain fully operational.
Unfortunately, as time goes by, your furnace may not perform as well as it should. This may be due to water leaks as it is a very common problem. If these leaks are not noticed and fixed, they can easily cause the furnace to get damaged, expose you to toxic gases and your home may suffer from moisture or water damage. Once you notice any leaking, you need to take action right away.
We will now look at some of the things you should do once you notice that your furnace is leaking.
Power off your furnace
Once you notice water coming out from your furnace, you should turn it off immediately. You can also turn off the breaker. If you’re at risk of getting shocked, make sure to use a plastic or wooden stick to avoid getting hurt. If possible, turn off the relevant water valve to stop the leaking as well.
Clean
Next, you should clean and dry the area as much as possible. You can use a wet and dry vacuum, towels, etc. to remove the water. You should also try to dry the area by ventilating it and even use a fan if possible.
Call your furnace supplier in Ottawa
Once you call your Ottawa furnace supplier, they will be able to get an accredited technician to assist you. It is possible to do many tasks on your own such as swapping out the filter. However, once you have a leaking furnace, it is essential that a professional handle the repair job.
Look At the Situation
There are a couple of things that you’d be able to do to figure out how the leak happened and inform the technician.
Being aware of your furnace type will also help you to determine what is causing the leak. You should be able to find a yellow tag on your furnace which shows its annual fuel utilization efficiency. If your furnace has a rating over 90% then it is a highly efficient furnace. However, if the rating is under 90% then it has a standard efficiency level. If you’re having problems finding the tag, be sure to check under your furnace’s exhaust pipe. Do note that if your exhaust pipe is metal, then it is of standard efficiency whereas a PVC plastic exhaust pipe signals that it is a high-efficiency furnace.
Once you have determined your furnace type, we will look at some of the possible reasons it may be leaking.
Condensation
Furnaces that are highly efficient have 2 heat exchangers. These are necessary to prevent the furnace from overheating. Condensation naturally happens due to this, and pipes are used to move the water away from the furnace. However, leaks may be caused by a damaged or clogged pipe.
Clogged Filter
If your furnace’s filter is clogged, then this may lead to a reduction in its airflow, and you’ll experience more dust and other debris in your home. A clogged filter can also cause leaks due to additional moisture.
Damage to the Humidifier
The humidifiers in your furnace are connected to your plumbing. These work by adding moisture to the air in your home. So, if there are any issues with your humidifier, then this may lead to leaking.
Problems With the Heat Exchanger
In the event that there are problems with your furnace’s heat exchangers, then additional heat can lead to cracks. This can cause your furnace to emit carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. It is costly to fix these types of issues and it may be better to buy a new furnace.
Furnace Services in Ottawa
If you want to reduce the chances of your furnace leaking and having other issues, you should have it maintained on a yearly basis by professionals. In Ottawa, you can rely on JD Swallow to get the job done as they have been in this business for 30+ years. We are fully committed to our job and not only sell high-efficiency furnaces but also offer repair and maintenance services that you can trust.
Contact us today!
