Residents of Odessa and Midland enjoy a desert climate, but that doesn’t mean we’re immune from some cold spikes throughout the winter. When that happens, you need your furnace to work properly to keep you warm and toasty. A major red flag for any homeowner that uses gas heat is seeing water around the furnace. In this post, we’ll examine the problem of a leaking furnace, what causes it, and how you can fix it.
HUMIDIFIER LEAK
It’s possible that your home has a humidifier attached directly to the furnace. This is great for adding moisture to the air, especially in the ultra-dry climate of West Texas. However, because it creates excess moisture, it can often contribute to a leak if there’s a clog or broken mechanism around the humidifier or furnace.
CONDENSATION LEAK
A condensation leak is a common reason to find water around your furnace. Modern, high-efficiency furnaces require two heat exchanges. This process causes increased moisture, which leads to condensation. This liquid should drain out of your home via a drainpipe, but if the pipes break or are clogged, the water can accumulate quickly and lead to damage.
FILTER CLOG
It may seem odd that an air filter could lead to a water leak, but it could happen. When air filters are clogged, it makes your entire unit work harder, while at the same time restricting airflow to your furnace coils. This can lead to the coils freezing, which will cause the entire system to malfunction.
PLUMBING LEAK
Sometimes water around your furnace isn’t necessarily coming from the furnace itself and could be coming from somewhere in your plumbing system. While leaks are never a good thing – this could actually be good news because a simple plumbing leak is likely easier to fix than a complicated furnace repair. Either way, it’s something you shouldn’t ignore.
LEAKING AIR CONDITIONER
Here in Odessa and Midland, it’s not uncommon to use both your heater and your A/C during the mild winter. You may even need both on the same day. Condensation that is naturally created through the air conditioning process can build up and drip onto the furnace. This may cause you to think there’s a leak on the furnace, when in fact there is not.
HEAT EXCHANGER
Heat exchangers within a furnace are another source of condensation. Whenever moisture is created, there’s always the possibility of a leak. This is rare for heat exchangers but has been known to happen.
WORTH THE CALL
If you determine that your furnace is leaking, there are a few things you should do right away. The faster you act, the less time and money you’ll spend on repairs:
- Turn off the heat
- Clean the area around the furnace, including any standing water
- Call The Bosworth Company
Leaving water around any location of your home is never a good idea, and can lead to extensive damage. The experts at The Bosworth Company can diagnose any HVAC-related problems, and get you fixed up fast without a lot of headaches. Make an appointment online, or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.