14,000 Americans experience water damage every day. It makes up 29.4% of all home insurance claims, second only to wind and hail at 34.3%.

Most of these are from natural disasters such as floods, but what if you notice your furnace leaking? It can leave a pool of water that keeps growing.

Furnace maintenance helps spot issues like this early, keeping your home safe and your furnace running as long as possible. The more you know about them, the easier they are to fix.

Read on to learn what to do if your furnace starts leaking water.

Why Is a High-Efficiency Condensing Furnace Leaking Water?

There are two main types of furnaces. If the vent pipe is white plastic PVC, it’s a high-efficiency condensing furnace. If its metal, it’s a standard or conventional. You can also check its AFUE or annual fuel utilization efficiency rating: high efficiency is 90-98.5%

There are several reasons that a high-efficiency furnace may start to leak. Most of them come down to malfunctions in their internal parts.

The heat exchangers in a high-efficiency furnace absorb heat and expel gas that turns into liquid. The condensation drain usually carries it out. If it becomes clogged or broken, that liquid could leak out of your furnace. 

The condensate drain hose runs into the inducer assembly. They can stop working if they’re damaged, disconnected, or clogged and could cause a leaking furnace due to condensation.

The condensate drain line pump for some applicatons also flushes liquid out. Your condensate pump may also get clogged, leading to leaks and rust stains in the cabinet. If it’s too old, you may need a professional furnace repair to replace it.

Most high-efficiency furnaces have a condensate trap that can make the furnace back up and overflow if not maintained properly.

Why Is an AC Unit Leaking Water?

Problems can also start with the AC. All AC units have one drain pan, and some have two. If they’re cracked or have a hole, excess water will leak out.

A clogged drain line may also get disconnected from the drain pan. That keeps water from passing through and causes water to leak and pool around your AC.

Where to Go When Your Furnace Is Leaking

If you notice your furnace leaking, a bit of maintenance can help repair it and save you from a water damage claim.

Start by determining whether you have a high-efficiency or conventional furnace. That helps you find out where the water is coming from.

If one of the furnace’s internal components is clogged or leaking, you’ll have to have it repaired or replaced. The problem could also be coming from your AC.

Rely on the professionals at Air Comfort Inc. Heat and Air for your furnace repair and maintenance. Send in a service request today.