Some furnace repairs are more common than others. Even if you don’t know anything about heating systems, you probably wouldn’t be surprised to hear that there’s an ignition system that lights the fuel, or a blower fan motor that forces air to move. If you were told one of these things needed to be fixed, it wouldn’t come as much of a shock.
But sometimes there’s an unusual situation that causes a problem with your heating system. What kind of furnace repair needs might surprise you? Here are some odd ones that you probably wouldn’t see coming.
Water Damage
A heating system like a boiler does contain water, but your furnace doesn’t. At least, it certainly shouldn’t! So water damage would occur from an outside source. A plumbing problem, a roof leak, or a flooded basement could all result in water getting on or in your furnace.
If you’re aware that this has occurred, you should have your furnace checked over by a professional instead of waiting to see if there’s a problem. All furnaces, electric or gas, do have electrical components. When these get wet, not only can they be damaged, it can also be dangerous. A qualified technician has been extensively trained to handle situations like this safely.
Disconnected Ducts
Your furnace is running, and parts of your home are staying nice and cozy, but a certain section has absolutely no warm air coming from the vents! What could be happening? Ductwork, which conveys the hot air from your furnace to your vents, comes in sections. Each section must be tightly connected to the next. If it has come disconnected, you may be heating the space behind your walls instead of your living areas.
How could ducts disconnect? If they’re new, it may be because of a problem during installation, with sections just never being connected tightly enough. But old ducts have been through many years of temperature fluctuations and vibrations, and they can eventually come undone as well.
Clogged Flue
One very critical part of a gas furnace is the flue. This is where exhaust is vented, so carbon monoxide won’t build up inside your house. It should have a cap on it, but just like your car’s gas cap, sometimes accidents happen and someone forgot to put it back on or it became damaged. Without the cap, debris can fall in the way autumn leaves fall into your gutters, or birds can nest in it.
Signs of a clogged flue include soot or moisture inside your furnace cabinet from the exhaust being trapped rather than released, or a flame that burns yellow instead of blue. Of course, the most serious sign would be your carbon monoxide alarm going off.
If you suspect that something is wrong with your furnace, even if you’re not sure, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and get furnace repair in Livingston, NJ right away. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to make an appointment.
Contact MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. today with your questions about furnaces!