Water Around Your Furnace in the Summer — Indianapolis Guide
Furnace Leaking Water: What Causes It During the Summer?
Updated on 8/17/2023
Is your furnace leaking water? This article will help you understand what causes it and how to troubleshoot the issue.
What Does It Mean If My Furnace is Leaking Water?
During normal operation, your air conditioner produces a significant amount of water in the form of condensation from your evaporator coil. That water gets channeled to the drain line—most often a 3/4 inch, white PVC pipe—and then flows to a floor drain, sump pump, or another type of drain.
When working properly, the only sign of water should be a periodic dripping noise. You shouldn’t see water on or around your indoor system—you should only hear it dripping. If you do, then it’s a sign that something’s not functioning correctly.
Regular preventative maintenance on your air conditioner can help prevent most water damage issues. If you’re already seeing water around your furnace, here are the likely causes and steps to take.
Common Causes of Water Leaking Around Your Furnace
PVC Drain Line Plugged
As systems age, dust and dirt can collect on the evaporator coil, falling into and eventually plugging up the drain line. With this restriction, the water will push back into the coil and eventually spill onto the floor.
Filter Plugged
When the filter is plugged, it can reduce airflow through your coil. While this will most likely cause a frozen coil first, sometimes the airflow restriction caused by a blocked filter will cause water to develop.
Drain Pan Has a Leak
If water sits too long in the pan below the coil, rust and holes can develop, allowing water to leak out.
Condensate Pump Problems
If your home has a condensate pump, then you have one more electrical component that can break down.
Steps to Stop Water Leaking Around Your Furnace
1. Shut Off System
Look for the shutoff switch (which looks like a light switch) next to the furnace and coil, and turn it off. If you cannot find this, shut off the system at the breaker.
2. Clean Up Water Quickly
Sitting water will do quick damage to whatever it touches, so be sure to soak it up quickly.
3. Check Filter
Check that the filter isn’t blocking airflow.
4. Place Vacuum Around PVC Drain Line
Using a water-safe vacuum (like a Shop-Vac®), remove any debris and potential clogs. Then turn on the air conditioning system and monitor to see if this fixed the leak.
5. Pour Water Into Top of Condensate Pump
If the condensate pump doesn’t react, it indicates a mechanical failure. If it does pump the water, then the drain line from the pump to the drain is clear.
Need Help?
If you’ve taken these steps and are still seeing water where it shouldn’t be, give us a call at HomeSense. Sometimes these issues require disassembling air conditioner and furnace components to diagnose.
