An Introduction To Furnace Flue Leaks And Repairs

Furnace repairs help keep your home comfortable in the winter, but they are also crucial for safety. The furnace flue is one of the most important safety components in your heating system. Here's an introduction to furnace flue leaks and the steps that HVAC pros use to repair them.

What Is the Furnace Flue?

As a gas furnace burns fuel, waste gases are left behind. These waste gases primarily consist of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The furnace flue is the exhaust pipe that removes these harmful waste gases from your home.

Furnace flues are usually made of stainless steel or galvanized steel. In most homes, the furnace flue connects to an exhaust vent on the roof.

Leaks can develop in furnace flues over time. Furnace waste gases also contain water vapor, which can cause the flue pipe to corrode. Sometimes, leaks can develop when the joints in the flue pipe fail.

Why Are Flue Leaks Dangerous?

A furnace flue leak may allow toxic waste gases to enter your home. Furnace gas leaks are dangerous and difficult to identify because the gas is odorless and colorless. A carbon monoxide detector is recommended in any home that uses gas appliances.

Flue leaks can cause carbon monoxide to build up inside a home. The rate at which this occurs depends on the size of the leak and how well the house is ventilated.

Carbon monoxide becomes harmful at very low concentrations. Indoor carbon monoxide levels must never exceed 9 parts per million for occupant safety.

How Are Furnace Flue Leaks Repaired?

Furnace flue leaks take time to develop. Regular furnace maintenance from a qualified HVAC technician can give you peace of mind that your furnace is running safely. Your technician will identify and repair any flue leaks before they become dangerous.

To repair a leaking furnace flue, HVAC technicians replace any damaged section of the flue pipe instead of attempting to patch them. The technician cuts a new length of flue pipe to match the size of the damaged area and inserts it into the existing connectors. This process ensures that the exhaust system is airtight and completely safe for your home.

Furnace flue repair is a simple job for a trained technician, but it has huge safety implications for the home. If you suspect that your furnace flue is damaged, stop using your furnace and contact a technician for residential furnace repairs as soon as possible.

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