You Will Thank Me One Day

1/20/2021 (Permalink)

Water pooling from a leaking furnace exhaust

How often do you check the mechanical closet/spaces in your home?  If you’re like me, you are proud of yourself if you remember to change the air filter even once a year.  Like many issues that arise with home ownership, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

I recently went into my mechanical closet to get a folding chair and noticed water on the floor.  “Where did that come from,” I wondered.  It wasn’t the hot water heater or near any plumbing.  It was next to the furnace (see image).  While the amount of water was fairly minimal, it would certainly result in a deterioration of the plywood flooring and create a breeding ground for mold.

I had my HVAC contractor come and the cause was a tiny hole in the exhaust flu.  When the weather turned cold the moisture in the exhaust condensed and ran back down the flu, leaking out onto the floor.  I paid $99 for the service call to have it repaired.

The lesson: check your mechanical areas periodically to look for signs of water, mold, or other mechanical issues that could result in more significant issues if not addressed.  You will thank me one day…