Gas Furnace spewing water

[marleymarl]

So I wake up this morning and go downstairs to make coffee and I hear water running in the basement. I rush downstairs and notice water spewing out of the furnace. I quickly start turning knobs on the furnace to stop the water and find the one that stops the water. I also turned off the "emergency" burner switch at the top of the stairs.

So, who do I call to fix this? It's fvcking cold in my house. I have natural gas delivered via pipes. Can I call a regular fuel company and they send someone? Should I call my Natural Gas company and ask them to recommend someone? Any info/advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Batti]

Call the guy that services your furnace. Does your furnace generate your hot water for the house?

 

[PottedMeat]

A plumber perhaps...?

 

[oynaz]

That is a job for a plumber, but the company who delivers your gas might want to do it. Start by calling them.

 

[DrPizza]

hot water baseboard heating?

Some natural gas companies have a little option where you pay roughly $3-$4 extra per month as a sort of insurance... they'll come out and repair it for free if you have this.

Lacking that, you could call them and ask for a recommendation. Good luck!

 

[marleymarl]

Originally posted by: Batti
Call the guy that services your furnace. Does your furnace generate your hot water for the house?

I have a hot water heater next to the furnace. I don't have anyone that services the furnace. I have only lived here about a year.

I just found a link off the Natural Gas website to call for servicing, gonna give them a ring.

 

[marleymarl]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
hot water baseboard heating?

Some natural gas companies have a little option where you pay roughly $3-$4 extra per month as a sort of insurance... they'll come out and repair it for free if you have this.

Lacking that, you could call them and ask for a recommendation. Good luck!

Yah I don't think I have that insurance. Gonna cal them up and hopefully get someone here asap. Thanks for the replies.

 

[j00fek]

call the gas company, they would know who can fix it or get a name then call around for prices

 

[marleymarl]

Ok...the gas company can't send anyone today. not good, its fvcking cold. Time to start dialing heating companies.

 

[j00fek]

yeh best thing to do is call around

 

[marleymarl]

I wonder if I can have the heat on, but just kill the water supply? Theres a small reserve hooked up to the furnace, and then a big 40 gallon water heater. The water was coming out of a "component" - almost looked like an alternator or something. The water hasnt completely stopped, theres a small trickle stipp leaking from the "component". Funny thing is, on the floor next to the furnace is an older looking component. Looks like it was replaced and the old one is just on the floor there rusted.

Any plumbers/handymen on the forums that could give advice if I could turn on the furnace without causing more damage. Look like I wont be getting a serviceman here for quite some time.

 

[0roo0roo]

water coming out of the over pressure valve thingie? excessive pressure inside or something i dunno. probably not since that should dump water out a faucet or outlet not just into your basement unless it was setup wrong. your description was rather vague

 

[aceO07]

I think Home Depot has a contractors department. Maybe they can help you out. Also, you can pick up an electric heater if it's going to take a while.

 

[darrontrask]

what is the make and model of the furnace. I am assuming that it is a boiler system if there was water coming out of it. You may want to try and slowly turn the water back on and determine the exact location of the leak. there may just be a few loose mounting screws from the pump. in thge mean time running a boiler system "dry" should not do any harm as long as the heat is kept to a minimum ~65 and it is not run for days at a time. it will just be very ineffiecnt as you will be circulationg just hot air instead of hot water. Had a similar problem the last place I lived. PM me if I can be of further assistance.

Good luck,

Darron

 

[meltdown75]

Mine was leaking water last summer, not really "spewing"... it was due to blockage in a drainage line. I put my shop-vac in reverse (blower) mode and duct taped the hose to the pipe... when I turned it on it knocked a bunch of gunk loose (drywall dust that had hardened like cement in the line) and it stopped leaking.

I also use my shop-vac to blow dust out of computer cases. It saves me from using up canned air for it and is a heck of a lot more powerful

 

[marleymarl]

Ok since I suck at describing, heres some pics.

The green thing is where the leak is.

leak1.jpg

leak2.jpg

leak3.jpg

furnace.jpg

 

[meltdown75]

eek... that is definitely out of my league!

 

[mrrman]

might be a gasket thats blown...man that looks old

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: marleymarl
Ok since I suck at describing, heres some pics.

The green thing is where the leak is.

leak1.jpg

leak2.jpg

leak3.jpg

furnace.jpg

Look sliek just a bad gasket. With the water off, take the 4 bolts off and pull apart. Inspect the gasket and housing. If gasket is bad and metal housing is good then just get another gasket and be done. If the housing is cracked then you will need to find service parts.

 

[dartworth]

first of all, that is a boiler...not a furnace.


The "green" thing you are pointing to is your circulation pump. The seal may have blown. It can be replaced, but I'm sure they will sell you a whole new pump.

 

[Pepsi90919]

looks like a pump.

 

[Thorny]

Looks like the waters coming from your pump. Call a plumber and they can fix it. DO NOT RUN IT DRY.

 

[Minerva]

Mechanical seal on primary circ pump. Those are pretty small on residential hot water systems. A "heating and cooling" contractor will most likely replace it with a B&G or Taco.

Text

 

[iamwiz82]

Couldn't he use RTV in this situation, assuming he doesn't go nuts with it?

If you don't feel comfortable, join Angies List and find a local company that is highly rated.

 

[Minerva]

RTV is not going to work repairing a mechanical shaft seal. That's like trying to fix a stuffing box with that stuff. If you lived on a ship I'd hope you're good swimmer.