If you have rust on your furnace, it can signify a severe problem that, if ignored, can have dangerous and potentially deadly consequences for you and your family.
While knowing how to repair furnace rust may help maintain its overall condition, it will not prevent any underlying problems from getting worse. The longer you put off furnace rust repair, the more you will have to pay for repairs or, in a worst-case scenario, replacement.
Here’s a furnace rust repair guide, so you can know what is causing your furnace to rust and when you should call a professional to fix it.
Table of Contents
Reasons Furnaces Can Rust
To know how to repair furnace rust, it is important to look at why this rust may occur in the first place.
Rust develops when metal oxidizes in response to water, so if your furnace is rusting, it means something is causing an increased amount of moisture. It will also develop over time because of the combustion gases interacting with the metal of your furnace.
Your furnace may be rusting because of:
- Poor venting
- A misfunctioning whole-home humidifier
- An issue with the blower or condenser
The blower and condenser tend to be made with copper, which can corrode when exposed to certain chemicals and compounds. This includes sulfur and acidic water, both of which are found in furnaces and may corrode these parts if there is an internal leak.
Moisture issues, flooding, and leaks in the surrounding area can also increase how fast your furnace will rust.
Dangers of Ignoring Furnace Rust
If you notice your furnace is starting to rust, it’s important to call heating services to make sure there isn’t a larger problem going on.
Ignoring rust on your furnace can have dangerous and potentially deadly consequences for you and your family. As your furnace rusts, your heat exchangers can weaken and develop cracks.
This can lead to dangerous combustion gases like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous dioxide leaking into your air distribution system and living spaces.
As it is not always possible to see that your furnace is rusting, especially in cases of internal rust, annual maintenance is highly important. Hiring professionals to check the condition of your furnace will help you catch any issues and prevent them from becoming a danger to you and your family.
How to Repair Furnace Rust
Even a small amount of rust can indicate a serious problem. The longer you ignore it, the worse the underlying problem will get.
Though you may feel you can save on the furnace rust repair cost by trying to do it yourself, this is not recommended. Unless you already have the necessary experience to know how to repair furnace rust, this is a job best left to an expert.
If you found this article helpful, be sure to check out our home improvement section for more quality tips and information.
