Furnace Repair – Common Causes of Furnace Problems
Furnace systems are complex and have many moving parts. This means that pinpointing a single reason for a furnace problem can be challenging.
Start by checking the power switch directly connected to your furnace (it looks like a light switch). Make sure it is flipped on.
If you smell gas, turn off the furnace, ventilate your home, and contact a professional technician immediately for safety reasons.
A faulty thermostat is often the cause of furnaces not producing any heat. Luckily, you can check several things to see if it’s a simple fix.
First, make sure the thermostat is set to heating mode and that the temperature setting is higher than the current room temperature. This might seem like a no-brainer, but it is actually quite common for the thermostat to be misplaced or for someone in the house to accidentally change the settings.
Next, you can check the vents and registers to ensure that nothing is obstructing them. It’s common for big items like furniture or rugs to block vents and reduce airflow. It’s also possible that the louvers are closed and need to be opened. You can try using your hands or a long wire to open them and restore airflow.
A furnace that turns on but does not produce heat may be low on fuel. If it uses liquid propane or natural gas, it may need to be refilled. It’s also a good idea to check the gas supply line and ensure that it is open. If it’s been shut off for any reason, you can contact your utility company to find out when things will normalize.
Unusual Sounds
Most furnaces produce some noise when they run, and this is normal for a system that ducts warm air throughout the house. However, strange sounds like chirping or banging can signal a problem. If you hear these sounds, turn off the furnace and call an HVAC contractor for help.
A clunking sound can indicate that the blower motor is misaligned, and this issue can cause the fan belt to hit against other parts of the unit as it rotates. Similarly, a knocking noise may point to a cracked heat exchanger or other internal issues that require professional intervention.
The clanking sound of loose screws or panels can also signify that something needs to be tightened. A technician will check for dislodged components and tighten them to resolve the noise and prevent further damage.
Another common issue that leads to unusual furnace sounds is a gas leak or other serious safety concern. These are typically accompanied by obnoxious smells and can put your home at risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. A HVAC technician will perform a safety inspection and address the problem promptly for your safety and comfort.
A rattling sound could indicate a problem with the access hatch, panels, or doors, and an experienced technician will ensure all screws are firmly fixed to reduce the sounds of loose or shifting parts. A loud rattling sound may also indicate a broken capacitor that needs to be replaced. This can be a costly repair, but our technicians can replace the capacitor quickly and efficiently to lower your energy costs and prevent further problems.
Faulty Thermostat
It’s not uncommon for HVAC systems to run into trouble from time to time. However, some problems are more severe than others. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to troubleshoot your furnace and prevent the need for extensive repairs.
A common problem is a thermostat that won’t turn on. If you switch on the system, but the screen remains dark, this indicates that the electrical wires have failed. These wires transmit signals to the thermostat that tell it when to start a heating cycle and what temperature to set. If the wires have ceased to function, your thermostat will be cut off from your cooling and heating systems, meaning that you won’t have any hot or cold air.
Another possible sign of a malfunctioning thermostat is the presence of strange sounds. If the unit is battery-powered, you can replace the batteries to see if this fixes the issue. Otherwise, you can look at your breaker box and check for tripped breakers or blown fuses that are cutting off the energy supply to the furnace.
Additionally, make sure that your ducts aren’t clogged with dust or debris. If they are, you’ll only be able to get warm or cool air in certain areas of the house. If you think this is the case, consider having your ducts professionally cleaned. In most cases, the heat exchanger will need to be replaced.
Faulty Gas Valve
The gas valve is an important part of the furnace that controls the flow of gas into the heating unit. Occasionally, this component can get clogged or damaged by debris that enters it, inhibiting its function. If you have a gas valve issue, it is critical that an experienced HVAC technician inspects and repairs it as soon as possible to ensure your home is properly heated.
If the gas valve is faulty, it can also cause a gas leak, which poses major health and safety concerns. Leaking gas can spread throughout your house and ignite if it comes into contact with any kind of ignition source like a candle or a flame from cooking. This can cause dangerous fires and explosions in addition to posing a threat to your family’s safety.
If you notice the odor of leaking gas, shut off your furnace immediately and open doors and windows for ventilation. Then, exit your home and call an emergency HVAC team for inspection and repair as soon as possible. Inhaling leaking gas for extended periods of time can lead to respiratory issues and even death.
Faulty Flame Sensor
If you are noticing that your furnace frequently shuts on and off, or if it’s taking a very long time for the pilot light or main burner to ignite after it starts, the problem could be with your flame sensor. This part of the furnace is designed to detect a flame, and when it fails to do so, the system will shut itself down until it can. This can be a major inconvenience, but also an energy waste and safety issue.
A clean flame sensor will make sure that both the pilot and main burners stay lit, and will keep your furnace working as efficiently as possible. The good news is that cleaning a flame sensor is generally an easy DIY repair, and can help you avoid expensive furnace repair bills.
However, it’s important to note that if your flame sensor cannot be cleaned or realigned, it is likely time for a replacement. It’s best to contact a professional for this type of repair as they will have the tools and equipment needed to safely and effectively install the new flame sensor.
Before you do any work on the flame sensor, make sure that you turn off all power to your furnace by switching off the switch next to it or removing the breaker for your furnace in the home’s circuit breaker panel. Then, let the unit cool down for 30 minutes before you start. Next, remove the access panel covering the flame sensor, which is a metal rod that looks like a thin and possibly bent arrow. Then, use emery paper or light-grit sandpaper to gently scrub away the soot and debris from the rod.
Faulty Door Switch
If you have a gas furnace, check that the switch next to your house (which looks like a light switch) is flipped up in the “On” position. Also, make sure the home’s power breaker is in the “On” position, too.
The furnace will only start running when enough energy is supplied to the ignitor, which creates the spark that ignites the gas supply and heats the air. If the ignitor is failing, the furnace will continue to run but will not produce any heat.
A malfunctioning ignitor can cause problems in a variety of ways, including overheating. A damaged ignitor can be easily replaced by a qualified heating repair technician.
Similarly, a damaged flame sensor can prevent the system from operating, often due to soot or dirt build-up on its rod. The flame sensor is an important safety feature that should be inspected routinely to ensure it works properly.
If your furnace is blowing air but producing no heat, start by checking that the thermostat is set to a temperature above the room’s current temperature and the fan switch is in the ON or AUTO position. You can also try turning the fan up a few notches. Finally, you can use an ohmmeter to test your door switch for continuity. Note that this test will damage your ohmmeter, so only do it if you have one at home or have a professional repair service available.
How Septic Tank Store Wastewater
Septic tanks store and treat wastewater when there are no city sewer systems. Wastewater flows from toilets, showers, washing machines and kitchen drains to your septic tank.
The weighty solids sink to the bottom of the septic tank to form a layer called sludge. The lighter oils and grease float to the top of the tank to form a layer called scum. Click the Website to know more.
A septic tank is an underground storage tank for sewage waste in homes that are not connected to municipal sewer systems. Waste from toilets, showers, baths, sinks, laundry machines, dishwashers and garbage disposals flows into the septic tank. When the septic tank is full, it is pumped out by a septic system service company.
The septic tank holds the wastewater long enough for solids to separate from liquid, which is discharged into a drain field (also known as a soil absorption field). This is done by hydraulic pressure created when you flush or use water in your home. The tees that extend in and out of the septic tank ensure that the scum layer on top and the sludge layer on bottom stay in the septic tank, rather than making it to the absorption field where they could clog pipes or create an excessive amount of sludge.
In the septic tank, heavy solids like grease and fats sink to the bottom and decompose into sludge. Lighter solids and liquids float to the top of the tank, where they are broken down by bacteria into water called effluent. Effluent is pushed out of the septic tank through pipes that run to a drain field, which is usually in a large flat area of the yard. A distribution box evenly distributes the effluent into a series of trenches in the soil.
The soil in the drain field soaks up and treats the wastewater that has flowed out of the septic tank. The absorption field helps protect drinking water wells and local waterways from pollution. However, if the septic system is not maintained correctly, bacteria, viruses and other pathogens that enter the groundwater can spread to nearby waterbodies and cause disease in people and animals. In addition, excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from the wastewater can cause algae to grow in local waterways. This can result in algal blooms that can choke out fish and other aquatic life. In the worst cases, algae can contaminate drinking water wells and cause health problems for people who drink the contaminated water.
How Does a Septic Tank Work?
All of the wastewater in a home runs through one main drainage pipe, which leads underground to the septic tank. The septic tank is a large, water-tight container built of concrete, fiberglass or polymer. Its job is to hold the waste until natural bacteria break down the solid material. The heavier materials (feces, food waste) settle to the bottom forming sludge, and lighter materials such as soaps, oils and grease float to the top creating scum. The liquid wastewater in the middle is called effluent and exits the tank into a drain field.
The drain field is a series of trenches filled with gravel or other porous material that allows wastewater to seep slowly into soil. The bacteria that live in the soil treat the wastewater before it enters groundwater. If you want to know if your septic system is healthy, hire a professional to do an inspection. The professional will also evaluate whether the tank needs to be pumped out.
Some homeowners use biological additives to speed up the bacteria that break down the waste in the septic tank and drain field. If you decide to add these products to your septic system, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and do not overdose the product. Too much of a good thing can kill the helpful bacteria.
To help ensure the proper functioning of a septic system, all household items should be disposed of properly. Some of the most common items that shouldn’t be poured down the drain include cooking oil, baby wipes, make-up removal wipes, cat litter, feminine hygiene products, diapers, cigarettes, pharmaceuticals and paint thinner. These toxins can harm or even kill the bacteria that naturally treat and dispense wastewater.
What is a Septic Pump?
More than 21 million homes in the United States use septic systems instead of municipal sewer systems. These homeowners have septic tanks that need to be pumped out periodically. Getting your tank pumped is a crucial step in maintaining a septic system and preventing the wastewater that leaves your home from contaminating groundwater or your well. If you have a septic tank, it’s important to maintain it with regular pumping and by keeping a record of inspections, pumping and maintenance.
A septic tank has multiple compartments where waste separates into layers. The heaviest waste, called sludge, sinks to the bottom of the tank while fats and oils float on top to form a layer known as scum. A layer of grey water, also known as effluent, sits in the middle. Effluent is treated by microbes on or near the soil as it seeps through the drain field (also known as the absorption field).
The septic tank is usually made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene, which are durable materials that resist cracking while underground. When you need to have your septic tank pumped, a professional will remove the sludge and scum from the top of the tank and transport it away to the drainage field. The pump may be located in the last chamber of a two-compartment septic tank, or it can be outside of the tank in a pump chamber for single-compartment tanks.
Your septic tank needs to be regularly pumped out to keep the sludge layer from becoming too high. If this happens, bacteria can no longer break down the sludge, and puddles will begin to form in the yard. This is why it’s important to have a reliable septic service provider like All Septic & Sewer to perform routine septic tank pumping.
Another way to prevent septic tank issues is by limiting the amount of wastewater that goes down your drains. This can be done by using efficient showerheads and faucets, washing clothes in batches and not back-to-back and minimizing the number of toilet flushes per day. It’s also a good idea to keep pets and children out of the yard, especially during septic tank cleaning, as they can damage or even drown in the waste water.
What is a Septic System?
A septic system is an onsite sewage treatment system that treats and disposes of wastewater from bathrooms, kitchen drains, laundry machines and household appliances. It includes a tank and a series of pipes that connect the home to the tank and to the absorption field. It is used in homes, rural schools, public toilets and other buildings that are far from a municipal sewer line.
The septic tank is an underground watertight container made of fiberglass, plastic or concrete. It contains a series of compartments for different waste types. The heavier solid wastes sink to the bottom of the tank and are broken down by microorganisms to form sludge. The lighter, liquid wastes rise to the top of the tank and are deposited into the drain field where they are filtered by soil.
There are one-chamber and two-chamber septic systems. Both systems are designed for the number of people living in a home and take into consideration ground and soil conditions. It is important to have a septic system properly maintained and inspected to ensure it functions as designed and is safe for everyone who uses it.
If you see standing water in your yard or hear odors coming from your drains, you may have a problem with your septic system. This is a sign that the bacteria in the septic system are creating gases, including hydrogen sulfide which smells like rotten eggs. The gases must be released to avoid a build-up of pressure that could cause the septic tank or pipes to stop functioning or overflow.
During the pump-out process, a professional will use a high-powered vacuum to remove the contents of the septic tank and transport them away for processing or disposal. It is also necessary to have the septic system regularly pumped and inspected. It is a good idea to map out the location of the septic system components and mark them with stakes. This will prevent vehicles or equipment from damaging the septic tank and distribution box during landscaping, yard work or other construction projects. It is also a good idea to limit how often the family uses the bathroom, shower and laundry facilities to help keep the septic system working efficiently.