You’ve gone to inspect your air filter, only to find it’s sopping wet! Thoughts begin to race through your head––“Is my furnace breaking down?” or “Is this going to be expensive to repair?” Fortunately, you don’t need to panic. The bad news is there’s something wrong with your furnace. The good news is it can usually be repaired quickly. However, you should take care of it as soon as possible.
What Are the Risks of a Damp Filter?
A moisture-filled filter is a haven for mildew and mold. Leaving it for too long allows these specimens to grow. As a result, their particles will negatively affect your indoor air quality (IAQ). If you or anyone in your house has allergies, symptoms may flare up almost immediately.
Additionally, the water clogs your air filter, which is detrimental to your equipment. Your furnace will have to work twice as hard to produce the same amount of heating. This leads to longer cycles and wears down the components. For these reasons, you should find a solution to the issue right away.
What Made My Filter Wet?
A clogged condensate line is the most common culprit for a wet filter. The condensate line is a pipe that expels your heat exchanger’s water condensation. Because the condensate water is warm, it can be especially attractive to mildew and mold. Over time, your drain can become clogged with these contaminants leading to an overflow.
What Should I Do to Solve This?
Here are a couple ways to address this issue:
1. Replace your filter.
As previously mentioned, a damp filter is bad for your air and bad for your furnace. You should replace your filter right away. Or, if you’d rather, you can have a technician perform the task.
2. Schedule a repair.
Let a licensed technician take care of the repair. He or she will be able to diagnose the issue at hand, and fix it timely and efficiently. If your condensate drain is clogged, a technician will bypass the necessary safety switches. Then he or she will use a vacuum to clean out the excess buildup from your condensate drain.
Contact Us
Is your filter filled with condensate? Don’t wait! Call AL-DON at 314-567-5585 today to schedule a repair. In addition to repairs, we offer routine maintenance visits. Routine maintenance is a great way to remedy issues (such as a clogged condensate drain), before they become a serious problem. All of us at AL-DON are proud to serve you and your neighbors in St. Louis, MO, and surrounding communities.
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