Keeping Employees Productive
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Keeping Employees Productive

Last year, I realized that a few of our employees did not have the best intentions when they came to work. It seemed like their goal was to slack off and avoid work, and it was really frustrating. I realized that I had to do something in order to make things right, so I started working with them to train them. I also installed a camera system and explained the consequences of their actions. Within about six months, we were able to completely overhaul things, and it made a huge difference. This blog is all about keeping employees productive and on track, so that you can keep your company viable.

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Keeping Employees Productive

Help! My Furnace Leaks Water! Can I DIY?

Grace Hanson

What's the first thing that crosses your mind when you see a water puddle leaking from under your furnace? Is it "time to get a new furnace" or is it "can I fix it myself?" It depends. You have to determine if your puddle is caused from a leak, a drip or something that isn't draining properly. Condensate puddling can occur from both older furnaces and today's high efficiency furnaces.

Possible Causes of Puddling

Sometimes water puddles around your furnace base can be simple. Here are some quick and easy items to look for to see if they are the cause of your puddling:

Missing or torn insulation around your copper refrigerant line can cause significant dripping. The insulation is meant to keep the normal sweating of your indoor evaporator coil and your copper refrigerant line in check. You can fix it yourself by making sure it is taped well.

Make sure that plugs are plugged in. If the condensate plug is unplugged, plug it in and see if that solves the issue.

Your furnace will have a drain line. Make sure that it is pitched downward. If it isn't, the water can back up into the line and spill out onto the floor.

The floor drain next to the furnace can get clogged with dirt after time. Make sure that it is cleaned periodically.

If you have any of these issues, you can probably alleviate the water problem with these DIY steps:

  1. Never fix water around your furnace without shutting it down first. If there's no shutdown switch, shut your furnace down from the breaker box.
  2. If you don't go into your basement or furnace room regularly, you can't be sure how long the water has been standing around your furnace. Standing water causes floor or furnace damage or you can slip. Clean it up.
  3. Check your furnace filter. If it's clogged, change it. Sometimes allergenic filters are woven tightly so that allergens have a difficult time getting through. As a result, these filters can also clog easily, reducing airflow. If you keep having an issue with puddling around your furnace due to the filter, consider using one not woven so tightly.
  4. Use a water-safe vacuum to vacuum around your furnace and PVC drain line to remove clogs and dirt. This will help keep your furnace from condensation backups. Once you are sure that your system is clear of debris, try turning your furnace/AC back on and watch for leaks and drips. If the problem isn't taken care of, it will be time to call for furnace repair.

 


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