How do I know if my furnace vent is clogged?

How to tell if your exhaust vent is blocked

  1. Furnace doesn’t heat the air. By far, the most common symptom of a blocked exhaust vent is a furnace that doesn’t heat up. …
  2. Furnace heats up for a little while, then shuts off. …
  3. Furnace cover panel gets hot. …
  4. Bad smells when your furnace is heating.




How do you unclog a furnace exhaust pipe?

Scrub the inside free of any dust and debris; then use the handheld vacuum to get out as much as you can. Wipe it clear with a rag or soft cloth and then replace the cap. Cut away any branches or remove any object that might be obstructing the pipe and creating debris. The vent should always be clear.

How do I know if my heat exchanger is clogged?

It is important to spot the signs that may indicate that your secondary heat exchanger is plugged:

  1. The condensate in your condensate drain pan is brown or black. …
  2. Your carbon monoxide alarm goes off. …
  3. A Pungent Odor. …
  4. Water Leaking from the Furnace.

What happens if furnace intake is blocked?





If the intake pipe becomes blocked, the heating system will likely stall and turn off as it can’t pull in the required air for the combustion process. If the exhaust pipe becomes blocked, a safety mechanism should trip to prevent dangerous fumes from entering your home.

Why is no air coming out of one of my vents?

Vents Blockage

If you feel no air is blowing from vents in your house, vent blockage is most likely to be the issue. You might be blocking your air vents unknowingly; a piece of furniture might be in front and blocking the airflow, or you might have closed some vents on a chilly day and forgotten to open them again.

Does a furnace flue need to be cleaned?

All furnaces, even hot water or forced air, should also be inspected and cleaned. Gas systems will create a buildup called scale, a clingy material that coats your flue pipes and makes your unit perform badly or could even force carbon monoxide into your home.

Should there be water in furnace exhaust pipe?



When a high efficiency furnace releases the exhaust gases, condensation is created. This condensation is a significant amount of moisture on the PVC pipe, and it needs to be drained either into a floor drain or a condensation pump. A water leakage occurs when the condensation is unable to drain properly.