My Heating Pipes Are Leaking

Causes

• Gaps around your heating pipes or furnace flue often allow air to leak inside your home. These gaps must be sealed properly to avoid further air movement inside your attic or basement. Aluminum flashing placed around the base of your furnace flue can prevent air leaks. Care must be taken to avoid injury while repairing leaking heating pipes, as they are made from galvanized metal that gets extremely hot.

Effects

• Hot air leaking into your attic or basement causes it to be less energy efficient. Your heating and cooling systems are forced to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, causing an increase in energy usage. Sealing all air leaks and adding adequate amounts of insulation are key to keeping your costs as low as possible.

Solution

• The Environmental Protection Agency recommends sealing leaking heating pipes with a heat-resistant silicone caulk rated for use in high-temperature conditions. Avoid using materials that are not heat resistant, such as spray foam, to seal heating pipes, as this increases the risk of fire. After applying caulk, seal the gap around your furnace flue with aluminum flashing. Be sure no insulation is within 1 to 2 inches of your heating pipes, to avoid fire damage. If your leaking heating pipes are severely damaged, it may be necessary to hire a professional contractor for repair.

Ductwork

• Dirty streaks near the seams of furnace ductwork are good indicators the large, usually rectangular, pipes are leaking hot air that should be carried to your living space. Seal leaking joints with specialized duct mastic or foil-backed tape. Consider applying foil-backed insulation around ductwork that travels through unheated areas after leaks are repaired.

Considerations

• Once your leaking heating pipes are repaired, the Department of Energy recommends inspecting your home for any other problem areas that could raise your energy costs. Window frames, baseboards and fireplace dampers can all let air leak out of your home. Gaps around electrical outlets and switch plates can also allow air leaks. Apply silicone caulk to all visible gaps and place weatherstripping around your doors to keep your home well-sealed.