Three Things That Can Cause Physical Damage To Your Heater
When a heater stops working it's often due to the effects of age and parts failure, but direct damage can also be a cause. Despite being inside your house, there are still several ways your heater can suffer physical damage. If these have caused your heater to fail, you'll likely need the help of a professional to get things back up and running.
Pests
Pests are a common source of damage to many different heating components, from wires and cables to the ducts themselves. Rodents are frequently the source of damage; not only will they nibble on objects to keep the growth of their teeth under control, but ducts serve as a safe and efficient highway through your home that they can use to find shelter and search for food.
This damage can result in everything from decreasing energy efficiency to the very serious risk of electrical damage to your home. Luckily, pests often leave signs of their presence. With rodents in particular you may notice nests or droppings and in some cases foul smells or an increase in negative health symptoms. If you notice these in conjunction with more heater failures, contact a specialist to inspect your system for damage.
Weather
Your heater is protected from the elements inside your house, but only so long as your roof remains weatherproof. If your roof and attic have any leaks, this can allow moisture inside. Moisture can quickly cause electrical issues if it starts to pool on or around your furnace, or if it starts to affect any part of the circuit your heater is installed on. This can be the case regardless of whether you have an electric or gas heater, as even gas heaters need electricity to run some of their parts.
If you suspect inclement weather might be the cause of your heater's failure, look out for circuit breakers that trip more than usual when it's stormy, or see if your heater turns off earlier than it should.
Lack of Maintenance
A lack of maintenance can build on itself, and minor problems can become more serious. The main risk here is physical damage that can come from wear and tear on old parts. For example, if you have a blower that needs new bearings or a fan that isn't properly aligned, parts can start to strike each other and cause other parts to loosen, become dented, or even get outright broken and unsalvageable. These types of problems can quickly get expensive, so it's worth taking care of them as soon as you notice them.
Luckily, these issues tend to be easy to notice and are commonly heard in the form of banging or shrieking sounds. If you notice these, contact a specialist right away before you use your heater much more.
Contact furnace repair services to learn more.