What can I safely do to remove water from the bottom of the furnace that has overflowed in my home?

Question

I called the repairman today about my furnace because my thermostat kept shutting on and off. He wasn't able to make it in, so I snooped around.

The thermostat kept shutting off because the excess water would flip the breaker. When the water drain after about 45 minutes or so, the thermostat came back on in it's default settings (85 degrees!). It would run until the water backed up again and turned it off.

I ended up finding a 2" deep puddle of excess water at the bottom of the furnace that had been collecting from the overflow. (I imagine I have a problem with it draining somehow.) There is no place down there for that water to drain, so I need to remove it somehow.

Are there any safe methods to removing that water at the bottom? Siphoning? Soak it up with a towel? Anything I can do and not shock myself? Thanks!

Answer 1

I would get a wet vac and vacuum it out
baring that I would sop it up with a sponge or rag and then have a fan blow on the area to help dry it out

you should find out the definite cause and try to prevent this in the future

Answer 2

The unit that is dripping from the overflow pipe has a plugged "primary drain." This is very common because the pipe diameter is small and the flowrate is so low, that you can get mold buildup in the drain pipe. I live on the texas gulf coast and have this same problem You can check the line out of the AC unit to insure it's open. If the main drain is plugged, you will have to roto-rooter the main drain line from the attic out of the house.

Answer 3

I assume that the water you are talking about is the condensate from the AC unit. Turn off the circuit breaker at the main panel and then use a wet/dry vacuum to get the water out. If you don't have one, then use towels and a bucket to get the water out. Your condensate drain line is plugged somewhere. You will need to find the plug and then clear it out.

I am not too sure about the breaker that is tripping and then resetting itself. That doesn't sound right to me. If it trips then you should have to reset it yourself. Have the repairman check it out.

good luck.

Answer 4

Use a wet dry shop vac. And then use it on your drain line to unclog it. Easy fix with one tool. After you clear the line put some bleach- about 1 cup in the drain to kill the mold and fungus that grows in the lines.

Answer 5

EASY EASY use a wet/dry vacuum find out where your drain is plugged and keep it clear make sure you dry bottom of furnace good you do not want it to rust

Answer 6

Odd answer, Kotex? Diapers in the house? Sponge? Wear rubber shoes. Place a two by four to stand on maybe?
Ask under electrician area too!

Answer 7

wet/dry vac

but , i think you need, to dig a hole,and install a sump pump
and move your elc, switch , up higer than the water level
or you can die , from shock

Answer 8

no access for wet vac