Why is there HOT WATER in my AIR DUCTS?

Question

I hear running water, I feel steam in 2 of my vents and the only thing that stops it is turning off the water to the house. When the water is on the hot water doesn't last nearly as long as usual and the hot water coming out of the faucet is barely hot at all. When we shut off the water heater you can still hear the sounds but you don't feal the "air" like steam. What is going on!!! Any ideas??

We do have a humidifier but it is shut off and disconnected so that isn't the problem!

Answer 1

Depending on the ago of your home, there may be water shutoffs at various places. The fact that you are getting hot water into the ductwork means that the leak is coming from the hot side of the hot water heater (your furnace won't put that much heat into water to create steam, though) but the problem is probably some place close to the heater. Where are the vents located?
Second, don't do anything to turn off water from outside, but find your water meter, shut off all petcocks/faucets in the house, and watch your water meter readout. If it moves, you obviously have a leak. You can do this over an extended period of time, like while no one is in the home and you are at work.

Then, it is up to you or a plumber to locate a leak in the piping, that is allowing water into the ductwork. Ducting makes lots of turns and has lots of seams, so it would appear that the leaky pipe has a split and is located above any ductwork. Again, finding the leak depends on a lot of things, because the water can be leeching into the ductwork, feeding to a low spot near the furnace, and getting hot there.

Since you are getting little hot water, this is probably your problem. Also check to see if your HWH is running a lot, If there is a leak in a hot water pipe, it will cause your HWH to run more to keep up with the water you are losing someplace else.

You are going to need a professional I am afraid. Most ductwork is riveted at the seams, and unless you can locate the leak and where the water is pooling, it could be you are going to have to take apart the ducting one section at a time.
Just remember, it is highly doubtful you are dealing with any ducting in your walls since all water getting into the ductwork would work its way to the bottom of the ductwork. Also, the fact that you are getting air from the vents means it is not a total blockage, so pooling near the HWH or furnace seems to be your best places to look.
Finally, if you have a humidifier connected to your furnace, I would look to see if it is draining properly through the hose at the bottom. The feed system on most of them do plug up on occasion.

Answer 2

You have a plumbing leak. It is running down thru to the vent/ open area. Have a look into the attic and see where the leak is at. If you can not find it call a plumber and see if they will do leak detecting fro you. Best of luck

Answer 3

i was going to say it sounds like moisture that would cause water but you seem to have that coverd i still think it is moisture in the ducks call in a repair man see waht he says same thing moisture and humidity.