A gas valve problem is one of the most common reasons homeowners and business call us for furnace repairs. The gas from your supply tank must pass through the valve to reach the rest of the furnace, and once there is a problem with the gas valve, you’ll notice it quickly.
If you suspect gas valve trouble, it’s best to check it out as soon as possible. As West Hartford’s furnace repair experts, we know all the signs. The SM Mechanical Services, LLC, team will look at the top three signs your furnace gas valve is bad.
1. Gas Leak
A bad gas valve can cause gas to leak into your basement or attic (depending on where you have the furnace). In this scenario, your property is at risk. If the gas spreads long enough, any spark in the house can cause a fire and a strong explosion.
Inhaling gas for too long can cause various health problems, including breathing difficulties. Therefore, if you perceive the rotten egg smell of gas at any point, open the windows and doors to let in fresh air. Next, call in an HVAC team to evaluate the gas valve.
2. Furnace Ignition Lockout
If your furnace valve is not working, the furnace may shut down completely and stop responding. If your furnace suddenly stops working, a faulty gas valve is one of the possible causes. The only way to know for sure is to request a professional inspection.
3. Warm Air Delivery Failure
A furnace can turn on without delivering warm air for many reasons, and a bad gas valve is one of them. Without a steady gas supply, the combustion process will fail. Thus, the furnace can’t generate heat for the blower fan to force through your vents.
The blower fan doesn’t need gas to work as it runs on electricity, so your furnace can stay turned on without doing its job.
Common Reasons for Gas Valve Failure
A gas valve can fail for several reasons, including the following:
- Age. Like other components, the gas valves in a furnace that has worked for too long will most likely break down at some point, requiring repair or replacement.
- A glitch in the circuitry. A furnace features complex systems that must work together. These include the gas valve, heat exchanger, and pressure switch. A glitch in any of the components will lead to gas valve problems, among other issues. A control board problem can also affect the pilot light.
- Water leaks. If the gas valve is wet following a leak in its location, it will break down. In that scenario, other parts of the furnace may also fail.
Now that you’ve seen how to know if your furnace gas valve is bad, the next thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t allow the problem to linger. You may be tempted to go the DIY route, but it’s often counterproductive.
Reasons to Call a Professional HVAC Company to Repair Your Bad Gas Valve
Here are some reasons to hand over your gas valve problems to professionals:
Risk of Injury and Property Damage
Gas furnaces have both gas and electrical components. Handling these components can put you and everyone else nearby at risk. Apart from a gas leak, you can expose yourself to the risk of electric shocks. Thus, it’s in your best interest to avoid attempting to repair or test your gas valve.
Risk of More Serious Furnace Damage
You have to go through many steps when it comes to repairing or replacing a furnace, and you must know how the valve works and all the steps necessary to repair or fix the system. If you do the right things in the wrong order or miss a single step, you may end up causing additional damage to the furnace.
One common mistake we see among DIYers is using the wrong gas valve. The valves from different furnace models may look similar, but they are not always interchangeable.
Costly Equipment
HVAC contractors use specialty tools in gas valve testing and replacement. You most likely do not have these tools in your garage, and buying (or renting) them is not cost-effective. You probably won’t use them again for a long time.
A professional installation team already has all the tools they need, so you’ll only pay for their time. Most importantly, they know how to use these tools while you’ll spend significant time learning how to use them. Waiting two to three days as you learn how to fix or replace the valve is dangerous, and the job will only take a professional a few minutes.
Risk of Breaking the Law
DIY replacement may be illegal in your area. Due to the risk of a gas leak causing an explosion, some areas have rules against DIY gas valve testing and replacement. The rules are there to protect both you and your neighbors.
Risk of Voiding Your Furnace Warranty
Most furnace manufacturers have rules against DIY repairs. Repairing or replacing your furnace valves will most likely void your warranty. If your furnace is still under warranty, you must contact an HVAC company for repair or replacement to avoid losing the coverage.
Schedule a Repair with the Local HVAC Experts Near You
If you have a bad gas valve, hand the job over to licensed and qualified professionals. It will save you time, money, and potentially serious headaches down the road. At SM Mechanical Services, LLC, we have the experience, knowledge, and tools for safe furnace repair.
We’ll also set up a maintenance plan for you to prevent a recurrence. The goal is to give you a heating system you can depend on throughout the winter without breakdowns. With proper maintenance, a furnace leaking water in the winter or one that doesn’t deliver enough warm air will not be a problem for you.
For more on how to know if your furnace gas valve is bad or to request an immediate inspection of your valves, call the SM Mechanical Services, LLC, team in Glastonbury, CT, at (860) 530-2632 today.