Now that the cold weather has returned, you’ll likely be using your furnace frequently to keep your family warm and to heat your home to the desired temperature. However, with frequent furnace usage also comes an increase in the likelihood of furnace puffbacks. This is always a risk with older furnaces and heating systems powered by oil.

What is a Puffback?

A puffback occurs when a furnace misfires and causes an explosion of the unburned oil within the system.  This explosion can sound very similar to a car backfiring. The misfires that lead to puffbacks are typically caused by either debris buildup in the furnace, unburned oil at the bottom of the chamber being ignited, or a delayed ignition that leads to fume build-up.

When your furnace has a puffback, it can come as several small puff backs or a single large, severe puff back that releases soot and smoke into the system and out of the vents.

The Effects of a Puffback

The effects of a furnace puffback can include permanent damage if action isn’t taken right away. But only professional products will be able to restore the structure properly.

Puffbacks can be damaging, because they have the ability to spread soot throughout all areas of your home. Soot can cause damage to building materials like wood and drywall, furniture, and various objects within your home.

The damage caused by soot can become permanent if the materials are not effectively treated. However, the resulting damage from soot is difficult to address because it requires specialized soot cleanup. Puffbacks can also leave behind a foul smell in your home and cause damage to the internal components of your heating system, including the boiler.

Preventing Furnace Puffbacks

Knowing this, you will want to do whatever it takes to prevent furnace puffbacks. It will save you time and money in the long run by preventing damage to your home or heating system. As such, if you take the proper actions, furnace puffbacks can easily be prevented.

Use the following information as a guide on how to prevent furnace puffbacks in your home:

1. Get Regular Maintenance for Your Furnace

The more often a professional inspects your furnace and performs maintenance on it, the quicker any problems can be found, addressed, and fixed. This maintenance, which should be done at least once a year, also ensures the system is kept in good condition. If you have an older heating system that runs on oil, regular maintenance is a must.

2. Have Your Furnace Cleaned Regularly

Regular cleanings will get rid of debris and excess oil buildup within the system that could otherwise cause puffbacks. The springtime is an ideal time to get your home’s furnace cleaned because it marks the end of heating season.

It’s better to get a cleaning done sooner rather than later in the fall as the cold weather approaches. The closer to winter you wait, the harder it will be because technicians could be busy with crowded schedules.

By getting your furnace serviced early in the fall, you will be ready to heat your home when the cold weather returns without fear of a puffback.

3. Be Alert for Leaks, Odors, and Noises

Be sure to hire a professional for complete puffback cleanup services if your furnace has backfired.

If your furnace is leaking oil, emitting odors, or giving off strange noises, these could all be signs that there’s a problem with your furnace. Oil leaks can be found near the furnace itself or at the furnace’s piping fittings.

In the event of an oil leak, you should contact a professional immediately to have the furnace inspected so any issues can be found and repaired.

4. Get a Carbon Monoxide Detector

When puff backs occur, the level of carbon monoxide in your home will increase. By getting a carbon monoxide detector, you can detect a puffback when it is in its early stages.

This will not only help you react quickly and prevent damage from a puffback, but also protect the health of those inside your home as carbon monoxide is quite toxic.

Hire a Professional

When you need maintenance or cleaning for your furnace, the best action to take is to hire an HVAC professional. If a furnace puffback releases soot and smoke into your home, you will need to call a different type of professional to handle the cleaning.

In the event that your home has been dirtied up by a furnace puffback, contact a restoration professional immediately for puffback cleaning services. These professionals will know how to properly clean soot and other debris from your home and they have the proper cleaning products and equipment to restore furniture, building materials, and personal objects affected by soot.

Reacting Immediately to a Puffback

The sooner the damage is addressed, the less total damage there will be from the smoke and soot.  Items and materials affected by soot can become permanently damaged within a couple of days and the soot will continue to spread to new areas until it is contained.

Preventing furnace puffbacks is the most effective way to prevent soot damage in your home, but a quick reaction will limit the damage when a puffback does occur.

About Beth Markowski-Roop

Beth Markowski-Roop is an experienced and knowledgeable professional in the disaster restoration industry for over 12 years since 2012. She has a proven track record in marketing, sales, public relations, and media. Beth is an engaging public speaker and has led workshops and seminars in various industries. She has worked with ServiceMaster Restore and ServiceMaster Clean as a Business Development Manager and Field Marketing Manager, providing support to franchise owners. Beth is currently the Marketing & Sales Director for ServiceMaster By Mason, focusing on disaster restoration and floorcare services. She also works closely with hoarding clients and conducts seminars on the hoarding disorder.