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When a furnace backfires and produces soot and smoke in the home, a puff back has occurred. Damage from puff backs can range from minor inconveniences to serious damage to both the heating system and property. Thus, according to the severity of the malfunctioning, it can be as minor as a dirty ceiling to as severe as a ruined heating system. If you find that your furnace expels soot or smoke every time after turning it on, you should contact a reputed puff repair service provider. Professionals can repair and clean all marks of chemicals from belongings and the home.

What is a Puff Back?

When furnaces malfunction, they expel smoke and soot. These are called puff backs. When a heater or boiler is not functioning properly, unburned fuel is accumulated in the combustion chamber. When starting the heating appliance, this fuel ignites and can also cause misfires or explosions. Puff backs are very annoying as they produce smoke and soot that covers everything in the home. Moreover, they can be dangerous to a heating system.

Why do Puff Backs Occur?

As you know, puff backs occur from accumulated fuel in the combustion chamber. Now, the question is how does this unburned fuel accumulate in the chamber? Let’s find out some causes of this…

• Leakage in Oil Supply Pipes

Leaks in oil supply pipes produce air bubbles which push unburned fuel to the combustion chamber.

• Shutdown Problems with the Furnace

During a furnace shutdown, the valve is supposed to stop all flows of oil. When there is a shutdown problem, this valve malfunctions and leftover oil leaks into the combustion chamber.

• Damaged or Clogged System

Damaged or clogged furnaces cause problems in the normal flow of oil inside the combustion chamber thereby burning all fuel in it.

• Problem in Chimney

Short chimneys cannot expel smoke and soot outside the house properly. Instead, they spread it in the living spaces.
In case of any of these problems, it is advisable to get in touch with a reputable puff repair service.

What to Do to Prevent Puff Backs?

Every furnace shows signs before producing puff backs. If you are able to recognize these indicators, you can take necessary action for maintenance thereby saving cleaning and repairing costs. What signs should you look for?

• Oil leakage

Oil stains around the oil supply line is a clear indication that a puff back might occur.

• Loud starts

Small “bang” sounds when starting the furnace indicates the ignition of unburned fuel inside the combustion chamber.

• Noise after shutting off

When you shut the furnace off, listen for a rumbling sound which means that oil is leaking in the combustion chamber.

• Strange odors

A burning odor is a warning sign indicating that combustion in the furnace is not taking place properly.
When any of these indicators are visible, you should immediately call up a professional puff repair service before things get severe. When there is a severe puff back, the whole home gets coated with soot and cleaning it without proper tools and equipment is downright dangerous.