# Water Poured into Furnace Exhaust Pipe

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-poured-into-furnace-exhaust-pipe/658820>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 20, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-poured-into-furnace-exhaust-pipe/658820 "2013-05-20T14:31:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![scotthult](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@scotthult](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotthult)\
**Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-poured-into-furnace-exhaust-pipe/658820/1 "2013-05-20T14:31:41Z")

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Hi - a neighborhood child placed my sump pump hose into the furnace exhaust pipe (white PVC pipe sticking up) on the outside of my house. I believe it pumped through one cycle before I found it.

I discovered a large puddle of water below the furnace and water was in collection pans inside the furnace compartment. I turned off the furnace/AC, soaked up as much water as I could and pointed a fan at the unit to dry everything off.

I figure that it’s ok if some water gets in since the exhaust pipe is open with no cover - rain could easily blow in at anytime.

What can I do to make sure everything is ok? Could there be a big risk?

Thanks!