Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Gas Furnace Question

I found white fuzz around my furnace on my concrete basement floor. I cleaned it with bleach & water thinking it was mold, painted the floor and the paint blistered with white fuzz under it! I do not get water in the basement and this white fuzz goes directly around the furnace and only in that area. What is this and how do i prevent it?

Hello: Lizzy

About the only white powdery substance, sometimes found around pilot assemblies, is sulfur residue.

Natural gas contains trace amounts of sulfur and other chemicals. When the gas contains higher amounts of sulfur, not all of it burns completely. This may be the white powdery {Fuzzy} substance your referring to.

The cleaning and painting process you described to remove the substance I am not familar with.

Several other resident heating and cooling professionals, replying within this forum, may have additional helpful information. Possibly a better understanding of the conditions, based on the nature of your question. Check back several times for additional replies.

Regards & Good Luck, Forum Moderator.
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By the way, the fluff is very similar to cotton candy (white). We burn oil and it is a forced air furnace. How can i tell if it is sulfur? Thank-you for your help.

Hello Liz,
The symptoms you indicate remind me of effloresence (sp?).
It can be etched from surfaces with muriatic acid (follow all instructions on containers) and sealed after proper cleanup with a waterproof paint.
You may want to research effloresence for more information regarding its composition and deterence.
If it is indeed effloresence this condition was not caused by your furnace.
NRG

I agree. Could have been caused by water on the floor causing it. It leaches out of concrete and is not related in any way to your furnace.