A Guide to Preventing AC Leaks

Air conditioners work by pulling the hot and humid outside air and then blowing it across a cooled, evaporator coil. As this process helps cool down the air inside, it does have a side effect which is the buildup of condensation

AC check in Houston TX

along the coil.

Modern AC designs cause the excess water from the condensation process to pass through a pipe where a drain pan then catches it as it falls. Another pipe then pumps the water out. Unfortunately, ACs don’t always work this efficiently, which may or may not be the fault of the original AC installation. There are instances when certain problems might lead to the water leaking into your premises instead of getting pumped out of it. When not addressed effectively, this can lead to damages not only to your AC unit but even your property.

 

These days, getting a professional to perform an AC repair shouldn’t be a problem. It is, after all, a quick, easy and effective way to deal with AC leaks. Still, it is always worth your while to understand the reason behind the leak. This will give you a better idea of how to address the issue while at the same time, reduce the frequency of you calling the AC experts in, which in turn, helps you save on maintenance costs in the process.

Preventing AC leaks

The most effective way to prevent leaks in your AC is by performing regular air conditioner maintenance. In fact, regular maintenance can help prevent most HVAC-related issues in most properties. Ideally, your AC unit should be seen and checked by a qualified HVAC technician yearly.

Still, even the most well-maintained AC unit can still get damaged. This may be due to the harsh weather, accidents as well as vandalism. Making sure that you give your AC unit a visual check-up every so often would help.

You should look out for signs including excessive moisture coming out of the drain pipe outside or water stains on your walls. The moment you start noticing any of these, the best thing to do is call an HVAC technician so they can check where things stand.

Common causes of AC leaks:

1.       Frozen over evaporator coils. This is likely due to a dirty air filter as it can block the airflow within the AC. This may also be caused by low levels of refrigerant in the unit. Regardless, any of these issues can lead to the temperature within the air conditioner to drop so much that ice will start to form along the evaporator coil. The moment this ice melts, the drain pan or the condensate drain line will overflow which will lead to the water leaking into your property.
2.       Damaged or overflowing drain pan. Drain pans are generally containers made of metal or plastic, designed to accumulate water before it gets drained. The pan can get damaged or corrode due to wear and tear which can cause the water to start leaking.
3.       Clogged condensate drain line. The condensate drain line can get blocked and clogged by debris, sludge, dirt fungi and algae. When the water is unable to flow through, it will overflow which will usually lead to it leaking right into your living spaces.
4.       Pump malfunctions. The pump is aimed to draw water from the drain pan and out of the house. If it isn’t working properly, the water from the drain pan will overflow which can lead to water leaking onto the floor or your walls.
5.       Questionable installation. Untrained, inexperienced and cheap HVAC “experts” can be such a huge risk. Most of them will never take the time to check that the exterior AC unit is tightly sealed or is leveled perfectly when fitting the unit in. This can lead not only to water leaks but to a whole host of other problems in the long run.

It cannot be emphasized enough how crucial it is that you find a reliable and experienced HVAC professional who can inspect your AC unit at least once a year. You will prevent more than just potential leaks from occurring when doing so. With regular AC maintenance, you can expect your unit to not only last longer but also function at its optimal state all year round.

Booking the best AC repair

A working air conditioning system is crucial when you live somewhere that is hot and dry. An AC replacement expert worth his salt will see to it that your AC is kept in its best shape so you can rely on it to function efficiently no matter the time of the year.

Look for HVAC contractors with years of experience not only in installation but also in maintenance and repair. Find somebody reliable who has had a good share of exposure in resolving a variety of AC-related problems so you know you can rely on them to keep your air conditioner in its optimal working state at all times.

 

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