What Causes a Leaking Air Conditioner? It is necessary for homeowners to understand why their air conditioning systems may leak water either within or outside the home. Read on and discover some of the common reasons given by a Sacramento heating and air conditioning company to explain why ACs may leak water.
Clogged Air Filters
Professionals at Fox Family Heating and Air explain that a clogged or dirty air filter is one of the most prevalent causes of water leaks in air conditioning systems. The clog/dirt affects the flow of air through the AC system. Consequently, the evaporator coil will freeze up and start leaking water as the ice melts slowly. Replace the air filter regularly in order to avoid these water leaks from causing serious damage to your AC.
Insufficient Refrigerant
Low refrigerant levels can also trigger water leaks in the air conditioner. Air conditioning repair (Sacramento) is needed when you notice that the home is no longer as cool as you would want it. Leaking refrigerant reduces airflow within the system. The net result is that the evaporator coil will freeze as discussed earlier. Don’t attempt to fix a refrigerant leak on your own because you may cause worse problems, such as failing to identify all leaks prior to recharging the system.
Damaged Drain Pans
Condensate is usually directed to the drain pan before being discharged outside the home. However, the drain pan may start leaking and allow water to drip onto the floor or ceiling. The best remedy to this problem is to install a new drain pan. Temporary fixes, such as using epoxy compound, may allow the corrosion/damage to worsen and result in worse leaks.
Clogged Drain Line
The drain pan has a drain line through which water flows out of the house. Over time, dirt and debris may accumulate and cause a blockage in that drain line. The condensate will then back up and leak into the home. You can use a shop vacuum to suck the clog out of that line. Alternatively, hire a professional from Fox Family Heating, Air Conditioning so that the lines can be cleared and flushed.
Malfunctioning Condensate Pump
Sacramento homes whose AC units are installed in the basement require a condensate pump to force the condensate up the gradient to the exterior of the home. A defect in this pump can trigger water leaks from the AC since the water will be unable to leave the condensate pan. Fix or replace that pump in order to put an end to this type of leak.
Improper Installation
Some air conditioners develop water leaks simply because the person who installed the unit didn’t position the condensate trap correctly. This is particularly possible for installations that don’t require a condensate pump. The incorrect position will prevent gravity from pushing the water down the drain tubes. Ask a professional from a Sacramento heating and air conditioning company to come and check the condensate system so that the poor installation can be corrected.
Low Ambient Temperatures
It is also possible for your air conditioner to leak water when it doesn’t have any defects. This can happen towards the end of the cooling season as the temperature outside drops. The coils will freeze and leak water when you still want the AC to cool the home while it is very cool outside. Turn your AC off in such a case or adjust the thermostat settings so that you prevent the coils from sustaining irreparable damage.
A leaking air conditioner can cause serious damage not just to the AC but to your home as well. Contact Fox Family Heating and Air in Sacramento for a thorough inspection so that a final solution to the leak can be found.
Fox Family Heating & Air serves Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, and all of Northern California. If you’re looking to schedule HVAC service in these areas, give us a call!
