Spring is here. That means the summer heat is only a few months away.
So if you have an air conditioner leaking water, the problem is only going to get worse as the temperature begins to rise and your system has to work harder. Especially on days when excessive heat warnings go into effect across Pennsylvania.
Left untreated, water from a leak can cause mold and damage to your home. Your air conditioner keeps the humidity lower in your home, which under normal circumstances can help prevent mold from growing. However, water from a leak can pool up in places that don’t dry out quickly enough.
When your AC is leaking, it’s best to figure out what the problem is and get it fixed. Here are some of the common reasons your AC may be leaking.
Cracked or Damaged Overflow Pan
Over time, your overflow pan (aka drip pan) can become rusted. The rust can cause your overflow pan to crack or develop holes that allow water to escape. Since this area of your HVAC system comes into contact with water, your AC technician will need to shut down your system while your new pan is installed.
Dirty Air Filter
HVAC air filters should be replaced every month or every other month. If they are not, the filter can become dirty and make your system work harder than it needs to. This can cause moisture to freeze on your evaporator coils, then leak into your home when the ice defrosts.
Problems with Condensate Drain
The drain line that removes excess water from your AC unit can become clogged. When this happens, the water has nowhere to go so it begins to back up until it spills out of the unit into your home. The clog can be caused by algae or mold buildup and dirt. The drain line may also have been bumped and is now misaligned.
If the problem is a clog, you can try using a wet/dry vacuum to clean the drain line. If that doesn’t work, you will need to call an AC technician to fix it, which you will also need to do if the problem is a misaligned drain pipe.
Broken Condenser Pump
Is your air conditioner located in your basement or other location that required a pump be installed in order to help force excess water out to the disposal drain?
If so, your water leak may be due to your condensation pump not working properly. Your AC technician may be able to repair your existing pump. If not, you will need to have a new pump installed.
Stop Your Air Conditioner Leaking Water
Your air conditioner leaking water can cause further damage to your AC unit. It can also damage the parts of your home that get exposed to water.
So don’t wait, contact us today so we can get a technician out to fix your leak.