The Air Conditioner Water Leak
It can be frustrating when you come home and find that your air conditioner is leaking water. One of the first things you should do is contact trained technicians to repair the problem. Freezing Mechanical, one of South Florida’s top AC companies, offers a wide range of repair options in Miami & Fort Lauderdale, including repairing AC water leaks. Rest assured that although it may seem like a stressful issue, the problem can be fixed. However, it’s still important to know what is happening with your AC unit so that you can take the appropriate steps. Let’s go over a few of the possibilities on why your AC unit is leaking water.
- Clogged Drain Line: The most frequent cause of AC leaks is a clogged or blocked condensate drainage line. Over time, dust, dirt, algae and other types of debris can begin to accumulate in the drain line. This can prevent the condensate, water produced during the cooling process, from flowing out smoothly. This causes the water to back up and leak from the indoor unit.
- Dirty or Clogged Air Filters: Dirty filters can begin to cause problems right away if not replaced regularly. As a result, water leaking from the air conditioner can be caused by a clogged air filter. The dirt in an air filter can build up so much that it becomes clogged, restricting the airflow over the evaporator coils. When airflow is reduced, the coils can become too cold and start to freeze over. As the ice melts from the coils, the water may overwhelm the drip pan resulting in leakage.
- Incorrect Installation: If the unit is installed incorrectly, it can cause major problems. Poor installation or improper sizing of the AC unit can lead to leaking water inside a home. Moreover, a unit should also be leveled properly so that the water drains in an efficient manner. Of course, the drainage system needs to be installed correctly. Otherwise, a connection may come loose as a result of vibration, which will cause leaks. Remember that hiring experienced technicians who work for established AC companies like Freezing Mechanical is always important for a successful AC installation in Miami.
- Cracked or Damaged Drain Pan: Another thing to consider is the drain pan. All indoor AC units will have a drain pan that is designed to catch the condensate, directing it to the drain line. However, if the pan is cracked or damaged, it can result in water leaks. The solution is to replace the drainage pan, which can be done by an AC technician.
- Refrigerants: Low refrigerant levels can cause the evaporator coils to become too cold, leading to condensation and ice buildup. When the ice melts, it can result in water leakage. If you suspect low refrigerant levels on a regular basis, you may have a leak somewhere in the line. Make sure to contact Freezing Mechanical AC company in Miami for a thorough AC inspection.
- High Humidity: Those who live in Miami, FL, know how high the humidity can get in the summer. In extremely humid conditions, the AC may produce more condensate than usual. If the drainage system is not functioning as it should or at an optimal level, it may not be able to handle the excess moisture, causing leaks in the process.
- Leaky Ductwork: Ducts can age over time resulting in wear and tear. Therefore, leaks can begin to occur within the ductwork. Air leaks can start to form in gaps that allow warm air to enter into the duct system. This warm air can then go into the air handler and cause the coils to become too cold, leading to condensation or water leakage.
- Improper Refrigerant Charge: Having balanced refrigerant levels in an AC unit is important. It optimizes the performance of the system. However, a poor refrigerant charge can also change the temperature and pressure inside the evaporator coils. This can lead to excess moisture in your home resulting in water leaking from the air conditioning unit.
- Aging Components: Damaged and aging components in air conditioning systems can quickly lead to problems. One of those issues can include a worn insulation cabinet inside the unit. The water that is collected within the coil system can begin to leak through cracks or holes if the insulation around the cabinet is damaged. In all likelihood, the insulation will need to be replaced by your AC technician.
Broken Condensate Pump: The pump is what promotes the proper drainage process as the condensate water forms during the AC’s normal operation. Any type of disruption, such as a broken condensate pump, can cause a water leak in the unit. If the pump cannot move the water out of the drain pan when it is full, the water will begin to overflow.
- The condensate pump is usually installed for those AC units that are below ground level, such as mechanical rooms located in commercial structures. If not addressed, the water overflow can leak onto the components of the air conditioning unit. This can damage the air handler, evaporator coils and the ductwork.
Repair the Leak in Time
The first thing any homeowner should note is that any leaking water inside the home can cause problems right away, which is why timely AC repairs are important. If you come home after a hard day’s work to find your air conditioning unit leaking water, hours could’ve passed by as the water continued to drip. If you ignore the problem, water that seeps into your home will cause damage. Water could begin to rot the wood and even form mold if left untreated for years. The overall costs to repair these damages will be much more than taking care of the problem quickly.
In the end, make sure to call Freezing Mechanical at 305-363-7021 for all your air conditioning services, including water leak repairs.
