Summer arrives, and every homeowner has the same fear: What if the AC breaks down? Some problems you can ride out until help arrives, but everybody’s miserable when a home unexpectedly turns into a relentless sweat lodge. One sign of trouble is an AC leaking water. But what exactly does this mean? Is it time for a new system or is there an easier – that is, less expensive – fix available? We’ll go over the most common causes of this problem as well as your best options.
Reasons for an AC Leaking Water
First, it’s important to understand why your AC produces water. The AC unit inside your house uses an evaporator coil to cool the air blown over it. This results in moisture – condensation – collecting on the coil in the same way your glasses fog up when, after being outside where it’s cold, you walk into a warm building. This water should collect in a drain pan with a drain line leading outside.
While the amount of water coming from your AC may not seem significant, as you’ll note below, it could be a sign of serious trouble. Always consult with your local AC experts to determine the exact cause and optimal solution.
Refrigerant Is Low
When the AC refrigerant is low, the resulting lower pressure forces the system to work harder to cool air. If the evaporator coil freezes, the drain pan can overflow when it thaws. Other signs of low refrigerant level include air not being as cool as it should be or a hissing sound coming from a direct refrigerant leak.
Air Filter Is Dirty
Like a low refrigerant level, a dirty air filter can cause the evaporator coil to freeze due to restricted air flow, and once again, this may result in the drain pan overflowing. To avoid this problem, change your air filter regularly as well as having your system checked out annually.
Drain Pan Is Damaged
If your drain pan is damaged or rusted out, this can cause water to leak directly onto the floor. This most commonly happens when your AC system is over 12-15 years old, and you’ll need to have the drain pan replaced. You’ll also want to have your system thoroughly inspected to make sure other components aren’t beginning to break down too.
Drain Line Is Clogged
The drain line running from the drain pan to outside your house may become clogged over time due to accumulated mold, sludge, or dirt. This will result in water backing up into your house. AC professionals will use a special type of vacuum to remove these unwanted materials.
AC System Checkup
Even if you don’t have an AC leaking water, you should consider an annual AC system checkup to prevent problems before they have a chance to occur. Our trained professionals have the experience and equipment to make sure you stay cool no matter how hot it is outside.
Contact Professional Heating & Air for AC repair in Hammond, LA, today!