Any time the AC leaks, you need to take quick action. You don’t want water to seep into insulation or structural materials because it’ll be time-consuming and expensive to fix. If you’re dealing with a refrigerant leak, it can even be dangerous if you don’t respond quickly. Let’s look at different types of AC leaks and how to go about solving them.
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
A lot of AC leaks are the result of a clogged condensate drain line. This is the part of the AC that’s responsible for draining excess moisture from the evaporator coil. It sends it outside or to a floor drain so that it doesn’t back up into your house. When the line clogs with dirt or algae, it’ll cause water overflow that can create major ceiling or wall damage. You can use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out any clogs to fix the leak. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to call an HVAC technician. We recommend rinsing the line with a mixture of water and vinegar every few months to keep it clean.
Cracked or Damaged Drain Pan
Your AC has a drain pan that sits underneath the evaporator coil. Its job is to catch water as it drips from the coil during regular operation. Although the dripping is completely normal, if the pan were to crack or overflow, this is not something you can ignore. If you don’t take quick action, the water will leak into the area around your unit. Cracked or damaged drain pans are particularly common in older systems. You might need to replace the pan entirely to prevent further water damage and mold growth. This is especially true for pans with corrosion in them because you don’t want rusted metal contaminating the drainage system.
Disconnected Drain Line
Over time, vibration from normal AC operation can cause the drain line to become loose or disconnected. When this happens, water will leak out everywhere. You can reattach the line to stop the leak, but if this doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to seal the connection point with plumber’s tape or waterproof sealant.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
You don’t want the evaporator coil freezing and thawing repeatedly. It can overwhelm the drainage system by producing excess water and causing overflow or leaks. Low refrigerant, restricted airflow and dirty coils are leading causes of frozen coils. You’ll need to turn the AC off and let the ice thaw before you use the unit again. We suggest letting a licensed HVAC technician look at the refrigerant to make sure it doesn’t have a leak. With regular tune-ups, it becomes much easier to avoid these problems.
Refrigerant Line Leaks
A leaky refrigerant line can put you and your home in danger. Anything the refrigerant touches may become toxic. Because of this, only a trained technician can handle refrigerant leaks. They’ll have to run a pressure test and use leak detection methods to isolate the leak and then use special equipment to recharge the refrigerant. Fixing this type of leak is vital to preserving system performance and energy efficiency.
Coil Corrosion (Formicary Corrosion)
This kind of corrosion happens when small acids in the air slowly damage the copper coils as time goes by. It makes small holes that let the refrigerant leak slowly. It’s really tough to find these leaks without special tools. A technician may need to replace the whole coil if the damage is really bad.
Leaking Condensate Pump
The condensate pump is what moves water to the outside drainage area from the drain pan. If it doesn’t work correctly, water will build up and eventually leak out. Clogged lines and stuck float switches are top causes of pump problems. You might be able to clean out the pump reservoir to keep it running smoothly. A technician can replace a faulty float switch if it were to get stuck or fail to activate the pump. When the pump motor goes out, it’s best to replace the entire unit to avoid repeated issues.
Improperly Sealed Air Handler
Your air handler needs proper sealing so that moisture and humid air don’t make their way into the unit. If they do, they will condense inside, which increases the risk of corrosion and rusting. This problem is especially prevalent in places like Evansville, IN, where summer humidity levels tend to stay high. A technician will know how to properly seal the unit so that outside air stays out and internal components stay dry. They may even add insulation to stabilize internal temperatures so that the metal housing doesn’t sweat or collect moisture.
Get Expert Service
G. R. Freeman Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. specializes in a number of AC services to keep your home cool and energy-efficient all summer. We can address leaks with expert diagnostics, fast repairs and preventative maintenance.
Call G. R. Freeman Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. now to schedule expert service for AC leaks in Evansville.
