Summer is in full swing and the last thing you want is a problem with your air conditioner. Suddenly, you notice water around your a/c unit. “Is a leaking air conditioner a problem?” you may ask yourself. Here, we’ll address a few of the potential causes for a leaking air conditioner and what you can do to prevent it.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking?
There could be a few reasons your unit could be leaking water.
If it was newly installed, it could be a problem with the installation. Things like damage during installation and improperly installed or let out drain lines could be contributing factors. Call your local service provider if you notice leaks in a newly installed unit.
Issues with your condensate system could be a culprit as well. If a condensate drain is clogged, for example, due to debris, it will back up and cause the unit to leak, instead of discharging it properly. A more significant issue is a damaged condensate pump. This is the pump that’s actually responsible for pumping out that extra water. If it’s malfunctioning due to age or damage, it either will pump too much water than the drain can handle, or not pump any water at all. Either way, the water has to go somewhere, resulting in a leak.
Clogged air filters are another common issue. If the air filter is constricting air flow to your unit, that could lead to several issues, among them being frozen evaporator coils. Frozen coils would be a direct cause of a leak. A clogged filter wouldn’t be the only reason the evaporator coils freeze, though. Low refrigerant levels could lead to freezing and an overflow in the drip pan.
Regardless of why the unit is leaking, it’s important to address the problem before it becomes an even bigger issue.
How Do I Keep My A/C From Leaking?
There are several ways to make sure you get ahead of potential leaks. The first? You guessed it... change your filters! Too much dust and dirt accumulation, as we mentioned before, constricts air flow to the unit, opening the door for many potential issues. You’ll also want to clean your air vents to make doubly sure air is flowing as it should. It’s also a good idea to check your drain pan to make sure there isn’t any sediment or debris build up that may cause an overflow or a leak. These are easy ways to maintain your system yourself, but the pros can help too!
Final Thoughts
While an A/C leak may seem innocuous, it can be a sign of problems. If left unchecked, those problems can become major issues. That’s why it’s important to not only take steps to maintain the system yourself, but also have a professional do a regular inspection on it. If there is a leak present, make sure to call in some help as well. Dean Mechanical is happy to help you either diagnose a leak or do a preventative inspection! Call us today!