If you notice your HVAC leaking, don’t panic. If your HVAC unit is leaking water, it may not be as serious as you think. Often, there are steps you can take to correct the problem without needing to call in a professional.
A simple process of elimination can help you figure out if your HVAC unit needs professional help or just a helping hand. Read on for some common causes for an HVAC unit leaking water, and what you can do about it.
Drain Line Is Clogged
The most likely explanation for your HVAC unit leaking water is a clogged drain line. Pulling water from the drain pan, the condensate drain line can get clogged by things like mold, dust, or dirt. This prevents water from draining as it should.
An easy way of getting rid of the clogs is to use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the clogs. You can also pour vinegar down the line every couple of months to help kill any molds or algae that may grow. It’s also important to make sure the outside end of the drain is unobstructed.
Dirty Air Filter
Your air filter needs to be changed every 30 days. A dirty filter causes your HVAC system to work harder than it needs to, which can lead to bigger problems down the line. Not only that, but a dirty filter can block the airflow over the evaporator coil, which can cause it to freeze.
Once your evaporator coils freeze, your refrigerant can’t take the heat out of your home. If you notice your coil is frozen, shut off your HVAC unit until you’ve fixed the problem. Your problem might be low refrigerant, which would require a service call from your local HVAC technician.
Frozen evaporator coils are easily preventable by keeping on an air filter replacement schedule every 30 days. The filters themselves are not very expensive and come in packs of three. Always keep at least one extra filter on hand at all times!
Damaged or Overflowing Drain Pan
A drain pan issue can be tricky, as there are two drain pans. One is located under the evaporator coils and is welded into place. The second is lower, underneath the unit.
If there’s a leak in the welded-in-place pan, you’ll need to call it in, but if it is in the lower pan, that’s easily replaceable. If there is a crack, it can be temporarily fixed via water sealant until you can get a replacement pan. The pans might be clogged as well, so cleaning them out with a wet/dry vacuum might be a good idea.
Is Your HVAC Leaking?
When you notice your HVAC leaking, it is important to take steps immediately to stop it. Whether that entails unclogging the drain line, replacing the drain pan, or simply changing your air filter. Fixing the leaks quickly heads off worse problems in the future!
Did you enjoy this article? Then don’t forget to contact Bentley’s Air Conditioning for an appointment today, and then check out our blog!