Why Is Your Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water?

It can be uncomfortable if you turn your air conditioner on during a hot summer afternoon and find it leaking. Some reasons which cause the leaks can be fixed by yourself while some require AC repair in Stony Brook, NY services.

However, the worst possible way to treat a leak from the air conditioner is not to treat it at all. Address the issue immediately as it can grow into a serious problem and destroy your ceiling, walls, furniture, etc. The following are three troubleshooting tips for leaky AC units:

The Evaporator Coil Is Frozen

Only a few factors can lead up to leaks in any air conditioner device. The first one is dirty air filters. If the filters are dirty, the air is not allowed to pass through them. This restriction causes the evaporator coil to freeze.

The refrigerant fluid that soaks up heat and exchanges cool air flows through the evaporator coil. If there is no airflow, then there is no heat for the fluid to absorb, and it, in turn, freezes, forming ice. This ice melts later on causing leaks. Blocked registers, damages in the blower motor, and lack of refrigerant fluid can also cause the evaporator coil to freeze.

You can avoid the problem by replacing your air filter every 2-3 months. Do not cover your air vents or registers as they may cause this problem too.

Cracked Drain Pipe

The evaporator coil uses your drainpipe, which is under the indoor air handler. This pipe catches and discards any condensation from the air conditioning unit. Turn your unit off and check if the drain pan and pipe are damaged. The pan is connected to the drainpipe, which discards the condensate outside.

With a wet-dry vacuum cleaner, clean the overflow pan first before checking the corners, buttons, and edges with a flashlight. If you find damage, you can fix it temporarily with a water sealant. However, call for AC maintenance Stony Brook, NY service to repair the damage permanently.

Clogs In The Condensate Drain Line

If you have a wet-dry vacuum, you can fix this issue yourself. The clogs can be due to the algae and fungi formation at the drain line. You need to clean the drain line regularly to avoid the issue.

First, locate the PVC pipe at your air conditioner's drain pan. It will have a pipe that is placed at 90 degrees facing up with a cap on top of it.

Then, unscrew the cap and pour some vinegar down the pipe. This will kill the algae and fungi while keeping your pipe free of clogs. If the pipe is still clogged, you can call for a professional or use the wet-dry vacuum yourself to clean the line.

Sometimes the drain line might not be connected properly, which is causing the problem. Contact us for professional assistance to fix your AC unit leaks. For expert AC replacement in Stony Brook, NY, you can mail us at [email protected] to book an appointment.