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When your air conditioner is leaking water, it’s a big problem. It can damage ceilings and floors in your home and create mold growth in the walls or ceiling. Mold can cause health issues for you and your family members.
Leaking air conditioner is one of the most common problems that people have with their cooling systems.
Leaking air conditioner systems are the most common reason for needing to replace an HVAC system. It is also one of the easiest problems to prevent, but many people don’t know how to check their AC unit for leaks or what they should do if they find a leak.
The best way to avoid this problem in your home is to have your technician perform regular maintenance on your cooling system at least once every year (more often if you live in an area with hard water). If you are lucky to have a home warranty service, you can just call your company and ask to send a technician.
Here is the list of Home Warranty Companies that cover air conditioner repair in one of their plans:
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If you do notice that there is water pooling around the base of your unit, here are some reasons for it and tips for fixing it yourself without calling in professionals every time.
Reasons for Air Conditioner Leaking Water
Here are some common causes of leaking ac and easy fixes:
Leaking coils:
The coils can sometimes crack or break; this is usually the result of a general lack of maintenance. They can also be damaged by rodents chewing on the metal, or someone stepping on them, or because of harsh weather conditions.
Fixing this problem is pretty easy if you can access the coils. You need to shut off the power to the unit and then go outside. Drain all of the water from around the bottom of your air conditioner. Then, clean around the bottom of each coil with a dry cloth. If you notice one is damaged or broken, order a new one from your parts supplier. You can usually find them at your local hardware store or home improvement center. Choose a coil that is the same size as the one you are replacing.
Leaking drainpipe
Sometimes the condensate drain line can be blocked or damaged. This will prevent the water from draining properly, leading to ac water leak.
To find the drain, look at the bottom right side of the outdoor unit. The pipe will likely be there. If it is blocked or damaged, replace it with a new one. If the pipe is damaged, you should also replace the coupling and gasket.
Fix the main drain line inside the home
Check the main drain line on the inside of your home to make sure it’s not clogged. If it is, clear it with a plumbing snake, and make sure that there aren’t any leaks.
Cracked condenser coil:
The condenser coil is buried underground or in the attic. Sometimes they will crack or leak due to a loose connection, improper installation, deterioration from sunlight and moisture, or physical damage. If you notice a cracked or leaky condenser coil, replace it yourself if you can. It’s not that hard to do, and it will save you a lot of money.
The expansion valve:
The expansion valve is a component that controls the flow of refrigerant. It will often crack or break after 5-10 years, and this can cause AC unit to leak water.
If you notice a leaky expansion valve, replace it with a new one. If your unit is running too hot, it could be a sign that the expansion valve is failing.
Low Refrigerants:
Another reason why your air conditioning unit might be leaking is that the refrigerant levels are too low. This is usually a result of an improper installation by the original technician, or just from normal wear and tear. Add the correct refrigerant levels to your system and you should be good to go.
Damaged piping:
Sometimes the pipes that connect to your AC unit can be bent or broken. This is something you might notice while you are cleaning the leaves and debris out of your system. If you notice a problem, replace the pipe.
Cracked heat exchanger:
The heat exchanger helps the refrigerant cool your home and avoid problems with frost. Sometimes they will crack or leak. If you notice a crack or leak, you will need to replace the heat exchanger.
Damaged Evaporator Coil:
The evaporator coil is underneath the indoor unit. It helps cool your home by moving warm air from inside your home to outside. If it is frozen or broken, or if it has cracks, it can cause moisture to get into your system. This can lead to air conditioning leaks and damage to other components of your AC unit.
Fixing a leaking evaporator coil is pretty easy. Just turn off the power, drain the system, and then replace it with a new one.
Conclusion!
If you notice a leak in your AC unit and AC dripping water continuously, don’t ignore it. It is fairly common for air conditioning systems to start leaking when they are over 10 years old. It is usually pretty easy to fix these problems yourself, even if you have never done it before.
You can find the parts you need at any local hardware store or home improvement center.
If you are not comfortable doing the repairs yourself, consult a licensed HVAC technician. They will likely charge you a fee for their service, but it’s worth it if you can save hundreds of dollars in the process.
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