With the peak of the summer season upon us and fall still around the corner, your air conditioner is getting a workout. From time to time you might even notice it sweating or leaking water. This might seem alarming. And while some small amount of leakage is normal, a larger, prolonged leak can indicate a larger issue. Here is how you can determine when you need to get air conditioning repair.
Four Main Reasons for Air Conditioning Leaks
Here are the leading reasons why your air conditioner is leaking water:
1. A Hole or Crack in the Overflow Pan
The overflow pan is meant to catch any condensation from your air conditioning unit. That alone will tell you that some amount of moisture is normal. However, if the pan has any small holes or cracks, water will leak outside the unit.
2. A Clogged Air Filter
When the air filters are blocked the evaporator coil is more likely to ice up. And when the ice melts it causes the excess water to spill over from the drain pan causing a leak. That is why you want to check your air filter every month and replace it immediately if you notice that is it dirty or clogged. If your air conditioner kicks on to cool down your home, and it is only 60 degrees outside, the coils might freeze up. They can also freeze if you have low refrigerant levels. Check these issues before calling a technician.
3. A Plugged Condensate Line
This is the most common cause of air conditioning leaks. The condensate line drains condensation to the outside—usually directly into a drainpipe. If water backs up because the line is clogged it will overflow the pan and cause leaks. Many modern air conditioning units are now equipped with an automatic shutdown if the system detects a clogged condensate line. This is good for preventing water damage, but unfortunately, most homeowners don’t know why their A/C suddenly turned off.
4. Improper Installation
If your air conditioning unit has recently been installed or repaired, you might discover that the leak comes from an installation issue. An incorrectly installed pan or improper sizing can lead to even more water leaking from your A/C.
How Much Water is Too Much?
Under normal conditions, your cooling system might leak during operation. But it should only produce a small puddle and that should dry up in the summer heat. However, if the water leak persists for a day or longer, then you will need to call for air conditioning repair.
Nearly 90% of all air conditioning repair calls in San Jose, CA are related to leaks. And while some of them are small and harmless, if left unchecked you could have a tremendous amount of damage on your hands. This is especially true if your air handler is installed where water can drip downward and cause damage to a ceiling or wall.
Fortunately, most leaks are easily repaired. Just call us at Pelle Heating & Air Conditioning. We will send a technician out and have the problem fixed right away. You can stop by 1045 N 10th St., San Jose, CA 95112 or call (669) 219-8957 to set up an appointment.
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