How To Control Drips From My HVAC System
A Study for People of Haysville, Kansas
It can be a cause for alarm when the air conditioning system of one’s house has some water that is dripping from it. Not every homeowner wishes to have a leaking water pipe which can create a hassle in the future. Dripping might not be completely uncommon given that every HVAC system has some amount of condensation. But excessive dripping is something that no one should have to put up with. Thankfully, there are ways to control it and sometimes even stop it altogether.
Premier Comfort Solutions is with you every step of the way to make sure that your HVAC system is properly taken care of. In this post, we will outline some of the reasons for drip errors, how to fix them if they occur and how to reduce the chances of them happening again. Let’s get straight to the topic and help you in controlling the unnecessary drip of water.
How Come My HVAC System Is Dripping Water?
To begin with, the dripping water isn’t the most complicated of concepts at all which is why let’s take care of the most important part and simplest part first: what causes a HVAC system to drip. Dripping would most probably occur when the HVAC system is not malfunctioning as it is supposed to work. When an HVAC system performs its function to cool or heat the air, condensation will most likely occur. This fluid is deposited on the evaporator coil and its directed by a drainage system. Yet if that system is clogged, ruptured, or exceeds its thresholds, water will leak uncontrollably from its designated areas.
Here are some common reasons that could explain why your HVAC system may be leaking water:
1. Clogs in the Condensate Drain Line
The purpose of the condensate drain line is to carry away the water collected by the evaporator coil. With time, the line can get clogged with dirt, mold, or algae. And when that happens, it causes water to build up and drip.
2. Clogged Air Filter
An air filter that is filthy can cause airflow over the evaporator coil to drop, leading the coil to freeze. When the coil melts, it releases snow melt that over-exceeds the drainage system and results in dripping. It is advisable to always keep the air filter clean to avoid dripping.
3. Aging Drain Pan
A drain pan is located beneath the evaporator coil and collects water that drips from the coil. If the pan is missing or has cracks busted through it, or it got rust or was damaged, water would leak and not drain completely. Over the years, it is a problem that is commonplace in older systems.
4. Insufficient Refrigerant Levels
HVAC refrigerant is fairly self explanatory. If not enough refrigerant is present, it can cause the evaporator coil to become frozen. Likewise, but more with regard to dirty air filters, once the coil thaws, it leads to the creation of surplus water which in turn leads to dripping.
5. Incorrect Installation or Inverse Slope
A deficiency in flow direction can stem from the fact that the condensate drain line of the HVAC unit was not properly installed or because the unit itself is not level. Eventually, the accumulation of water will result in droplets.
How to Prevent HVAC Systems From Leaking Water
Having realized what contributes to dripping from an HVAC unit, we can now discuss the possibilities for remedial action. Some of these remedies are complex and will need a professional to perform them, but for the majority, there are preventative and correctional measures that an individual can do by themselves to control dripping water.
1. Inspect and Clear the Clog on the Condensate Drain Line
Clogs on drain lines or ducts are the most common issue of leaking units so the water condensate drain line needs to be inspected first. If it is clogged, due to its flexibility, a wet/dry vacuum is effective in unclogging it and for stubborn clogs, use a pipe brush. Please turn off your air conditioner before attempting any activity.
For serious clogs or if one does not feel comfortable trying to reach the drain line, it is better to call an expert. Experts at Premier Comfort Solutions will evaluate the drain line issue, unblock the obstruction and confirm whether the draining of the unit is working correctly or not.
2. Change Or Clean The Air Filter
Preventing drips from the HVAC system is relatively easy when the air filter is maintained properly. Failing to do this, however, will lead to a clogged filter. In turn, this will starve airflow, resulting to frozen coils and excessive amount of condensation. It is advisable to routinely inspect your air filters every month and to change them if there’s any dirt.
In case you do not know how and where the air filter is located, refer to the manual of your HVAC system or give us a call at Premier Comfort Solutions. We are ready to provide you all the information necessary to do it yourself or conduct the maintenance for you.
Check Out “IS DUCT CLEANING A WASTE OF MONEY?“
3. Check The Condition Of The Drain Pan
For any reason, your HVAC system’s drips continue, the next thing to do is examine the drain pan. Any missing pieces, chips, or rust will be red flags. If the pan is ruined, it will no longer be capable of catching water properly and will need to be replaced.
Drain pans are commonly found underneath the evaporator coil but accessing them may involve removing some parts of your HVAC system. If you cannot do this or are not comfortable doing this, you can ask a technician to assist you with the inspection and replace it if needed.
4. Test the Refrigerant Level
Negative refrigerant levels can make your evaporator coil freeze and after it thaws, excessive condensation will result. If you consider this to be the case; you must hire an expert to gauge your refrigerant levels and refill the stripper if need be. Handling refrigerant is not easy which is why you should not try to do it on your own.
5. Check for Installation and Slope
Should your HVAC system have been installed wrongly or should the unit be inclined, water shall not flow as it is supposed to flow. In this case, a professional will need to assess the system and make the necessary corrections. At Premier Comfort Solutions, we can guarantee that your system installation is done correctly with all the parts working properly.
Stop your HVAC System from Dripping In Future
In the event that you have solved the current problem with dripping from the HVAC system, measures should be taken in order not to have the same problem in the future. There are some measures that when taken as part of managing the system, it can help in avoiding leaking water.
1. Schedule Regular Maintenance
One way to combat HVAC system drips is by treating the problem right from the core through scheduling regular maintenance. It includes a preventative maintenance where a technician examines the system, washing the evaporator coil, drain line, and other parts and inspecting them for damage and wear.
Regular upkeep also protects against drips as well as enhances the overall lifespan and efficiency of your HVAC system. It is important for you to remember that at Premier Comfort Solutions you always get the right advice about the optimal number of visits which is – Twice every year before both cooling and heating seasons.
2. Replace Air Filters Regularly
Be it second nature and check and change your air filters routinely. Mentioned earlier in the text, frozen evaporator coils’ drips are predominantly inflicted due to dirty air filters. Avoid last minute leaks by changing filters every 30-90 days, depending upon the actual use of the system.
3. Check the Condensate Drain Line
Every couple of months, make sure you spare a few minutes to assess the condensate drain line for any visible signs of blockages or clogging. If the line is cleared up early, the chances of water backing up and flowing out in drips can be avoided. If there are any concerns, get professional assistance immediately before it blows up to further complications.
Premier Comfort Solutions
Water seeping from your HVAC unit is a major concern that indicates that all is not well with your unit. Tackle it fast, regardless of whether the issue is the buildup of grime inside the drain line, the freezing of the evaporator coil, or the failure of the drain pan. If you respect the steps that have been discussed above and book routine check-ups with Premier Comfort Solutions, control of HVAC drips and the costly water damage they can cause will be controlled.
If you happen to have a drip or require advice on how to maintain your HVAC system, kindly contact Premier Comfort Solutions. We are dedicated to assisting residents of Haysville, Kansas and nearby regions in preserving their HVAC systems in optimal, effective, and leak-free working conditions. Contact us today to book an appointment or know more about what we can do for you!
