How to Repair Your Water Leaking Air Conditioner
When the temperature is high, there is nothing better than having a wonderfully cool room. An open window can sometimes provide a welcome breeze and a breath of fresh air. Sometimes this is only achieved by buying an air conditioner.
It functions by removing the moisture in the air. This is contained inside drainage trays. Once a person buys a unit, however, they can’t afford to just switch it on and leave it. Maintenance should be regularly performed, or there will be ongoing issues.
This article provides advice about how to fix an air conditioner if it starts leaking water.
Complex Issues
Before discussing the DIY route, it’s important to recommend the possible involvement of professionals. If there is a water leak, it’s also important to discover whether there might be a gas leak as well.
The experts at www.coolbestaircon.com say that professional help can cover not just installation, but after service and repair. It’s reassuring to know that companies can also tackle things like gas and water leaks. They can additionally check things like fan coils and AC compressors.
Some people feel confident to obtain fluorescent dye when checking for water leaks. If there is an issue, the color will change. UV lighting is needed for this, so in most cases, people will need professional assistance.
Installations and Drainage Pans
If a system is new, it’s important to check that the company installed the unit correctly, the front should be higher than the back. If this is not the case, water can easily flow from the unit. There’s no point in trying to fix anything else until this has been done. All AC units have drainage pans.
First, remove the window unit and outer casing. If the pan is full to overflowing, the issue has probably been identified. If the pan has experienced damage like cracking, it may be able to repair without outside assistance, check Air Pros USA.
Leak Location And Wall Units
Besides using a fluorescent dye, one can use soapy liquid to locate water leaks. The chemical is likely to bubble when making contact with the offending area. It is also possible to purchase AC leak detector kits.
They will assess the amount of refrigerant in the unit. AC wall units sometimes drip because of problems with dust and dirt. Alternatively, the drainage pipes can be blocked.
Filters and Cooling Systems
Filters should be checked bi-monthly and monthly when it’s really hot weather. There will be issues if they are not regularly cleaned. Dirty filters usually have to be replaced as ice is created within the AC unit.
This will inevitably melt and create water leakage. Cooling system issues are also responsible for creating ice from the air.
Another cause is when it’s too cold outside (e.g., below 60F at night) compared to indoors. In this situation, the cooling coil is simply going to ice up. It’s easy to remedy this, however, by turning the unit off at night.
Condenser Problems
If the condenser is clogged up, the drainage pan will fill. Some air conditioning units are designed to switch off when this occurs, to protect themselves from water damage. This type of condenser issue may require outside help from a professional.
It’s another simple task to check for excess water when addressing condenser leaks. A rolled-up piece of kitchen roll can be applied to the area to see how much water it absorbs.
Drain Pipes and Checking
Drain pipes can be cleaned using a garden hose. It’s important to run the water gently through them. After ten minutes, introduce some bleach and leave that for the same amount of time. After that, flush more gentle water through the pipes.
Other elements, including the drainage tray, can also be hosed. The air conditioning unit should then be left outside until it is fully dry.
Whenever a fix has been made, or a replacement part installed, it’s important to run the unit for half an hour at a time. That should be long enough to check that no more leaks are occurring. If there is still an issue, either the repair has been unsuccessful, or there are other problems too.
Maintenance and Miscellaneous Issues
As we have already said, regular maintenance is as important as the original purchase, in order to avoid unnecessary problems. Prevention is better than cure. Leakages can cause the growth of mildew and mold, affecting the interior of a room.
It’s not an issue that can be ignored. The most common issue with AC units is blocked drainage pipes, but there can be many causes. They range from damaged, dirty, or frozen coils to drain pans clogged or rusted through.
The condensate drain line could be blocked up or even disconnected. The condensate pump could be operating incorrectly too, even regularly maintained AC units will leak water at the back, however.
In summary, one should check drainage pans, filters, cooling systems, condensers, and drainage pipes. For all unfixable scenarios or advanced issues, it is strongly advisable to seek specialist help. An air conditioning unit is a great asset. If stewarded well, it will provide many hours of pleasant, cool air.
