Don’t let your air conditioner unit cause water damage to your Nashville home

4/17/2015 (Permalink)

Source - http://www.compactappliance.com/Buyers-Guide%3A-Air%3A-Window-Air-Conditoner/BUYERS_GUIDE_AIR_WINDOW.html

The snow has melted and we’re finally feeling the warmth start to creep up on us, indicating that summer is right around the corner. Instead of worrying about the snow or ice making its way into our homes, we are now moving onto other issues, such as our air conditioner units. As most of you have probably witnessed, some AC units will show signs of moisture from condensation forming on the unit. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing unless it becomes more than just condensation. 

Causes

When the AC unit starts to show signs of leaking and appears to be more than just the average condensation, it’s important to know what to look for to stop the leak or water damage from getting worse. Some of the most common issues that cause these units to leak are improper installation, blocked drain hole, air leakage or broken pump.

There are different parts to the AC unit that may fail or get blocked causing the AC unit to leak and cause water damage. The condenser pump that pumps the water out of the condenser pan may be broken or has lost power causing it to stop pumping the water out of the unit. You can test this by checking the power to the pump and pouring water into the pan to see if it is pumping it out properly. Another issue may be a blockage in the drain hole. If the drain that sends the water out of the unit is blocked by debris or dirt, this can also cause a backup of water leading to an overflow effect and leaking. These mechanical breakdowns can sometimes be spotted due to a malfunction of the unit, but there is also the issue of air leaking or improper installation.

When it comes to the installation of the AC unit, it is important to make sure that it is level. An AC unit that isn’t level can cause the excess water to flow toward the leaning end and leak out of the unit. Making sure that the seals on the unit are tight is also an important detail to watch out for. If excess warm air is able to enter the unit, this causes moisture from the air to condense, therefore causing excess moisture to pool below the unit.

Having water pool up in the unit can cause leaking and eventually lead to water damage, so it is important to keep an eye on your air conditioner this summer and make sure that it is running properly. Having this pool of water also indicates that the unit is not running as efficiently as it should, meaning there is a possibility you are spending more money to keep your Nashville home cool. If it is hard to find the cause of the leak, make sure to consult a professional for help. 

Source - http://www.redbeacon.com/hg/why-my-air-conditioner-leaking-water/