A leaking central air conditioner should not be left unattended, as it can cause hundreds of dollars in water damage repairs. While many homeowners will call a technician as soon as they notice a leak, air conditioner leaks are often caused by simple problems that can be fixed with DIY repairs. Here are some tips to help you repair the common causes of air conditioner leaks.
Check for Cracks in the Overflow Pan
Your central air conditioner's evaporator coils are positioned above the furnace inside your home. When your air conditioner is set to cool, these coils chill the air that is blown into your ductwork. During this process, condensation builds up on the coils and drips down into an overflow pan directly beneath the coils and into the condensate drain line that is connected to the pan.
If the overflow pan is cracked, the water from the evaporator coils will leak out around your furnace instead of flowing into the drain line. A simple visual inspection using a flashlight will allow you to detect cracks in the overflow pan. Cracks usually occur around the edges of the pan or near the outlet into the drain line. If the cracks in the pan are very small, you can repair them by turning off your air conditioner and patching them with epoxy glue, but this is a temporary fix and you will eventually need to replace the pan.
Unclog the Condensate Drain Line
If the drain pan is not damaged but water is overflowing around the edges of the pan, it is likely that the condensate drain line is clogged. This can happen when dust and dirt builds up on the evaporator coils and drips off with condensation. This dirt eventually clumps together into a slush that prevents water from draining into the line.
To unclog a condensate drain line, you will need to find the outdoor drain pipe that the line leads to. It is normally located on the outside of your home near where the furnace is installed indoors. Use a wet/dry vacuum to suck the clog out of the drain pipe, and then monitor your drain pan. Once the water starts draining out of the pan and into the drain line again, you will be able to continue running your air conditioner without leaks. Just be sure to clean the coils to prevent any further condensation.
With these tips, you can repair simple central air conditioner leaks to avoid costly repairs while keeping your home cool and comfortable. If you find your air conditioning needs extensive repairs, however, contact a professional company like Jerry Boschert Heating & Cooling.
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