Leaking Air Conditioner? Here's What You Can Do Now to Prevent Future Water Damage

Summer is officially upon us here in New Hampshire (NH), which means gearing-up for weekend picnics, roasting s’mores by the campfire and dusting off the grill for some weekend barbecues. Aside from all the weekend gatherings and beach visits, the summer months in NH also brings warmer weather and, you guessed it, the need for an air conditioner. With temperatures climbing into the 90’s on some days, performing routine tasks can be difficult and seemingly impossible without the relief of an air conditioner. Once you dig out the portable air conditioner from storage, dust off the spiders and place it in the desired location, you notice the unit is leaking and causing unsightly water damage. What do you do next?
 

Causes of a Leaking Air Conditioner

 
The last thing you want to see on a hot and humid day is water leaking from your air conditioning unit. What causes a leaking air conditioner and what can be done to prevent future damage? Before you toss the air conditioner out the window, there are a few common issues to keep in mind that can result in a leaking unit such as:

• Clogged drain line – The condensation drain line can become clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, which can cause the water in the line to back-up and flow out of the unit.
• Broken or damaged drain pan – The drain pan catches water from the unit, and if it is broken or damaged, the water can leak through.
• Clogged air filter – When the air filter becomes dirty or clogged, it can cause the evaporator coil to freeze. When the evaporator coil thaws, water can leak from the unit.
• Refrigerant is low – Low refrigerant overworks the unit and can cause the evaporator coil to freeze and then thaw, resulting in water leaking from the unit.

Preventing Future Water Damage

Once you have identified the cause of why the air conditioner is leaking, how do you prevent future damage from occurring? Similar to other household appliances, keeping up with routine maintenance procedures is a great way to help reduce future issues with your air conditioner, and routine procedures can assist in the longevity of the unit. A few common routine maintenance tips are:

• Clear debris from the unit that can result in clogs.
• Clean and replace filters as outlined in the owner’s manual.
• Ensure the exhaust hose is not broken, damaged, bent or being crushed by a window.
• Monitor the condenser coils to ensure it doesn’t collect dust, dirt and other debris.

Soil-Away-The Water Damage Cleanup Company for You!

Discovering a water disaster from your portable air conditioning unit can happen at any time for NH home and business owners, and while we understand that no one ever wants to experience this frustrating situation, we want you to know that the experts at Soil-Away are here to make things less stressful. Soil-Away is a family-owned and operated business that is IICRC master-certified and has over 25 years of experience. We work closely with insurance companies during the remediation process to ensure a smooth, less-stressful process, so you can get back to the things that matter most. Contact the mold water damage experts today at 603-641-6555.
 
Written by: K. Gnatowski