Air conditioner leaks are one of the most common types of air conditioner problems you will come across as a homeowner. Luckily, you can easily fix them on your own with little DIY advice.
When you notice signs of a leak, you should fix it fast, so the problem doesn’t worsen and you have to hire an expensive air conditioner repair services provider or you are forced to replace the air conditioner.
Are you wondering how do you fix a leaking air conditioner? How you do it depends on the reason for the leak. Here are some of the common reasons for an air conditioner leak and how to fix it:
Clogged air filters
If it has been long since you cleaned your air filters, airflow in your appliance will be significantly restricted, which will lead to the freezing of the evaporator coils. When the coils freeze, they start to drip water. Frozen evaporator coils mean the refrigerant can’t take in the heat from your home.
This results to warm air or no air in your home, not to mention plenty of other compressor problems. When you notice a frozen evaporator coil, you should turn off your air conditioner and fix the problem. Don’t turn on the appliance again until you have fixed the problem.
You can keep your evaporator coils in top condition by replacing the air filters every 30-90 days. During summer, replace your air filter more frequently as at this time, the air conditioner runs for extended periods.
If you have replaced the air filter, cleaned the vents, and still the problem is present, chances are you have a low refrigerant charge. This is a complex problem that you should leave to an AC professional to fix.
Cracked or overflowing drain pan
The drain pan is located underneath your indoor air handler, where it catches any condensation from the air conditioning unit. To tell whether the pan is overflowing or cracked, you need to inspect it. Turn off the air conditioner and carefully inspect the pan and pipe for leaks.
The pipe is usually connected to the drip pan, and it discharges the condensate outside. Using a wet-dry vac, clean the overflow pan and inspect the corners, bottom, and edges with a flashlight.
As you are doing this, remember there are two drain pans. One underneath the evaporator coils (usually permanently fixed) and one underneath your appliance (usually removable). If you decide to fix the leak, you should leave the permanent pan in place.
Since the pan is welded in place, you have to hire a professional to fix it. If the damaged pan is the removable one, you can go ahead and replace it on your own.
Clogged drain line
Clogged drain lines are one of the most common reasons for AC leaks. Your drain lines can clog up with algae, fungi, and other materials. When this happens, water begins to overflow, flooding the drain pan. Most modern air conditioners have a water-overflow cut off switch that automatically shuts down the air conditioner when it senses a clogged condensate line.
If your drain lines are clogged, you have to clear them to restore your air conditioner in normal working conditions. Begin with locating the PVC pipe located near the air handler’s drain pan. The pipe is simply a piece of pipe sticking out at a 90-degree angle with a cap on the top.
You should then unscrew the cap and place 6 ounces of vinegar in the drain line. This will kill any fungi and open up the line.
If this doesn’t work, try clearing it up with a wet/dry vac. Locate your outdoor condensate drain line near your air conditioner, connect your dry/wet attachment, then turn on the vacuum. You should run the vacuum until you have cleared the lines.
You should note you can avoid AC repair services Fairfax calls and expensive repairs by cleaning your lines every couple of months.
Parting shot
These are tips on how to fix a leaking air conditioner. You can fix some of the problems by yourself but if they don’t go away, hire a professional to help you out. When hiring the service provider, ensure they are experienced and certified to work in your local area.
