Your heating and cooling system like any system in your home, might experience issues through the years. A water leak is one problem that can be worrisome if not taken care of. While water leaks vary in size, larger leaks can cause damage to your home. Which is why it’s best to take action right away when dealing with a water leak. In this article you’ll learn what causes your HVAC system to leak water, what to do, possible solutions and prevention.
What Causes a Water Leak
If your system is leaking water, shutting it off is the first step. Once your system is off the water leak should discontinue. The main cause of water leaking from your HVAC system is an issue with the drain pan. If you have a blockage in your drain line or a crack in your drain pan it will cause water leakage.
Preventing a Water Leak from the Drain Pan
Most systems today have a safety device known as a float switch. A float switch is installed in your drain pan and will shut your system off if your drain pan fills with water. Besides having a float switch installed, another way to prevent water leaks is to have your system maintained annually. The technician during a maintenance inspection will clear the drain line of any debris that has built up throughout the year. If not removed, this debris can cause a backup and water may leak out of your drain pan.
Other Water Leak Causes
Besides your drain line being backed up and causing your drain pan to overflow, there are other problems that can cause a water leak. If your duct system is “sweating”, it can cause water to drip in different places. This can be a quick fix and some insulation will usually solve the problem. If your system froze up due to a leak in your coil, once the system defrosts you might notice some water around the system. This will continue to happen until the proper repairs are completed. Finally, some systems include a condensate pump and if broken, will cause water to leak. Only replacing the pump will stop the water leak.
Once again, at the first sign of a water leak from your HVAC system turn it off! If the drain pan is filled, you can remove the water yourself. Though, you will still need to contact a HVAC professional to diagnose the cause. If your system is leaking water for any other reason, contact O’Brien and we’ll get there as soon as possible to find the root of the problem! Some water leaks are minor while others can cause lots of damage, so don’t wait to resolve the issue.
