While crawling around in the attic is no one’s idea of a good time when temperatures are high, a little air conditioning might be welcomed even in cooler fall weather. Plus, if last winter was anything to gauge by, Fall and Spring should be looked at as the time to do maintenance to make sure your HVAC unit(s) are working perfectly for Winter and Summer.

 

With that in mind, here are a few things that might be wrong with your AC if you notice a leak.

 

Frozen Evaporator Coils 

 

While there are only a few causes of a leaky air conditioner, the first big culprit is usually a clogged air filter. When your air filter is beyond dirty and hasn’t been changed for quite a while, it restricts airflow. This can cause the evaporator coils to freeze up. How? The refrigerant flows through an evaporator coil and needs free-flowing air to absorb heat. Without this, ice will form and drip water. This can also be caused by dirty coils, blocked vents/registers, broken blower motor, or lack of refrigerant.

 

To avoid this, change the air filter every 30-90 days or get a professional to check the evaporator coil between seasons.

 

Cracked or Overflowing Drain Pan

 

What is a drain pan? Your drain pan is located underneath the indoor air handler, which provides a home for your evaporator coil. Its main function is to catches any condensation from your air conditioning unit. Turn off the unit and inspect the drain pan and pipe for potential leaks. The pipe is usually connected to your drip pan and releases the condensate outside.

 

How can you remedy the problem? Try using a wet-dry vac to clean the overflow pan and inspect the surrounding areas with a flashlight. Water sealant is a temporary fix for a cracked drain pan, but a replacement is best in the end.

 

Pro-tip: There are usually two drain pans, one underneath the evaporator coils (permanently fixed) and another underneath the unit (removable). Please call a professional for permanent pan replacement.

 

Clogged Condensate Drain Line

 

The third reason is a clogged drain. The condensate line can become blocked with fungi, algae, and debris. The way to clear it out is through a wet vacuum. And the best part? This can be a DIY project and one that you could do without the help of a professional.

 

If you have any questions about your AC system, we’re here to lend a hand every step of the way!