Five problems with Air Conditioners that can cause water damage 

The elevated temperatures and high humidity in Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, and other localities of South Florida force us to keep the Air Conditioner running 24/7. Learn to identify water damage caused by faulty AC systems and how to manage these problems.

It’s not uncommon to get leaks from the air conditioner. Sometimes these are just a few drops that can be dried fast, but water damage can affect walls and even flooring in others. These risks are even more significant in places such as Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, and other South Florida localities where we keep the AC running 24 hours daily. 

In this blog post, you will learn about the most common causes of dripping from AC and how to prevent these types of water damage from affecting your property.  

1)    Condensation:  Sometimes, the AC ducts are not insulated properly. If your AC ducts run through the attic, chances are you could get a leak. Keep in mind that attics are not always adequately insulated. Luckily, if this is the leading cause, you can restore the duct yourself by wrapping air duct insulation around the duct. The first thing you should do is take off the foil and examine the air duct. If there is no insulation, you should put some on it.

2)    Clogged Drain Line: If the condensate drain is clogged, water can accumulate in the vent, causing the water to drip from the air conditioner vents. This usually happens whenever the AC system is installed on the upper level of a house. If the drain pan is filled with water, you have this problem. If that is your case, you should turn off your AC, identify where your drain line is located, and then flush it with ¼ cup of vinegar. For better results, you can do this every two months. 

3)    Refrigerant Leak: It’s not easy to find refrigerant leaks, as they can be in various parts of your system. That’s why we recommend hiring a professional to deal with this malfunction. Nevertheless, you can simply patch the cracked coil using special tape once the refrigerant leak is found. If the hole is too big or you have several leaks, it’s better to replace the coil or consider renewing your AC system. One way to prevent this damage is simply by giving your Air conditioner system proper and periodic maintenance. 

4)    Roof Leak: This is one of the most common ones, and even though the source is not the AC, it can cause several damages to your air conditioner system. There are leaks above the AC ductwork; they can come from a plumbing malfunction or the roof. These damages cause the water to go through your AC system and the vents. Getting a specialized opinion is always a good idea, but if you want to take matters upon yourself, try to follow the leak and identify the source. 

5)    Sump Pump Broken: Finally, another common problem that can cause leaks in the AC systems is Broken condensate Pumps; these appliances turn on the pump when the water reaches a certain level. Usually, this gets activated when the sump pump starts to float. If that doesn’t happen, it can mean that you have a faulty one and need to replace it. 

So to get this problem fixed, if you see a piece like a floating switch, you can try to turn it on and off. If it doesn’t work,clean it very thoroughly. Either way, we recommend you to speak to your AC specialist and try to replace this piece. The price is not that high and will remediate the problem immediately.