Preventing HVAC Water Damage

Your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system can cause extensive water damage if it’s not maintained properly. Common causes of HVAC water leaks include a clogged drain, frozen evaporator coils, and pipes that are not connected correctly. In this article, we’re going to discuss how to prevent AC from leaking.

How to prevent your AC from leaking

• Change the HVAC filter regularly to help prevent the unit from overworking, which can cause freezing and then defrosting on the evaporator coils, leading to your HVAC leaking water inside your home. Change the filter at least once a month with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. Yet, check the instructions manual first to know what type of filter you need. If the filters are inside the furnace or air handler, hire a contractor to change the filters.
• Maintain the condensation drain line:
  • When your AC unit is running, check the condensation line opening to make sure you see water flowing to the drain. The amount of water that flows depends on the humidity level in the house.
  • Flush the drain with an algae inhibitor. Once or twice a year, flush out your drain line with an algaecide to prevent mold or algae from forming. Use a commercial solution or regular bleach.
  • If the drain line has clogs, attach a wet/dry vacuum to the drain line (removing the paper filter first) and suck the clog out.
  • Make sure to properly connect and install the main drain line and emergency drain line.
  • Check that the pipe is oriented correctly as it might be knocked out of alignment.
• Another tip on how to prevent AC from leaking is to install a condensation pump to help excess water flow into the proper disposal drain. Additionally, install a safety float switch to automatically shut down the power to the AC unit whenever condensation builds up and there is a risk of water overflow.
• Have your HVAC system inspected professionally. HVAC inspection and maintenance can be difficult for homeowners, so hiring a professional is a good idea. Besides the tasks already mentioned, they can inspect and fix problems related to HVAC components. Those include the ductwork, furnace flames, grills and registers, AC compressors, the thermostat, and more.

Is your HVAC unit leaking? We can help!

Knowing how to prevent AC from leaking is sometimes not enough to prevent your unit from causing water damage. When leaks occur, the moisture promotes mold growth that can contaminate the air in your home. Check out how to prevent mold in HVAC systems. For HVAC water damage restoration and mold removal, contact your local PuroClean office.