Water damage can come from many sources in the home, and it’s not unusual to overlook the HVAC unit as a culprit. Your air conditioner produces moisture when it cools warm air, and when not properly taken care of, it may leak and ruin materials. For this reason, it’s essential to take some basic steps to prevent the need for water damage restoration.

How AC Units Cause Water Damage

1. Clogged Condensate Pipe

Air conditioners use an evaporator coil to cool warm air as it’s drawn into the system. This creates moisture. Droplets travel safely into a drain pan and then down a condensate line away from your home. Sometimes, however, the line gets clogged, causing the drain pan to overflow and possibly result in water damage.

Locate this line beneath a window unit or adjacent to your outdoor system. See if sludge, mildew, and debris are blocking the line and remove them if you have access. You may need a professional to draw deeper debris out with a drain line vacuum. Prevent clogs by flushing the line with one gallon of warm water each month.

2. Low Refrigerant

Refrigerant cycles through your system, releasing and absorbing heat during heating and cooling processes. Low levels—usually from a leak—may result in frozen condensation on the evaporator coil. The ice will eventually thaw when your unit cycles off and drip down your walls and into flooring.

Though the amount of water resulting from this thaw will likely never be alarming, mold growth, rot, and costly cosmetic damage are still possible. It’s important to hire an HVAC technician and water damage restoration professional to resolve the issues.

3. Dirty & Damaged Parts

Heating and cooling systems require regular maintenance. Not replacing the air filters, for example, prevents warm air from reaching the evaporator coil. When this happens, the compressor may freeze over, similar to problems with low refrigerant, and cause water damage. Check your filters once a month and replace them at least every season.

Units installed in basements require a condensate pump to push moisture up and out of your home. These gather dust and debris, and without care, they’ll lose power. Look for pooling water around the unit and contact water damage restoration experts if you notice eroded flooring.

Ductwork can be another problem area. Condensation forms on poorly insulated lines and collects when humidity levels rise. Mold grows in these conditions, and spores may spread through the system. It’s best to add more insulation panels around the ducts and improve ventilation in the attic by installing a larger duct vent.

Whether you require water damage restoration or need home improvement services, contact Reliable Restorations of Northampton, PA. This full-service company has served the area for over 20 years. Owners Gary Meckes and Alan Chuck handle various construction needs, including kitchen remodeling, emergency restoration, and wind damage repairs. Call (610) 972-2506 to schedule a consultation and visit their website to learn more about their services.