Air conditioners are one of the best inventions to enter our homes, especially on long, hot summer days, but they can also sometimes be the cause of a serious problem – water damage!
We have been called in many times to do water damage restoration jobs in homes and in offices that have been affected by leaking air conditioners.
There are several reasons that your air conditioner might leak; the condensate drain line could be clogged, the drain line could be disconnected, the drain pan might be clogged or rusted through, the condensate pump has malfunctioned, evaporator coil has frozen (due to a clogged filter or refrigerant leak), your coils may be dirty or damaged.
If you aren’t an air conditioning professional you won’t know what most of these things are, let alone know where to look for them, therefore we recommend having a professional inspect your air conditioner periodically and carry out preventive maintenance so you don’t reach a point where the air conditioner drips or leaks in your home.
Also, it is very important to make sure that all the pipes are connected correctly after any maintenance work has been done. I recall a case of a family that had a really bad leak which completely ruined the new drywall ceiling that they had just put up, because of one small pipe which was not in place.
If you catch a leak from your air conditioner early you might be able to get it repaired and then let the water dry out and later paint over the area. This requires a minimal amount of work and costs. But, if you don’t notice a drip or leak until you see the signs of mold or a saggy ceiling, you might be looking at a lot of work and a heavy price tag.
If you notice mold in your home the best thing to do is have a water damage restoration company have a look and find the source of the water. Once you know that it is from the air conditioner you will turn it off to be repaired later, after the damp area has dried out.
How To Prevent Water Damage From Air Conditioners
Don’t leave your air conditioner on while you’re not home. It is very tempting to put your air conditioner on a timer and to come home to a nice, cool house, but it will not be worth it if your air conditioner causes water damage while you’re out and you’re not there to switch it off.
Also, as we mentioned, it is worth having a professional check your air conditioner every once in a while to make sure there are no problems.
Contact Us
If you find yourself with any type of water damage, including damage from your air conditioner just give us a call and we’ll be right there to help you. Have any questions about our services – we’re just a phone call away.