The Texas Hill Country is often considered one of the top places to live in Texas. It’s certainly the most beautiful, and the weather is generally mild. But we all know what it feels like when the humidity rises. Thankfully, a properly running air conditioner helps rid your air of humidity by gathering the moisture on the evaporator coil, allowing that water to drain outside. In this post, we’ll talk about what happens when you have a condensate leak from the A/C and the impact of higher humidity.
DO YOU HAVE A LEAK?
Finding out if you have a condensate leak is easy. The drain lines funnel water from your main unit outside your home. Head to the attic and find the drain line and drain pan. The drain pan is meant to catch excess moisture should there be a leak. Ideally, the area around your drain line and the drain pan should be completely dry. A small amount of moisture in the drain pan can funnel out via a separate drain line. Find the drain line on the exterior of your home. The main drain line will likely have some moisture coming out, but the excess line should only be dripping if there is a leak or clog.
No leak? These are other factors that can contribute to moisture around your A/C:
HIGH HUMIDITY
When the humidity is high, there’s more moisture in the air, which means more moisture gets into the HVAC system while the A/C is running. That means more water needs to be drained from the system. It also means your A/C is working harder, burning more energy, and costing more to keep you comfortable.
CONDENSATE OVERFLOW
Blockages or other factors can cause your drain line to overflow. Check the area around the line to see if there’s any rust. That’s a surefire sign that it’s been leaking. If the drain gets clogged with dirt or debris from your attic, that can cause the draining water to backup and corrode the inside of the line.
One of the worst side effects of a leaky A/C is that it can actually cause damage to your home. If the drain pan fills up, the water will eventually spill. If there’s enough overflow, the water will leak through the attic and damage the drywall on the inside of your ceiling. If you notice a water stain on the ceiling near where your HVAC is located, that’s likely the culprit.
PREVENTING CONDENSATION LEAKS
Aside from checking your unit on your own, your best bet to preventing condensation leaks is regular HVAC maintenance. A routine check will catch things like a clogged or rusty drain line, or too much moisture in the drain pan.
WORTH THE CALL
Routine HVAC maintenance is our specialty at The Bosworth Company. We have experts who know exactly where to look for problems, and how to fix them when they arise. We recommend HVAC maintenance twice a year – once in the spring and again in the fall. Make an appointment online, or call us today at (830) 428-2764 and ask for a Fall Clean & Check. It’s Worth the Call. Always.