June 29, 2017


St. Louis AC Repair

If you have a leak in your AC unit, a Scott-Lee Comfort Specialist will be happy to help resolve the issue.

It is very important for homeowners to have a little knowledge about their air conditioning unit. Having a clear idea of what is normal and what is not, is helpful when determining what the problem is and when it’s time to contact a trained and qualified St. Louis HVAC technician for repairs.

The most common cause of worry for homeowners is water leaks from the air conditioner. Often, one can see a small pool of water collecting near a condensate drain pipe or outside the HVAC unit. These small amounts of water are normal. Water near a condensate drain pipe often collects due to humidity. At the same time, water pooling near the outside of the HVAC unit is also no concern for worry, as this could result from water recycling that takes place within the HVAC unit.

However, a homeowner should have a cause for concern if these small amounts of water increase and the leaks are persistent. Such leaks can result in permanent damage of the HVAC system. Here are some of the common known causes of water leaks in the air conditioner:

  1. A broken condensate pump – A condensate pump performs the function of pumping out condensation water from inside the HVAC unit out. Breaking down the condensate pump can cause the water inside the unit to back up and overflow. Based on the size of the unit and the amount of water leakage, it can flood basements or attics, depending on where the unit stands causing serious damage.
  2. Dirty air filter -In an air conditioner, the air filter filters outside air in and blows it over the evaporator coil to cool the air. If the air filter is dirty, it results in airflow getting blocked and the evaporator coil can freeze over. When the air conditioner is not in use, it can cause condensate, or water,  to drip and overflow from the pan.
  3. Incorrect installation – It is essential to ensure that when the HVAC unit is installed first, it is installed under the supervision and management of a trained, experienced, and qualified HVAC technician. Incorrect installation can lead to a host of issues. An incorrectly leveled HVAC or an improperly designed condensate trap can cause water to accumulate and cause leakages and damages.
  4. Choked / clogged drain line – Debris, dirt, bugs can clog the drain hole and cause water from the HVAC to accumulate around it. It is essential to ensure that the drain line is clean and allows for the free flow of water.
  5. Damages to the drain pan – The drain pan collects condensed water from the air conditioner unit and directs it out through the drain pipe. If the drain pan is broken, rusted or damaged, it can no longer contain water and result in leaks from the air conditioner.
  6. Low refrigerant – Low refrigerant in the air conditioner causes low pressure in the air conditioner and leads to overcooling and freezing of the evaporator coil. Ice accumulates on the evaporator and when the evaporator coil melts, this ice melts to cause water leakage.

Identifying any of these issues correctly is only half of the issue resolved. For all troubleshooting, it is best to consult an experienced St. Louis HVAC technician.

With more than 35 years of experience, Scott-Lee Heating Company will be happy to inspect your air conditioning unit. Whether you need to repair or replace your air conditioning system, you can count on us to be there when you need us, charge you a fair and honest price, and stand behind our work 100%.

Call us today at (314) 200-0788 or fill out our online contact form.