While the air conditioner is cooling down your air, it’s also extracting gallons of water every day. If the condensate drain system is working properly, all that water is immediately expelled outdoors. However, sometimes A/C condensate drain problems can develop and cause water backups and other malfunctions. Here are three common A/C drainage problems, along with some effective solutions.
Leakage and Flooding
The condensate collector pan under your indoor air handler provides the ideal growth environment for algae. From the pan, algae can quickly overtake and block the drain line. When the condensate can’t drain away, the collector will overflow and flood the surrounding area. You may not realize there is a problem until water stains start appearing on the ceiling, or significant water damage has occurred in the utility room or basement. To prevent leaks and flooding, flush the drain regularly to keep ahead of algae growth.
Mold Growth
The warmth, moisture and organic airborne particles that mold needs to thrive are all present in a condensate drain system. Once established, mold is easily distributed throughout the home via the duct system where it can cause an array of health issues. Mold can also invade the A/C’s evaporator coil and suffocate the cooling system. To avert these issues, schedule yearly professional preventative maintenance and get expert advice about whether duct cleaning is warranted.
Dry Drain Trap
Typically, the condensate drain is connected into the home’s main sewer line. To stop sewer gas from backing up into the living areas, the drain line has a U-shaped trap similar to the trap on a kitchen sink. If unpleasant smells are wafting from the supply vents whenever the blower cycles on, water that should be in the trap has evaporated or there isn’t sufficient incline on the drain line. Your HVAC professional can identify the exact cause and get the problem fixed to stop noxious odors from circulating through the home.
If you’re experiencing A/C condensate drain problems is your Fresno home, contact the HVAC pros at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning for expert help.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about condensate drains and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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