Australian summers drain most of your energy when you come back home after a tiring day of work, and as soon as you reach home, all you want to do is relax in a chilled room.
It makes air conditioning units a must-have in the summer; however, the last thing you want to see is an unsettling water puddle. Water leakage is a common problem that arises.
Why is my Split System Leaking Water?
Although common, water leakage is not normal and can indicate a serious issue. Before diving into the causes of water leakage, you should know to turn off the unit as soon as you see water dripping. However, there is no need to panic, as the service technicians can quickly fix this issue.
There are quite a few reasons, and we are discussing the most common ones we have encountered in our service journey.
Dirty Air Filters
One of the most common reasons your aircon units leak water is clogged air filters. Air filters need cleaning depending on the air conditioner’s usage.
If you don’t replace or clean the filters on time, debris, dust and dirt can accumulate over time, blocking airflow in the evaporator coil and freezing it. When the ice melts, the water spills out of the drain pan, causing your air conditioner to leak water.
Clogged Condensate Drain
A clogged condensate drain is also among the most common culprits that cause the water to drip. Condensate drain removes the excess moisture buildup from your room by expelling the condensation outside the house via a PVC pipe.
A clogged condensate drain causes the water to trap inside the air conditioning unit and leak out of the indoor unit.
Low Refrigerant
Low levels of refrigerant lead to low pressure in the air conditioning unit as well. The issue also causes the evaporator coil to freeze like the dirty air filters.
Once the coil melts, water spills out, causing a mess all over the place. Always check for refrigerant levels if the air filter is not dirty. You might notice a hissing sound if the refrigerant is leaking. The good news is if you catch it in the early stages, you might be able to fix it.
Let’s Talk About the Solutions
Clean the Air Filter
Cleaning the air filter should be a regular practice in order to avoid blockage. In the peak season, you should clean the air filter every two weeks and replace it every three months, depending on the usage.
When you encounter water leakage due to clogged air filters, drain the water from the pan and then clean the air filter with a soft brush and water. Do not forget to dry them completely before putting them on.
Unclog the Condensate Drain
The first thing you should do is turn off the aircon unit and empty the drain pan. Make sure to clean the water from the pan thoroughly to prevent the growth of mould.
Next, locate the condensate drain line and use a vacuum with a hose attachment to suck all of the blockages.
To ensure the line is clean enough, pour a small quantity of bleach or vinegar, and this should be done every six months to prevent severe blockage. In case of a severe blockage, you must call an HVAC service technician for professional handling.
Call an HVAC Technician
Only a well-versed HVAC technician can handle the issue of refrigerant leakage, as they locate the source of the leak and then seal it. You must call a technician as soon as you notice a bubbling or hissing sound because that indicates a leak.
Call Surrey Air for Preventive HVAC Maintenance
If you are not well-versed and refrain from DIY repair, you can always reach out to experts at Surrey Air. We have licensed and qualified technicians who have experience in providing repair and maintenance services for all types of air conditioning units.
If you want to replace your air filters or fix low refrigerant levels, contact us through our book-a-service form today.
