Some of the most common complaints about air conditioners are when the condenser starts to make odd noises, or the system is not blowing cold air as there is a refrigerant leak. These problems are both examples of potentially very serious problems that need to be addressed immediately, but one issue that is often overlooked is a clogged condensate drain. A clogged drain may appear to be a minor thing, but it can have serious implications for your AC unit.
What is a Condensate Drain?
As your air conditioner is running, it absorbs heat across the evaporator coil drawing moisture from the air. This moisture is collected along the coil, where it will eventually begin to drop. This dripping water is supposed to be caught in a pan that is placed to allow the accumulated water to be directed away from the unit through the condensate drain.
How Does the Condensate Drain Get Clogged?
There are two primary causes of clogged condensate drains. The first cause is algae growth, which is particularly common in humid climates. Hot, humid weather creates an ideal breeding ground for algae growth. This can bloom and clog up the drain. The other main reason why your condensate drain may have become clogged is dirt, or other debris has entered the air conditioner unit and been drawn into the condensate pan.
What Happens When the Condensate Drain is Clogged?
Such a minor detail of a complex air conditioning system is easy to overlook, but a clogged condensate drain can cause a number of potentially serious issues. When the drain has become clogged, the water in the pan has nowhere to go. The condensate pan is usually only an inch deep, so it can quickly begin to overflow. This could allow water to splash onto the delicate electrical components. At best, you could end up with a failed component, but at worst you could end up with a spark that starts a fire. Even if there isn’t a great deal of water, a clogged condensate drain could create costly water damage and corrosion inside your HVAC system.
A water leak of any kind has great potential to go a great deal of damage in your home. When the leak is inside your HVAC equipment, it could create an even more costly scenario. This particular type of leak could cause hundreds of dollars of damage before it can be resolved. Additionally, a clogged condensate drain can create a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Resolving the Problem:
While in many cases, unclogging a blocked condensate drain is simple, it is usually best left to a professional expert. Amateurs can cause further damage if they try to fix a clogged condensate drain with the wrong tools or an incorrect technique. So, it is a good idea to call in a professional if you suspect that your condensate drain has become blocked. An experienced professional can not only address the underlying problem, but also check for any damage that may have been caused by the leaking water.