One of the most annoying and stressful things to discover is finding a leak in any major appliance. The reason it is annoying is two-fold:
In Other Waters. All Discussions Screenshots Artwork Broadcasts Videos News Guides Reviews. These things greatly weaken a home’s walls and can give way for water leaks which ultimately can lead to a whole host of other issues after water damage occurs. Treatment of Exterior Wall Damage. There are a variety of ways to patch up these cracks, holes, and gaps. Often times you can fix a slight crack with a single application of caulk.
a) It is often hard to find where the leak is coming from
b) It often results in a service call to a contractor to find and attempt to fix the leak
If the crack is horizontal or runs at a jagged 45-degree angle, it might mean there's a more serious problem such as severe foundation shifting or water damage. Surface-blemish cracks can often be. Spider Web Cracks. As the name suggests, spider web cracks are those cracks that have a center point and then spread out in different directions. These cracks are a normal part of home settling and can occur in ceilings, walls, and even floors. When it comes to spider web cracks, size is important.
However, did you know that frequently when you notice that your AC is leaking water, the cause is actually due to a condensate pan that is cracked and can be easily replaced by a professional HVAC contractor in Scottsdale?
Raise your hand if your next question is “What is a condensate pan”? Fortunately we have some answers that will teach you a little about this important safety device and how simple it can be for a professional HVAC repair expert to replace.
Commonly Asked Questions About Condensate Pans
Question #1 – What is the Condensate Pan and where is it located?
The condensate pan is located on the air conditioning unit below the evaporative coil. Its job is to catch the condensation that drips off the outside of this coil as warm, moist air passes over the coil. Air conditioners work by cooling the warm air from inside your home by circulating the air over coils that are filled with refrigerant. This in turn causes the air to cool, and moisture to condense on the outside of the coils. This is also how your typical air conditioner dehumidifies a home.
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Question #2 – What causes a Condensate Pan to break or crack?
The condensate pan is simply a place to collect this moisture. It often has a hose or attachment that circulates collected water to a drainage system. However, from time to time this pan can crack either due to extreme cold temperatures or wear and tear. When properly installed a condensate pan can last for years, but you can’t control the outer elements. This is why sometimes the pan will crack especially if you have a sudden freeze during the year. If there is any standing water inside and the water freezes, it can cause the pan to crack.
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When this occurs, the normal flow of condensation leaks out of the cracked pan leading to commonly diagnosed and easily fixed leak.
Question #3 – What Can You Do to Fix this Issue?
If you discover any leak near an electrically charged major appliance, waiting or repair it yourself is not a good idea. The best thing you can do is follow a three step process:
- First – shut off the power to that outside unit
- Call a dependable HVAC contractor immediately
- Have them inspect the system for any further damage or have them repair the cracked pan
Under no circumstances should you attempt to fix this yourself. Always defer to safety and have a professional take the actions of getting this fixed. When you contact a HVAC professional to fix an AC leaking water, it tends to result in a positive outcome for everybody.
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Contact the AC repair experts at Scottsdale Air Heating & Cooling to fix your leaking AC unit. Email us or call 480-359-7141 now!
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