Blog

https://www.onehourairdallas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/air-conditioning-repair-richardson-tx-clock-image.png
Air Conditioning Repair Guide For Leaky Units | Dallas, TX

Air Conditioning Repair Guide For Leaky Units | Dallas, TX

Photo By RahulDsilva at istock

Have you noticed that your AC unit is leaking water outside on a hot or humid day or whenever the unit is running? Although a little bit of water may be normal due to condensation of the humid and hot air with the AC unit, a lot of water leaking out is not normal at all and may be a sign that there’s something wrong with your AC unit. To ensure that the problem does not worsen and is not a sign that there’s something a lot more malicious at play, call an air conditioning repair technician as soon as possible.

This article will serve as a guide for leaky units and what potential causes should be investigated. The repair technician in Dallas, TX will be able to inspect your unit and provide you with several solutions to choose from.

What’s Considered Normal?

First things first, you don’t have to rush to call Dallas, TX air conditioning repair technician as soon as you see some water leaking out, as a little bit of water is normal. When you see water leak out, assess the situation for a day or two to see whether the water coming out of the unit appears like it’s a little too much or if it’s getting worse.

In general, it is normal to expect a little bit of leakage as the unit can freeze up and leak water when the water melts. However, the amount of water that’s leaking out will be quite little. It shouldn’t be enough to significantly stain your walls or create a large puddle. Once you notice some persistent water stains or a large puddle of water near your AC unit, you should call for an air conditioning repair service as soon as possible. The sooner that the air conditioning repair technician can come to your house, the better. You definitely want a professional to inspect your unit as soon as possible to ensure that there’s nothing wrong with it. You should avoid turning on the AC for the time being.

Issues with a Leaking Unit

If you notice that the AC unit is leaking water, you should call an air conditioning repair technician as soon as possible, as the water could damage the following:

  • The internal parts of the AC system. There are a lot of electrical components inside the AC system. These components aren’t likely to be waterproof although they may be water-resistant. If you let the water continue to pool inside the unit, it could end up frying some of the electrical components. Depending on what gets fried, the entire unit could end up malfunctioning.

 

  • The outer structure of the AC system. All AC systems are usually coated with some type of waterproof coat or paint. However, the metal parts can still rust, especially when they are exposed to water for long periods of time.

 

  • The home structure. Water damage to the walls and floors can be extremely difficult and expensive to repair. If the water gets an opportunity to leak into the foundation, it could weaken the structural integrity of your home permanently.

 

  • Anything that is nearby. Let’s say that the water leaks and drips onto your furniture. It could end up damaging the leather.

All in all, a leaky unit can be damaging to not only the AC unit, but also to the surrounding environment. If you can fix it, you should do so immediately or as soon as possible. The cost of the air conditioning repair services that are needed will vary depending on what’s wrong with the unit.

Potential Culprit #1: Dirty Air Filters

If the air filters inside the AC unit are dirty, they can clog the unit and prevent air from circulating properly. This could cause a lot of water to pool inside the unit and leak out. One of the first things that an air conditioning repair technician will want to check out is whether your air filters are in good condition or not and whether they need to be changed. This problem could have been easily avoided if the air filters were changed regularly.

The good news is that changing and replacing the air filters is a fairly straightforward and inexpensive repair. The air conditioning repair technician should be able to get the job done within several hours if not less, as long as they have the filter that you need with them. They may need to get another filter from the company or order one in depending on the make and model of your AC unit. In order to prevent this from happening, it’s always a good idea to let the HVAC company know what type of AC unit you have at your home. This ensures that the air conditioning repair technician will bring parts that are suitable for your AC system.

How Often Should I Change the Air Filters?

This is a question that comes up fairly often. The truth of the matter is that the correct answer will vary depending on the amount of use that the AC system gets. In general, most experts recommend getting your AC system serviced at least once a year. During the servicing, the HVAC company will inspect the air filter and usually replace it with a new one.

However, if you are someone who relies heavily on your AC system and turns it on almost every day during the warmer months, you might want to consider changing the air filters every month in order to ensure that they are always clean. A dirty air filter will not only cause your AC system to leak, but it can also bring about a lot of other issues as well. For one, the dirt, dust, pollen and other contaminants that get stuck inside the filter will block it and prevent the AC system from running smoothly and efficiently. A dirty filter will also reduce the quality of the air indoors, as a lot more contaminants will be found in the air you breathe. This can be particularly problematic for those who struggle with respiratory conditions and allergies.

Potential Culprit #2: The Unit Is Improperly Installed

If the AC system is not properly installed from the get-go, some of the parts may be misaligned. Although this may not seem like a huge problem, it is. The misalignment will not only cause the unit to take on premature wear, but it will also allow for a lot of cool air to escape. This means that your AC system will need to run a lot harder in order to bring the temperature down. It will also translate to needing more air conditioning repair services in the future.

The misalignment can also cause leaks to emerge, and that’s why you’re seeing a lot of water coming out of your AC unit.

The solution for this will vary depending on how improperly the unit was installed. The best solution is to re-install the unit in order to ensure that everything matches up and is aligned. However, depending on the complexity of the system, as well as your funds, this may not always be the best choice. An air conditioning repair technician may suggest that you allow them to determine which parts are misaligned, so they can patch things up. This could solve many problems that you’ve been facing. It’s also a much more affordable alternative to removing the AC unit and re-installing it.

How Can I Make Sure that My AC Unit Is Installed Properly?

The best way to make sure that your AC unit is installed properly is to hire a reputable HVAC company in your area to install the AC unit. Look at online reviews, and see whether the HVAC technicians have enough experience to know what they’re doing. Some Dallas, TX HVAC companies will also offer some type of guarantee for their work. If the AC unit runs into any problems after it has been installed, the HVAC company will send a technician out to take a look. If the problem stems from an improper installation, the HVAC company will shoulder all of the costs involved with the repairs, so you won’t have to worry about a thing.

Potential Culprit #3: Blocked Drain Pipe

Last but not least, the reason why your AC system might be leaky is because there’s a blocked drain pipe. This could be due to a plethora of reasons. For example, it could be because the air filter is dirty and has clogged up the AC system. Or, a rodent might have found its way into your AC system and died inside the drain pipe. Another possible cause could be that the pipes are frozen solid because of a refrigerant leak. Regardless of what the reason may be, you’ll need to call an air conditioning repair company as soon as possible.

The air conditioning repair company may use various methods to unblock the drain pipe. They’ll also want to assess what the culprit of the block may be in order to determine how to prevent the problem from happening again. For example, if the drain pipe is clogged because the air filters are filthy, the air conditioning repair technician may recommend that you schedule an air conditioning repair and service on an annual basis. If the drain pipe is clogged because of a dead rodent, the air conditioning repair technician will want to look for the crack that allowed the rodeo to enter the AC system to begin with. This crack needs to be patched up as soon as possible.

The solution for this issue will vary. If the drain pipe is really clogged or is in poor condition, the repair technician may recommend that you replace it with a new one. Once you’ve replaced the drain pipe, your AC system will work like new again, and you won’t have to worry about water leakages in the near future.

How Do I Prevent the Drain Pipes from Getting Clogged?

The answer to this is simple. All you need is regular maintenance and service. If you get your AC system maintained regularly in Dallas, TX, you’ll usually be able to easily pick up on whether there are any potential problems that need to be addressed. For example, a repair technician will be able to check and see whether there are any small cracks in the duct that will allow a rodent to crawl in. If there is, they’ll be able to patch it up almost immediately, so you won’t have to deal with any future problems.

It’s best to schedule a service every year if possible. If you don’t use your AC system regularly at all, you might be able to get away with scheduling a service every other year.

Call Us for Air Conditioning Repair Services in Dallas, TX

Has your AC unit started to act up? If you use your AC unit frequently or if you service your AC unit regularly, it will be more at risk of needing repairs. No matter what type of air conditioning repair is needed, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas delivers!

We are one of the most reputable HVAC companies in Dallas, TX and can offer a wide range of air conditioning repair and installation services at competitive prices. Our qualified technicians are licensed and insured. They have a lot of experience in repairing different types of HVAC units and have dealt with just about every type of problem that could affect an AC unit. They’ll be able to provide you with several solutions to choose from depending on the type of problem that you’re facing, your budget, and your overall needs and expectations.

For more information, give us a call at 682-269-2786. You can call us anytime, as we are able to offer 24/7 emergency HVAC services. If your AC unit has stopped running at a critical time or if you need it to turn on or be repaired as soon as possible, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands!