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The 3 Reasons for a Leaking Aircon

During the sweltering summer heat, a broken air conditioner can create colossal discomfort. One of the most common reasons for the poor performance of such systems is aircon leakage. While the issue is not always that serious, it may require proper top up aircon gas. As you may know, air conditioning systems work pretty much like refrigerators. Without refrigerant gas, an air conditioner will struggle to meet the constant load.

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Perhaps, the worst thing you can do is leave the issue unattended. The refrigerant gas is like the blood of every unit – it carries the actual process of cooling. Over time, an aircon leakage can reduce the amount of gas in the system to a necessary minimum. This is when the issue can quickly become more significant than you’ve expected and may lead to a complete breakdown.

Luckily, we’ve outlined a few indicators to keep an eye on. In case you’ve noticed water leaking under your indoor air handler, turn off the unit and call a professional. While this may save you more headaches, it may give you time to consider your options. Here are the top 3 reasons for aircon leakage, as well as some tips for fixing them:

The evaporator coils have frozen

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Without a doubt, the most immediate reason for a leaking aircon is a clogged air filter. Over time, all filters accumulate dirt and grime. In turn, everything starts making the circulation of air more challenging. Since air can’t pass through the air filter easily, it causes the evaporator coils to freeze. The reason for this is that these coils require proper airflow to absorb heat. When the airflow can’t reach them anymore, they simply freeze.

In such cases, the refrigerant inside can’t take any more heat. While this may lead to warm air or no air at all, it may also create problems for your compressor. That’s why you must stop the evaporator coil immediately when you notice it has frozen.

If you want to avoid this issue, you should replace or clean the air filters every month or two. Besides, you’ll use your unit a lot more during the summer, so keep an eye on the air filter more often. If the problem persists, call your local technician to top up aircon gas.

The drain pan has cracked or overflown

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Another common reason you might stumble upon is the cracked or overflowing drain pan. Its purpose is to catch the incoming condensation from your air conditioner. But if there are leaks, your best shot is to turn off the unit. Then, you can vacuum the excess liquid with a wet-dry vac, turn the machine off and search for possible leaks.

Bear in mind that most air conditioning systems have two drain pans. The first one is underneath the evaporator coils, and the other one is underneath the unit. While the latter is removable, the former will remain fixed, so you’ll undoubtedly need the help of a professional.

There’s clogging in the condensate drain line

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Last but not least, a clogged condensate drain line can also be a potential issue that requires immediate aircon repair. In this case, the line can accumulate fungi, debris and even algae. That’s why it’s crucial to clean the drain line from time to time.

Simply locate the pipe near the drain pan and find the tube with the cap. Unscrew the cap and pour about six ounces of vinegar to kill the algae and fungi accumulated in the pipe. You can also try cleaning the drain pan with a wet-dry vacuum.

If the problem persists, you may want to consider calling a professional. Keep in mind that many modern air conditioners switch off automatically when their air filters and condensate lines become clogged. If you can’t turn on your aircon unit, it’s very likely because of a dirty filter or condensate line. Let’s not forget about the frozen coils. Such a problem may require a professional to top up aircon gas. That’s why it’s best to rely on an expert technician to carry out a thorough maintenance check.

Where to top up aircon gas

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Finally, it’s a well-known fact that many home and office owners don’t know how to maintain their aircon units. Of course, a small percentage have the skills and knowledge to fix an aircon leak the DIY way. Still, the best you can do is call a professional. Along with regular aircon servicing, an expert will check the refrigerant gas level in your system. That way, you’ll get adequate information about the condition of your unit.

If you ever notice any of these three problems mentioned above, proper aircon servicing will be of great help. Of course, you wouldn’t trust your unit and money on a sketchy contractor. Luckily, LK Brothers is an aircon servicing company that can quickly top up aircon gas. The company specialises in all kinds of aircon maintenance and repair service. Its experts will provide professional support for a reasonable amount of money in no time.