This situation is an indication that your commercial AC system is leaky.
A steadily dripping water leak is always annoying. However, there are times when it can present more than just an everyday nuisance. Every so often, look inside your mechanical room – unusual puddles of water shouldn’t be there. This situation is an indication that your commercial AC system is leaky. Whatever you do, don’t panic! Simply call a professional technician to come and inspect your system for you. In the meantime, here are some tasks to complete before your appointment begins.
Search for Any Frozen Coils
First things first, verify the status of your evaporator coil. Frozen coils covered in ice are a dead giveaway that something is wrong. The puddle of water you saw on the floor is coming from this ice as it melts. So if this is the case, shut off your commercial AC system. Then, call an experienced technician to come and finish the job for you.
Don’t Chip the Ice Off
We cannot stress this enough: do not attempt to resolve the problem by yourself! In other words, don’t use a sharp object to chip the ice off; doing so can damage the coil fins. Those fins are more delicate than they appear. Besides, in some cases, the problem could be deceptively simple. What do we mean by this? Clogged air filters can have the same effect when they are left neglected for too long. Likewise, numerous other system issues could be affecting the airflow. Then the coils freeze over, and your commercial AC system starts to leak.
Turn Off the System
Our next suggestion is a bit of common sense: shut the system down. Doing this can prevent or minimize the water damage that can quickly ruin the rest of the affected area. This becomes critical if your HVAC is located on the roof (or in an attic or crawl space). The water can weaken the integrity of walls and ceilings, neither of which you want to be compromised.
Other Potential Causes
And now, we present to you a quick overview of other potential reasons why your commercial AC system is leaking:
- The coils are too dirty: Dust and grime can accumulate and cause more problems than you might think. This residue can block normal condensation flow as a result.
- The insulation is worn out: Likewise, insulation layers are intended to keep condensation moving through the coil. But cracks or holes in the insulation, no matter how small, can interfere.
- The drain line came undone: If the drain line becomes disconnected, it won’t move moisture away. This issue is mainly caused by hasty installation.
- Drain line or trap is blocked: Suppose that the drain line, drip pan, and drain trap are blocked. What happens next? A backup can lead to a leak, that’s what.
Crockett Facilities Can Help!
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