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Top Problems That Happen When Your AC Condensation Line Is Clogged
When you think about your home’s utility bills, what’s the most expensive one you pay each month?
If you’re like most Mesa residents, it’s your electric bill.
When you’re paying an average of $128.40 per month, finding ways to save is an absolute must.
One of the easiest ways to save each month is to keep your home’s air conditioner in good condition.
However, unexpected repair issues can pop up without warning and one of the most common problems Arizona homeowners run into is a clogged AC condensation line.
The sooner you can get the clog removed, the better, but you need to know how to spot the trouble in the first place.
Here are a few tell-tale problems that you’ll experience around your home if your ac condensation line is clogged.
Elevated Indoor Humidity Levels
Your home’s air conditioning system works to keep humidity out of the air.
Humidity levels can increase throughout the day based on the activities you’re doing around the home.
For example, taking a shower, running the washing machine, cooking, and even washing the dishes all increase relative humidity levels in your home.
When your AC is working properly, it removes that humidity from your home.
When your AC condensation line gets clogged, the moisture the system removes can’t exit your house.
You may start to notice that your home feels more humid or muggy indoors, even when the unit turns on.
This can make your house feel warmer than it really is.
Unfortunately, running a dehumidifier won’t fix the problem and it won’t help you keep your home cool when temperatures in the valley rise.
If you notice elevated indoor humidity, the best thing you can do is contact your HVAC contractor and let them inspect your system for damage.
AC Unit Not Turning On
AC condensation lines help your HVAC system drain excess moisture and water away from your home.
However, when the line gets clogged, the water won’t flow through the system and will instead get stuck in the lines.
Once this happens, the same equipment that helps cool your home can freeze the water inside the lines.
When the lines freeze up, your air conditioner won’t be able to turn on.
Pay attention to the way your system is working.
If the unit shuts off and won’t turn back on or struggles to turn on throughout the day, you may have a clogged condensation line.
The less your system can run, the warmer your home will get.
The only way to fix the problem is to let your air conditioning technician inspect the system and repair any clogs they find.
Dripping Water by the Indoor Unit
The water inside your HVAC system should drain through the system and away from your home.
This is how your air conditioner prevents water damage inside your house.
However, when your condensate line is clogged, the water will look for another place to drain out.
You may notice dripping noises around your indoor equipment or near your furnace.
If left unrepaired, the dripping water can lead to severe water damage throughout your home.
You may end up needing to replace sheetrock, redo the flooring, or repair electrical wiring throughout your house.
Listen for dripping noises when your system turns off.
If you hear anything out of the ordinary, contact your air conditioning repair team as soon as possible.
Overflowing Drip Pans
Drip pans help catch any water that drips off your air conditioner’s evaporator coils when the system turns on.
Typically, the water in the drip pan will either evaporate out or drain through the ac condensation line.
If the line is clogged, the water won’t be able to drain.
The more your system runs, the more water will drop off the evaporator coils and into the drip pan.
Over time, the water may fill the pan and overflow, leaving you with puddles in and around your air conditioner.
Not only will you have a soggy mess to clean up, but you’ll also put your home at risk for severe water damage.
Unfortunately, overflowing drip pans aren’t something you should try to fix on your own.
Try to soak up any water that’s flowed out of the pan and schedule an appointment with your HVAC technician immediately.
Moldy or Mildewy Smells Indoors
The water that drips off of the evaporator coils isn’t as clean as you think.
It’s exposed to dust, mold, and bacteria inside your home.
When the drain line is free and clear of debris, that dirty water filters away from your home.
However, when it’s clogged, that water sits in place, creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and mildew.
Mold and mildew can spread throughout your home in a matter of days.
Once it does, you’ll likely start to notice a mildewy or musty smell throughout your home.
Pay attention to the way your home smells.
Go room to room and note areas of your home that smell musty, mildewy, or moldy.
Check for strange odors by your furnace and air conditioner.
If you smell anything off-putting, schedule an air conditioning inspection.
Water Pooling Around Your Outdoor Condenser
When left unrepaired, clogged condensate lines won’t just overfill the drip pan.
They can also lead to pooling around the outdoor condenser unit.
This is because the water can’t drain away to the designated drainage area, so it will collect where it’s able to drain.
Get in the habit of inspecting your outdoor condenser unit at least once a month.
Walk around the unit and look for any puddles or wet spots around the unit.
If you notice anything out of the ordinary or see a buildup of debris around the unit, schedule an inspection with your repair technician.
Don’t Let a Clog Make Your Home Uncomfortable
When your home’s air conditioning system isn’t working properly, you’ll find it harder to keep your home cool and comfortable.
Watch for these common problems around your home.
If you notice any of these issues, don’t wait to see if they resolve themselves.
Contact our team to schedule an inspection as soon as possible. The sooner you can fix a clogged AC condensation line, the easier it will be to get your HVAC system up and running at full speed when you need it most.
Have you noticed any tell-tale signs of a clogged AC condensation line or other AC issue? Call Mark Daniels Air Conditioning & Heating for top fast AC repair in Mesa AZ. We’ve been serving the Valley Since 1996. Call (480) 571-7219 or request service online today!
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