Why Replace A Cracked Condensate Drain Pan
Many homeowners have found that when their pans arent working, the water damages parts of the house, like ceilings and floors. Water damage can be frustrating, so you should replace the pan if it ever gets loose.
Moreover, while you can seal tiny cracks, we do not advise such a solution. More minor cracks can accumulate, and sealant cant fix rusty or broken condensate drain pans.
The System Was Not Installed Properly
There are many technical details that one can miss when installing the system. For example, one can miss properly supporting the condensate pan. This may make the pan sag.
Also, one may fail to properly install the secondary drain pan when using the horizontal application. If any of these issues are the main cause of an overflow, a technician can help you fix them.
How To Fix An Ac Drain Pan Full Of Water
If you notice that your AC drip pan is full of water, you want to cut the power to your AC unit. Now you can safely check the tubing around your unit to look for any cracks, holes, or leaks in the drain line. If you see any of these issues, then you know your drain line must be replaced and is most likely the issue at hand.
Feel free to carefully remove the water from the drain pan with a wet/dry shop vacuum and then dispose of the excess water in a safe location. Remove any dirt, grime, or debris that might be in and around the drain to make sure the outlet isnt blocked and water can drain easily.
Even with the water gone, you must be sure to address the heart of the issue. While you could clean out the condensate pipe and drain with a small wire brush, you should always consult an HVAC professional when handling big, complicated appliances like your AC unit. One mistake when re-installing a pipe could lead to your entire unit breaking down. Call in the team you trust most and get a licensed technician to fix your drainage issue.
Recommended Reading: Ac Hotel By Marriott Portland Downtown Or
How To Inspect Condensate Drain Line
- Locate your indoor air handler and look for the white PVC drain pipe coming from the unit and headed outdoors.
- Inspect the condensate drain line for any cracks or damage. Conduct a visual inspection of the entire drain line to make sure it is properly draining outdoors.
- Find the PVC cleanout tee and unscrew the cap.
- Insert a funnel and slowly pour a gallon of water down the drain. If the water begins to back up, you have a drain line clog. If water flows smoothly through the drain line, you can eliminate this. Either contact a professional or learn how to clear a drain line yourself.
Regular maintenance for your HVAC unit will keep your condensate line from clogging in the first place. To help keep your condensate line clear, we recommend pouring a cup of vinegar down the drain line every couple of months. This will help kill mold, algae, and fungi before it has a chance of clogging your drain line. Use vinegar for preventative maintenance throughout the year. It wont damage your drain line.
You can also use bleach to maintain clear drain lines, but only in the summer when your air conditioner is consistently running. Bleach wont be able to cause any damage or residue if there is a continuous flow of condensation. Another option is using a stiff brush to clean the inside of the drain line as far as you can reach.
- Learn whats included in your professional air conditioning tune-up.
Drain Pipe Is Clogged
The most common cause your AC drip pan is full is some type of issue with your drainage system, such as a clog in the piping. A clogged condensate line or drainage pipe can cause water to build up in the pan gradually until it is full or overflowing. This issue typically happens due to a lack of proper routine maintenance.
Serious damages to your AC unit can occur when this happens since the clog and collection of water prevent the unit from performing optimally. This issue can also cause water damage or flooding. Serious repair costs can arise from this issue if its not corrected quickly.
Also Check: Water Heater Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit After Replacing Thermocouple
How Does A Condensate Drain Pan Work With Air Conditioning
Air conditioning involves the system absorbing the warm air from the local areas atmosphere, removing the heat and moisture, and releasing it to cool the house, room, or building. The filter and evaporator coils help remove both by becoming very cold and circulating the air through the refrigerant. This process is called `heat transfer. Its a natural part of the AC operation process. Only drip or drain pans can mitigate the transfer.
Water droplets form when the temperature is sufficiently lowered after its separated from the air. They appear on the evaporator coil before dripping off the glass during the heat transfer. The pan then collects all the droplets, so they dont leak into the walls. Any water droplets that condense at some physical point above the pan will eventually fall into it due to weight.
The pan is connected to a condensate drain line. This is a series of piping that connects to the sewage system outside the house.
When the air conditioning is not in use, the drain line transports the water outside the house so that it doesnt gather. This process is done via gravity without much pressure. If you were to watch the process, theres a good chance that it would much more closely resemble a slow drip than an actual deluge of water.
Why Is My Ac Drain Pan Full Of Water
Its one of the hottest days of summer. You come home from a long day at work to discover that your air conditioner isnt working properly. You inspect your A/C unit and find that the drain pan your unit sits in is completely full of water. What do you do?
In this article, we discuss reasons why water could have pooled in your drain pan and some simple maintenance steps that you can take to prevent this issue from recurring in the future.
Don’t Miss: Water Not Getting Hot Gas Water Heater
Perfect Your Furnace Installations With Furnace Part Source
Do you want peace of mind when making installations? Take a look at the components for an air system from Furnace Part Source. We want to ensure that you have access to the newest parts, with special shipping deals. See if you can receive your orders on the same day, and you dont have to pay for second-hand equipment.
Reach out to us today to find out more about our condensate pan and evaporator coil options. Our representatives can make suggestions on replacements for Furnace Part Source will ensure that you have the right parts for your air conditioning or HVAC system. Well reduce the costs you have with home repair, by helping to improve your air conditioning system with brands like York and Carrier.
How Do I Fix A Drain Pan Full Of Water
There are several reasons why your air conditioners drain pan is full of water. Regardless of what you do or how it ended up that way, here are a few ways to fix the problem:
If your drain pan is full of water and none of those options work for you, call a professional to take care of it. After all, they have the proper tools for this kind of job.
You could try fixing it yourself if youre not worried about spending money or handling electrical components, but theres always an inherent risk whenever you go tinkering with machinery. Professionals know the ins and outs of these machines and can address any issues without putting themselves at risk. They also usually come equipped with their own tools and materials to get the job done.
If youre not very handy or dont want to break a sweat, then you can hire a professional who will do it for you. They have the equipment and experience necessary to fix your AC so that it works perfectly again.
Most companies provide homeowners with a maintenance plan so they dont have to worry about such minor issues as drain pan full of water or an A/C that doesnt work properly. Its best if they address the problem right away before it affects your health and safety, but in some cases, these things can wait until theyre due for servicing anyway.
Recommended Reading: How To Tell If Ac Is Frozen
How To Inspect Drain Pan
The overflow drain pan, located underneath your indoor evaporator coils, catches condensate that forms when warm air passes over cold evaporator coils. This condensation then flows into the PVC condensate drain pipe to be directed outdoors.
By using a flashlight and about a gallon of water, youll be able to locate and evaluate the condition of the overflow pan and PVC drain pipe. Small holes and even cracks can be patched up with water sealant or epoxy glue. If it is beyond a simple repair, however, its best to contact a professional for replacement.
- Turn the central air conditioning on at the thermostat and allow it to run for 20-30 minutes.
- Locate the indoor air handler and look for any evidence of water around the unit.
- Its possible that your drain line is in perfect working order and its a cracked drain pan thats causing the leak.
- Before removing the access panel and inspecting the overflow pan, turn off power to the air conditioner.
- Use a flashlight to inspect the drain pan, located inside the air handler. Check the opening to the condensate drain line for any obvious backups or debris.
- Clean out the drain pan as best you can. If there is condensate in the overflow pan, you probably have drain line clog.
- Pour a gallon of water slowly into the overflow pan under the air handler and observe the water level in the pan to verify that water drains freely into the secondary drain line.
Role Of The Air Conditioner Drain Pan
The drain pan is located beneath theevaporator coils. As the evaporator pulls heat out of the interior air, it also collects moisture in the form of condensation on the coils. The drain pan collects this condensate as it drips off the coil.
From the drain pan, the water flows down a line and is removed from the house. This keeps the inside air from becoming clammy or humid. However, in order to work effectively, the drain pan and line must be clear and clean.
Cousin’s Air, Inc. can provide top-notchmaintenance to keep your air conditioning system working at peak efficiency. For help repairing or diagnosing a problem with the AC drain pan,!
What Our Customers Are Saying
Past Customers Are Our Best Advertisements
-
Great job!
Michelle P.
-
I surely will always rely on Cousins air. Thank you ALL again, even the nicest girls who practically recognizes my voice when I call for my quarterly appointments.
Dr. Allen W.
-
they were efficient, personable and completed the job on time .
Len S.
-
I just want you to know how happy I am with Cousins’ responsiveness, and in particular with how quick and concerned Steve Jeziorwoski and his crew have been in getting things corrected.
Steven H.
You May Like: Cost Of Ac Compressor In Car
Should My Ac Drip Pan Have Water In It
Water plays a crucial role in the performance of your home A/C unit. Sometimes, you will see water in places that is should not be, and that could spell problems for your HVAC equipment.
If you do find there is water in parts of your home air conditioning system that is not right, it could lead to big HVAC maintenance issues. The question becomes, is the A/C drip pan an area that you should not expect to see water?
Repair Minor Damage To The Drain Pan
If you notice that the drain pan is leaking, use epoxy glue to plug that small crack responsible for the leak. However, if the leak is large, Folsom AC service professionals recommend that it is a lot better to replace that damaged drain pan.
Replacing the drain pan is best left to professionals. Contact Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing for expert help, especially if the permanent drain pan has a leak.
Recommended Reading: Ac Humming Fan Not Spinning
Where Is The Condensate Pan
An AC unit typically has two different drain pans: The primary air conditioner drain pan located underneath the indoor evaporator coils and the auxiliary or back up drain pan.
The primary condensate pan is usually welded to the evaporator coil, making it harder to replace. Steps for how to access condensate drain pan may also be tricky in this case.
Always Evaluate The Current Situation Before Making A Final Decision
Even when a drain pan is refurbished quickly, it still takes more than a day to get the job done because the coating needs to properly cure. A replacement can be installed in a short amount of time, which can be handy if you need to replace the drain pan in the middle of summer, when the temperature in your home or business could get very high. If you can live with the A/C not being used for a day or two, a refurbishment might be the way to go. If the floor beneath the A/C is getting damaged, especially if the problem just popped up, it may be a good idea to just go with a replacement.
You May Like: How Much Does Ac Maintenance Cost
Carrier Condensate Drain Pan
Carrier is our top brand for this part.They focus on updating systems for the future, and allowing easier transitions for new components. We recommend using the 28HQ400071 Horizontal Condensate Panwhen you need a similarly arranged replacement.
The 28MC500384 Vertical Condensate Pan is another option if you dont have a horizontal drain pan. Fortunately, either of these Carrier options should mesh well into any number of current installations, so there shouldnt be too much work needed to get them to slide into your air conditioner. Keep the orientation of your existing drain pan in mind, even if damaged. The direction in which it fits into the equipment is necessary to ensure proper fitment.
How Does It Work
When the AC is on, the chilling process will produce droplets of water. The process is similar to water droplets you find on a glass of cold water. These AC water droplets will eventually drip. Hence, a condensate drip pan is fitted underneath so it can collect all the drops of water.
The drip pan is also connected to a drain line. This will help in channeling the water droplets away and out of your home. If theres no drip pan or the drain line gets clogged, the water will start to pool. Once that happens, it will eventually overflow and cause water damage to your ceilings, floors, and walls.
You May Like: Water Heater Pilot Keeps Going Out
Should The Ac Unit Drip Pan Have Water In It
When it comes to AC units, water is crucial. However, it could be a problem if it appears in places where it should not be. If there is a problem, you must address it right away before it leads to bigger problems. So, the question is, is an AC drip pan one of those places where water should not be?
No, an AC drip pan is not one of those places where water should not be. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The AC drip pan is specifically designed to catch any water that may leak from the unit. Without it, water could potentially damage the floor or other areas around the unit.
So, if you notice water in your AC drip pan, dont panic. It is most likely just a normal part of the AC units operation. However, if the water level in the pan is unusually high or if there is consistent leaking, it could be a sign of a problem.
How Often Should You Clean Ac Drain Line
Every three months you should flush your drain line. Warm water can also be used. They shouldnt use bleach as they can damage the plastic pipes and break down the cement that holds them in place. If you dont have access to vinegar, you can use a mixture of water and vinegar to clean your PVC pipe.
Pour the water into a spray bottle and apply it to the inside of your pipe, then let it sit for a few minutes. The vinegar will dissolve the dirt and grime that has built up on the surface of the plastic. It will also help to remove any debris that may have accumulated in the pipes.
Read Also: How To Turn Water Heater On
How To Prevent Water In Your Drain Pan
Regular maintenance can easily prevent your drain pan from becoming full of water. If you live in the Raleigh or Wilmington areas of North Carolina, consider purchasing a maintenance service agreement with Newcomb and Company. The scope of our agreement will prevent this issue as well as many others.
What Is A Drain Pan
For the uninitiated, your air conditioner cools the air using the magic of the evaporator coils. Located inside your indoor and outdoor units, they are cooled when refrigerant circulates back and forth between them.
At the same time, a fan is constantly pulling in warm air from the inside and cooling it by forcing it over the evaporator coils. The cool air then recirculates back into your living space or your office. Pretty cool, eh?
The byproduct of this process is condensation. Thats why the drain pan exists to capture all that humidity and excess water and remove it from your air conditioner unit.
Now, depending on the type of your AC, you might have upwards of two condensate drain pans. The primary condensate pan collects condensation that sometimes drops from the evaporator coils. The secondary drain pipe is the extra line of defense and is there to ensure that the primary one doesnt overfill.
Also Check: Whats The Best Ac Unit