In the summertime, an air conditioner is essential to keep you and your family comfortable. A variety of problems can arise that threaten the efficiency of your air conditioner. One such issue is a clogged AC drain line, which can be nuisance enough on its own. If addressed quickly, unclogging an AC can be a relatively benign challenge. However, homeowners who neglect to address this minor problem quickly can end up with significant damage that inevitably leads to costly repair bills.
1) Indoor Water Damage
A clogged AC drain line can lead to water accumulation in places that it shouldn’t. Depending on where your air conditioning unit is located, this can lead to devastating water damage inside of your home. Some homes have their air conditioning units outside, others in the attic or the basement.
AC units that are kept indoors have a higher risk of causing expensive water damage to your living space if the drain becomes clogged. If the drain pan overflows, it can flood an attic or basement. This can lead to costly repairs to the structure of a home, as well as any homeowner possessions.
The safest way to evacuate a clogged AC drain pipe is to call an HVAC technician. They have the expertise to clear the clog without causing further damage to your home.
2) Microbial Growth
Standing water in an AC drain pipe can also lead to unwanted microbial growth. This usually takes the form of mold and mildew. When mold or mildew accumulates in an air conditioner, the spores are often circulated throughout the house. Not only can this cause a smell to permeate through your home, it can also cause health concerns (especially for those with mold and mildew allergies). According to the CDC, inhaling mold or can cause stuffy nose, wheezing, and irritation to the eyes and skin. Those with asthma or allergies can experience more serious breathing symptoms like shortness of breath.
When an AC technician performs a repair to address a clog in the drain pipe, they take extra precautions to prevent microbial growth. Cleaning the drain pan and pipe with an antimicrobial solution, like vinegar or bleach, often does the job.
3) AC Breakdown
Ignoring a clogged AC drain can lead to consequences as severe as a full air conditioner breakdown. This can happen for a number of reasons, the most common of which is that the evaporator coil freezes the standing water resulting from the clog. In many cases, this causes the entire machine to freeze.
Regardless of the cause, a broken down air conditioner is an emergency in the summertime given how high temperatures can rise during a SoCal heat wave. Since a frozen air conditioner usually involves many parts of the machine, it usually calls for a more advanced and expensive service call. As a result, homeowners should call a professional the moment they realize there’s a problem with their air conditioner.
At Home Comfort Cooling, Heating & Plumbing, AC repairing is what we do! If you notice a clogged AC drain in your home, don’t hesitate to give us a call and visit our website for more information. We’re here to help!
