Catch an Overflowing Condensate Pan Before it Becomes a Major Problem

It’s going to be smoldering hot this week; so your air conditioner is going to be working overtime. It’s very important to make sure that your condensate pan is draining so you won’t have to deal with costly problems that can occur when a condensate pan overflows.Condensed water vapor is produced on the outside of your a/c’s evaporator coils during the cooling cycle. The evaporator coils circulate cool, liquid refrigerant that cools the warm indoor air that’s brought into the air handler by your blower motor. Thermal interaction evaporates the refrigerant inside the coils and causes the moisture in the air itself to condense. The water produced must go somewhere. This is where your drip pan comes in. The drip pan catches this water and then drains it away. The amount of water produced depends on how much you are operating your a/c and the amount of humidity in the air. During extreme hot weather, like this week, a lot of water is created.
As long as the drainage pipe from your condensate is open, there is no problem. But if this line is clogged or not functioniong properly, the condensate pan will fill to capacity and then overflow. When this happens water can drip into the blower motor and spill all over the floor that surrounds the air handler. If your air handler is located upstairs, this can cause huge problems like soaking the ceiling below.
There are some tell-tale signs below that indicate your condensate pan is overflowing.
1) If you find water at the base of your air handler or nearby, suspect an overflowing condensate pan.
2) When you change your air filter, if you notice that it feels damp or even wet that indicates that water is moving in the air stream.
3) If your home feels more humid than usual, it is an indication that the cooled air is picking up water vapor that has collected underneath your evaporator coil.
If you notice any of the above signs, it is important to have a professional inspect your system. Taking care of this situation, as quickly as possible. can help you avoid expensive equipment damage or costly repairs to your home from water damage. If you suspect you are having a problem with your condensate pan, call MTB Heating and Air today.