Air conditioning units make hot, sticky days and nights more bearable for homeowners throughout central Indiana. Leaky air conditioners, on the other hand, can become a headache for these same households, often causing moisture damage.

The moisture that drips out of an air conditioner generally comes from the condensation that builds up on the air conditioner’s evaporator coils.

Although this moisture is supposed to drip into a drain, it drips into an overflow pan when this drain is clogged. If the overflow pan is clogged or the moisture is dripping too fast, water can drip out of this pan as well.

Excess moisture dripping from an air conditioner is not only annoying, but it can also have some disastrous effects if it isn’t taken care of promptly. Wet conditions can contribute to fungus and mold growth, for example, and over time, moisture can also cause wood to rot, resulting in structural damage.

Here are a few things that homeowners can do to prevent moisture damage from their air conditioners.

Keep shrubs and tall grasses away from outside air conditioner condenser units. Obstructions such as these can cause the air conditioner to work overtime, which can cause ice to build up on evaporator coils. When this ice melts, there is an excess amount of moisture that can leak out of the drain or overflow pan.
Change air filters regularly to keep the A/C unit running as it should.
Install a safety float switch in the emergency drain pan. When the drain pan fills up to a certain level, the float will rise, causing the A/C unit to shut off.
Arrange for annual inspections of your home’s air conditioner. During these inspections, a heating and cooling specialist will check to see if the refrigerant levels are low and if the coils need cleaned. He will also check to see if there is any obstruction in the drains as well.