The weather is finally starting to warm up, and it’s the perfect time to make sure your air conditioning system is ready to beat the summer heat.

Many air conditioning units are hidden away from your everyday view. Unless you make regular inspections, water damage can occur on a daily basis without anyone knowing. This kind of damage can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars, if it gets really bad. Luckily, this damage can usually be avoided by following the three tips below.

1. Check your condensate drainage line.
When the outside temperatures are especially hot and it’s humid, your unit might need to run almost continuously to keep your house cool. During these times, the system can actually produce between 10 and 20 gallons of water daily!

Normally, this isn’t a problem and the water just falls into a collection pan and then drains out with the waste water. However, if the drain becomes clogged and the unit produces more water than it can handle, the overflow of water can lead to water damage very quickly.

The excess water can also lead to an unhealthy growth of mold. You can help prevent the growth of bacteria, algae, slime, and mildew within your drain by pouring a mixture of half chlorine bleach and half warm water down it, every four to six months.

2. Change your air filter regularly.
The second and probably the most common reason for water leaking from your A/C is a clogged air filter. A dirty filter will cause ice to form on the evaporator coils and when that ice melts, it drips water.

This can easily be avoided by changing the filter on a regular basis. Most filters are only designed to use for one or two months anyway. Even if you can wait two months to change the filter, it’s still a good idea to inspect it every month while using your A/C. This gives you the opportunity to check on everything and see if all the water is draining correctly.

3. Inspect your overflow pan.
The last potential cause of water damage is a leak in the overflow pan. The pan is there to catch any normal condensation from the A/C unit. You can easily inspect it by using a flashlight and looking for any bad spots.

Check each corner and along the edges. If you notice a leak, look directly above the wettest spot. Small holes and cracks can be patched temporarily with an epoxy, but for a long-term fix, it’s usually best to replace the entire pan.

Regular maintenance and inspection of your air conditioning unit can help prevent water damage from occurring. Regular maintenance of your system can also drop your heating and cooling energy usage by up to 25%!

If water damage does happen for any reason, don’t hesitate to call Swartz Contracting & Emergency Services. For more information about our water damage restoration services, call 419-331-1024.