Why a Clogged Condensate Drain Is a Problem

The indoor portion of your HVAC system has a large metal pan that sits underneath it. This drain pan catches any water that drips from your air conditioner, which is completely normal when it is set to cooling mode. If there’s any moisture in the air, it quickly turns into a liquid form after being near the very cold indoor coil. But this is only a backup.
Your home actually has a condensate drain that allows water to drain outside of your home. What happens if this drain line clogs and condensation cannot leak out? That means it’s time to invest in AC repair in Las Vegas. And our team is here to help. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn more about your condensate drain, why clogs are a problem, and how to identify any issues before they get too bad.
Problems Caused by a Condensate Drain Clog
High Humidity Levels
If there’s a drain clog, condensation just builds up in the line and backs up into your system. Eventually, the moisture will evaporate, and re-enter the air. This can be a problem because it increases the humidity in your home. You may begin to feel too hot and sticky as a result of this extra moisture.
Mold and Mildew
But discomfort is not the only problem. If there is more moisture in the air, there’s a higher likelihood that mold and mildew will grow. That’s a whole other set of problems since mold and mildew can do damage to your home in addition to negatively impacting your family’s health.
Corrosion
The water buildup in that drain can also lead to the corrosion of any metal parts. When water touches metal, it can cause rust, which breaks down the metal and leads to holes and damage. You may have to replace a variety of parts in your air conditioner because of this water damage.
Full Drip Pan
Since your drip pan is just a backup for your drain, it can lead to the drip pan filling up too fast. After all, water is only going to continue accumulating as your air conditioner cools your home. If the drain fills up and overflows, it will lead to your drip pan, which can also overflow. Then you’re looking at water damage not only to your air conditioner but also to your walls and floors in the immediate area.
Signs of a Clogged Condensate Drain
As we already mentioned, a clogged drain can lead to high humidity levels. That means that if your home starts to feel too moist, warm, or sticky, you may want to check that drain. You can also look around the area of the drip pan for any signs of excess water. Noticing moisture damage or your drip pan getting too full is definitely a sign that your condensate drain needs to be checked.
Bumble Breeze is your trusted local resource for HVAC, plumbing, and more. Give us a buzz and schedule your appointment for plumbing services!