Are Your A/C Ducts Leaking Water?
A cool home on a hot day can be disrupted by a surprising culprit: leaky air conditioning ducts. Yes, those metal tubes snaking through your attic or basement can spring leaks, leading to water dripping and potential problems.
Here's why your ductwork might be leaking:
- Condensation Buildup: As cool air travels through the ducts, it encounters warm attic or basement air, causing condensation to form on the ductwork. If the ducts aren't properly insulated, this condensation can drip and pool.
- Clogged Drain Line: Your A/C system has a drain line that removes condensation collected during operation. If this line gets clogged with debris like mold or algae, the condensate can back up and leak from the ducts.
- Cracked Ducts: Over time, ducts can develop cracks or holes. These gaps allow conditioned air to leak out and can also allow humid air to enter, leading to condensation and dripping.
If you notice water dripping from your vents or pooling around your ductwork, don't ignore it! Address the leak promptly to prevent water damage, mold growth, and higher energy bills. Contact A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical now to diagnose the cause and implement a solution.
Potential Problems Caused by A/C Duct Condensation
Have you noticed some water droplets building up in your air ducts? This occurrence is called condensation. It happens most in summer months when A/C units work in optimum performance to cool your home. Condensation in your A/C ducts may seem like a light issue, but if left unsolved, it could lead to:
1. Dripping Insulation
Too much condensation in the ducts can affect your home’s insulation. When water drips off the insulation, it will reduce the R-value of the material used for insulating the ducts. Slowly, the efficiency of the material lessens as the condensation persists.
Ductwork insulation prevents the air that passes through your duct system from leaking out. Air leaks can result in unwanted energy loss and higher utility bills. Without good ductwork insulation, you may lose up to 30% of the energy used to cool your space.
2. Water Leakage
Another danger caused by A/C duct condensation is water leakage. The moisture developed in your ductwork can become a source of the water leak in the ceilings, roof or walls. Even the smallest leak is critical to your home’s foundation and your family’s safety. Gradually, water intrusion will work on the drywall and cause it to collapse at any time.
3. Toxic Mildew and Mold
Moisture buildup around the ducts leads to the formation of mildew and mold that poses serious hazards to your property as a whole. Molds may spread in the entire home affecting its structure. Worse, it can spread through the vents where it can potentially attack your furniture, carpets and even wardrobe.
4. Health Problems
For people with high sensitivity to mold, they are the most affected by duct condensation. They can easily be affected by rhinitis, asthma, congestion and other health issues.
5. Fire Hazard
Can water damage cause fire-related hazards? Definitely! An electrical wiring present in the wall or ceiling can pose fire threat due to a leaky ductwork. It is best to ask help from professional electricians to inspect if there are shorted wires and other unseen problems.
Schedule a Regular A/C Maintenance to Prevent These Risks
Prevent A/C duct condensation before it even happens through a regular maintenance service from the experts. You can trust our team at A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical to handle all your concerns regarding your ductwork and how to control moisture from building up. We have the best team to save your day so call us at (503) 694-3396 now!