What To Do With a Leaky Air Conditioner

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

Air conditioners are convenient, but they can be overtaxed. Make sure to keep up with its upkeep!

As we get deeper into Summer, people will begin using their air conditioners more frequently, kicking on the fans, or lowering their thermostats to accommodate for these sunny, Southern afternoons. With temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees, most people are starting to see the definitive line in the sand, and realizing that Summer is very demanding when it comes to trying to keep cool.

SERVPRO Kaufman County / Mesquite wants to extend a friendly reminder to our readers to check and service your air conditioning units, whether they’re window mounts, or central heating and air. Air conditioning units use the combination of electricity and the mechanisms inside the unit to cool the air that is expelled by the fans. These mechanisms usually involve some kind of coolant, and, you guessed it, water. And where there’s water, there’s the looming threat of water damage if that water ever becomes uncontained. 

Leaky water from the attic can ruin ceilings and walls, and even floor-level mounts can leak and effect carpet and vinyl flooring below, leading to extensive and expensive work. But unfortunately, leaky air conditioning units happen to the best of us. Here’s what to do if you find yourself with a leaky unit: 

1. Keep the air conditioning unit turned off until the leak can be fixed. Mop up and standing water, and look at the extent of the damage. Make sure it’s a task that you can handle. If it isn’t, there are service professionals who can help.
2. Start the drying process! Pull up affected carpet and vinyl flooring, use a shop vacuum to lift moisture from affected areas. Apply fans to help create cross-currents of fresh, moving air. A dehumidifier also helps speed up the drying process, so add at your discretion.
3. Patch. You may need to patch up any affected drywall, or remove affected baseboards. Be on the lookout for signs of growth.
4. Know when to call. SERVPRO Kaufman County / Mesquite is staffed by industry-leading professionals and full-time mitigation and restoration technicians, that can help you with whatever problem you have, big or small. We’re always here to help, and we’re eager to get you back to "Like it never even happened."