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If your heat pump leaks, it may not necessarily mean that it’s damaged or requires a costly repair. But no matter how trivial the issue, you can’t leave it unattended as it might lead to a bigger problem. In this post, we list some of the most common reasons for a heat pump leak. While you can attend to some independently, others might require you to schedule a heat pump repair in Vancouver, WA.
Common Causes of a Heat Pump Leak
Here some common reasons for a heat pump leaks water. While some reasons don’t necessarily indicate a severe problem with the system, others might require further action.
Clogged Drain Line
As you know, heat pumps produce moisture, which falls into a condensate pan and then travels down the drain line. But the drain line might get clogged with time because of dust or dirt buildup. Or it could be the mold or algae buildup that might be restricting the water from flowing down the drain line. As a result, the water pools in the pan and begins to overflow onto the floor. To clean the drain line, pour a cup of vinegar down the drain line and wait a few hour and sit it there. This will help eliminate the algae, mold, and other residual buildups. In case of stubborn buildups or clogs, call an HVAC contractor in La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, or nearby areas, to fix the issue.
Note: Sometimes, water may overflow from the drain pan because of a faulty heat pump installation. Call a heating repair in Vancouver, WA to check if that’s the real cause of the problem.
Misaligned or Damaged Drain Pan
The drain pan is constantly exposed to water, so it’s prone to damage due to rust or corrosion. Also, drain pans may sometimes get misaligned or disconnected from the drain line, leading to leakage. The good thing is that a heat pump leak due to a misaligned or damaged drain pan is one of the easiest to fix. Check your drain pan to see if there’s any crack or if the pan is disconnected from the drain line. If there’s a crack, buy a new drain pan and fix it immediately. In case of misalignment or connectivity issues, you must connect the pan back to the drain line.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
This is one of the most common causes of a heat pump leak. Usually, the problem occurs because of low refrigerant levels. The ice that gets formed on the coils melts later to form a puddle of water on the floor. Besides low refrigerant levels, some other causes of a frozen evaporator coil include – a dirty air filter, dirty evaporator coils, and lack of airflow due to a broken blower fan. Try fixing the issue by cleaning or replacing the air filter. If that doesn’t help, have a heat pump water heater services in Vancouver, WA inspect your heat pump.
Poor Attic Ventilation
Poor attic ventilation could also be one of the reasons you experience a heat pump leak (if you have a ducted heat pump). This happens because of the temperature difference between the air inside the ducts and the ambient temperature in the attic, which leads to condensation. It occurs mostly in spaces with poor ventilation (such as attics and crawl spaces). However, this should not be considered a sign of a failure in the system. Instead, you need to ensure proper ventilation in the area to help reduce indoor humidity.
Blocked Air Duct
If you have a ducted heat pump in your home, it can lead to leakage because of blocked ducts. When the air ducts are blocked, they obstruct the normal airflow within the ducts. This, in turn, leads to temperature swings within the ducts, which further leads to condensation and sweating. The good thing is that the problem is easy to fix and all you need to do is remove the blockage that will allow the heat pump to start working back as normal.
Schedule Regular Heat Pump Maintenance
Lack of maintenance is one of the main reasons for issues that lead to heat pump leaks. So, to avoid a heat pump leak or similar issues, you must schedule routine maintenance. If you are looking for an HVAC contractor in La Center, Vancouver, Ridgefield, or nearby areas, we at All Around Mechanical are here to help. You can contact us for all types of air conditioners and heat pump services. To schedule an appointment, call us at 360-284-1424 or drop us an email at [email protected].
