Water leaking from an overhead vent may turn out to be a distressful and hazardous picture in any building. The water drip from here may point to roofing problems, such as condensation build-up or damaged roof.
Similarly, the water drip might also come from the condensate line of the air conditioner. It’s a must from the very beginning to prevent internal water damage and to solve the risk of mold growth. Correct identification and rectification, whether as an owner or done by a professional, are prime to resolve the case satisfactorily.
Reasons Why water leaking from AC vent in the ceiling
1. Condensation Build-up
The cooling process that removes heat from warm air and makes it humid leads to the formation of condensation on the evaporator coils of the AC machine as well. Often, the droplets collected are thrown into a drip pan and removed via a drain pipe.
If the surrounding air is hotter than the cold air inside the ducts, there might be additional condensation that will form on the outside of the ducts. If winter is too dry, the condenser will be overworked, and even the well-insulated duct can drip water on the floor.
Related Article:Â Ways To Stop Condensation On Air Vents
2. Clogged Condensate Drain Line
The condensate drain line has an important job: to lead the inner moisture upon the AC unit where it goes to the drain. As time goes on, the line gets blocked by dirt, algae, or debris, thus not allowing the water to reach the ceiling area, which can also lead to an overflow of water.
Periodic cleaning and upkeep are the keys to ensuring that the drain pipe does not get blocked.
3. Frozen Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils can get frozen because of many factors; for instance, the refrigerant is insufficient, the airflow isn’t sufficient over the coils, or continuous operations at very low temperatures. The coils cease to function normally, which causes the system to work harder.
This can lead to the temperature inside the vehicle continuing to drop further. When the air conditioner is switched off, or the air temperature increases, melted ice starts to overflow the drip pan and drips water from the ceiling vent.
4. Improper Installation
In such scenarios, the AC system, especially the duct system, would create remoteness or give poor connections between the segments if not correctly installed.
As a result, the unevenness in temperature would bring about cold air leaking through, condensation on a warmer area of the ceiling, and ultimately, water landing on the apartment below.
In addition to this, the slopes or levels on the ducts that need to be appropriately done will prevent the water from draining the right way, which will result in accumulation and leakage in the long run.
5. Faulty Drip Pan
The collection pan is where the water from the drip pan, condensed from the AC unit, is held. But over time, it can wear out.
Some problems often encountered are cracks, corrosion, and rust; the leak of water and dripping are the results. An inspection can become a judge and find this and other leak problems early enough for them to be prevented.
6. Air Leakage
If ducts are not sealed to prevent air from leaking between the ducted air and conditioned area, such as the attic or crawl spaces, condensation forms on the outside of ducts.
The problem emerges particularly with the humid outside environment or in hot weather when the difference between the air temperatures in and out of the ductwork is high.
Preventative Measures and Solutions
To avoid these problems and ensure that your air conditioner remains fully functional, expect regular maintenance.
This involves the removal of lint build up in the drain lines, checking out the drip pan and the evaporator coils, refrigerant level correction, and the insulation and sealing of ductwork.
An expert who services HVAC equipment can do annual system check-ups and repair damage when needed to keep it in perfect operating condition while free from leaks.
