Air Conditioning condensate leaks, health hazards, mold risk, repairs
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Air Conditioning condensate leaks, health hazards, mold risk, repairs
Air Conditioning Condensate Handling Defects
A/C condensate piping, leaks, hazards
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This chapter of "How to Inspect the Central Air Conditioning or Cooling System" discusses the inspection of air conditioning condensate systems, including air conditioning condensate leaks, health hazards from air conditioner leaks, the related mold risk, and condensate leak repairs, as well as condensate piping, traps, drains,
condensate pumps, and the detection and hazards of air conditioning system condensate leaks in buildings.
Condensate leak
health and safety concerns are reviewed.
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CONDENSATE LEAKS - Air Conditioning System Condensate Leaks
When a cooling coil is installed atop a hot air furnace, air conditioning condensate leaks may drip onto the furnace heat exchanger.
Safety Warning about flue gas leaks: leaks onto a furnace heat exchanger can cause rust damage and holes,
risking dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and requiring replacement of the heating system.
Further investigation
of the source of leakage and the condition of the furnace heat exchanger is needed promptly - this is a safety concern.
Condensate Line maintenance tip: If the condensate line becomes plugged
system condensate overflow will spill onto and rust and possibly seriously
damage the furnace heat exchanger. During system operation you should
periodically confirm that condensate is being discharged properly.
This sequence of photos shows of an attic air conditioning condensate line what happens when an amateur rigs up a condensate drain in an attic without proper glue, support, and slope.
The plastic piping was not securely supported and when touched, fell apart to spill condensate into
the attic floor and into the ceilings below.
Condensate leaks into an attic ceiling risk not only
damage to the building but a hidden mold reservoir in the building insulation or on the attic side of
the ceiling drywall below.
Since this air conditioning attic system was the same one which showed the
dog bowl and kitchen pot in use to catch condensate drips at the air handler unit, the inspector
was not remiss in checking the remainder of the condensate drain line rather aggressively.
Condensate leaks from the air handler's internal drip tray (below the evaporator coil) occur if the
internal drain is clogged.
When condensate wets the insulation on the interior of the blower compartment
there is risk of problematic mold growth in the system.
In warm humid climates such as the Southern U.S.,
high levels of condensate production in the air handler unit can also result in movement of condensate
downstream into the supply duct, forced there by the blower itself.
Missing air conditioning condensate trap: [example air conditioning inspection report language]: We did not see a trap on the condensate line itself - usually
installed as good practice - ask your HVAC service person about this detail. It
could be required for sanitary or other reasons.
CONDENSATE TRAPS have
several function including avoiding possible draw of unsanitary air or bacteria
back into the building air supply.
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Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
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Thanks to Mike Giaquinto and Scott at SJM Inspect for technical editing remarks
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building design, inspection, and repair, and about indoor environment testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
"Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I & II", BOCES Education, Warren Hilliard (instructor), Poughkeepsie, New York, May - July 1982, [classroom notes from air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance and repair course attended by the website author]
Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend)
Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment ($69.00 U.S.).
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Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.