What to do if the split system leaks into the room: common breakdowns and how to fix them
A split system is a technique that maintains a comfortable room temperature.Therefore, any breakdown is a real test for the owners. A particularly unpleasant situation arises when the split system leaks into the room - you will learn what to do in such a situation from the article.
We will tell you all about the causes of leaks in climate control equipment and ways to combat the breakdown. The article we have presented discusses situations with a banal blockage of the drainage channel and serious technical problems. Taking into account our recommendations, you will be able to promptly eliminate or prevent an emerging problem.
The content of the article:
Should water flow or not?
A split system is a complex engineering design for air conditioning, in other words, a type of air conditioner. It consists of two block parts: internal (evaporator) and external (compress-condensate block).
This technique is capable of not only cooling the air during hot weather, but also heating it in cold weather, until the heating is turned on. The formation of moisture is an indicator of the proper functioning of climate control equipment.
Principle of operation split systems is based on the fact that freon or a newer version of it, passing through the evaporator, gives off cold to the room and absorbs heat. In cold weather, the opposite happens.
But there are still situations when “dripping” signals a malfunction in the equipment.
How to understand that a breakdown has occurred?
First you need to determine where the leak came from.
There are three main locations.
- Directly from the very indoor unit.
- Through the blinds of the split system, individual drops or large splashes enter with air flows.
- Water flows along the wall on which the indoor unit is located in the room.
Once you determine where the drop occurs, you can decide how to deal with it.
First, do a quick check. You should check the condensate tray; if the leak started during a hot period, when the air conditioner operates for a long time in cooling mode, then this is a completely normal situation. When the container is overfilled, the water will overflow and form a leak. To stop a flood, you just need to drain the water.
Inspection of the condensate tank during hot weather should be done every few days, since the equipment is working at its maximum capacity at this time, as well as before the onset of cold weather. If the dripping does not stop after this, then a serious equipment failure has probably occurred.
The most likely causes of failure
Below we will look at the most common causes of breakdowns that can cause a split system to “cry”.
Reason #1 - clogged drainage system
The most common culprit is a clogged drain.Various debris is clogged in the drain pan of the indoor unit or in the hose, therefore it is necessary to split system cleaning, the steps of which are described in our recommended article.
What could be clogged with the hose? There were insects - wasps, moths, flies. Additionally, water collects in the drainage pipe during the summer, making it an ideal habitat for insects.
Due to repair work on an external wall, putty, particles of building materials or coarse dust may get into the hole in the hose.
This situation is relevant if repairs are carried out in the apartment above yours. In this case, all the debris will fly towards your air conditioner and clog it. Therefore, it is worth covering the external unit with film.
Reason No. 2 - pump malfunction
When it is not possible to discharge condensate in the classical way to the street through a drainage pipe, then install models with a pump (pump).
Typical causes of leakage:
- The pump itself is faulty or has completely failed. In this case, you need to contact specialists to repair it or completely replace it. Please note that such parts should only be replaced with models of the same brand.
- Problems with the air outlet tube. Bent, clogged, pinched, or depressurized.Any changes to the tube can be caused by the effects of time, the choice of low-quality materials, improper installation, etc.
- Float chamber (sensor) is clogged. It is located near the pump. To solve the problem you need to clean it. After this, dry it, install it in place and test the operation.
- Weak or inactive contact This may be due to poor quality assembly of the device or a manufacturing defect. Contact a service center or specialist.
- Emergency power outage. The lights were suddenly turned off or the device was not turned off correctly. You need to wait until the intelligent system turns off and only then pull the plug from the socket. The evaporator is still cold and dripping condensation, but the pump continues to work.
The pump requires careful handling, like any part that operates under voltage. Pre-install residual current device - RCD, if there are frequent power outages in your area.
Reason No. 3 - icing of the drainage tube
In cold weather, the drainage tube freezes. This happens if the air conditioner is turned on at sub-zero temperatures outside the window, and the condensate coming out of the cabin becomes ice and clogs it. Or because of the large difference between day and night temperatures: minus at night, and zero or plus during the day.
Reason No. 4 - poor quality installation
Unfortunately, not all installers can carry out split system installation Right. Sometimes the consequence of such work is a floating air conditioner.
This can include many errors.The wrong angle for drilling and installing the drainage tube was chosen, without taking into account gravity, which causes air pockets in the tube that interfere with the normal flow of condensate.
A drainage pipe collapse occurs because low-quality materials were used or the work was carried out in a hurry. For example, instead of special drainage pipes, electric corrugations are installed, which crumble after a few months.
Non-professional work near the indoor air conditioner unit inside the apartment. For example, when you need to lower the ceiling. During the renovation period, not many people will want to allocate additional funds for the work of air conditioners. Therefore, problems will inevitably arise with the location of the system and the removal of condensate.
Due to poor-quality rolling, freon leaked and, as a result, the heat exchanger froze.
The pipes that secure the freon tubes are loosely twisted and therefore the liquid drips onto the floor rather than being discharged. They should be tightened with a wrench, having previously been lubricated with sealing paste (sealant). In such a situation, the main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise you risk breaking the thread and damaging or even breaking the part, and such a repair will definitely cost a pretty penny.
Unprofessional thermal insulation of freon pipes, which is located under the indoor unit of the split system. A breakdown of this kind occurs due to haste or inexperience of the craftsmen.
Reason #5 - clogged filters
Filters ensure clean and fresh cooled air and also protect the system from contaminants.
For quality cleaning, you can use the services of specialists or do it yourself. Knowing the main causes of drips in a split system, you will choose the right method to combat it.
Options for solving the problem
As soon as you notice that water has started to flow, immediately disconnect it from the power supply. You can clean the drainage tube yourself. To begin, take a medium-thick wire and make a small hook. Then carefully insert it into the drainage tube and push it forward with rotational movements.
From time to time, take it out and clean it. If you feel that the wire is resting against something, then the reason is a blockage. Thanks to the pre-formed hook, you can easily reach any midge. In addition, you should clean the condensate tank, bath, and filters from bacterial contamination using special products.
If there is icing, you should wait until the ice melts on its own. Then contact the master. After such an express cleaning, you can also carry out a general cleaning.
To do this, you need to disassemble the indoor unit. Using a screwdriver, remove the drain pan, then attach a high-pressure washer (water hose) to the drain pipe and rinse for 5-10 minutes.If you find that the problem is due to unprofessional installation, then you should call specialists.
To prevent breakdowns, you should regularly carry out technical cleaning of the air conditioner, which consists of washing the filters and drain pipe. In warm weather, climate control equipment must be cleaned once every 2 weeks. From time to time you should check the condensation level of the split system.
Now you know, if water flows into the apartment from the split system, you should immediately disconnect the device from the power supply. Then you need to check the condition of the air conditioner. And if, after all our recommendations, water is still dripping, then immediately call a specialist.
Advice from experienced professionals
The most important thing is to keep the warranty card for the air conditioner; it will help to avoid misunderstandings that arise during the warranty period. Order installation only from installers accredited by the manufacturer, and also adhere to simple rules for operating split systems.
Before turning on, after a long break (especially after winter), clean the drainage hose, rinse and dry the condensate container. Open the top cover of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.
Wash the filter with a special antibacterial agent and dry it. Carefully inspect and wipe off dust from all visible parts of the device.
Don't forget to perform preventive cleanings as often as possible. If the split system still leaks, you should call a specialist to carry out diagnostics.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Tips from experts in their field will help you cope with dripping air conditioner:
An example of how to clean a condensate tray and drain hose. The author shows step by step how to clean the hose, as well as the types of possible contamination:
If you find that water is pouring from the climate control equipment, then do not panic. Use our recommendations and check everything carefully.
It is important for every split system owner not to forget about regular cleaning of the main components: drainage, filters, condensate container, etc., and try to keep the equipment clean.
Would you like to tell us about how you got rid of a split-system leak with your own hands, or about what the experts you called did? Do you have valuable technological information on the topic of this article? Please write comments in the block below, post photos, ask questions.
We had such a problem with the air conditioner when the water stopped coming out into the street, but flowed directly along the walls. The problem turned out to be not as complicated as I thought, the pipe from which water drains was simply clogged and the container was overfilled. So all that was needed was to clean it. But, of course, I had to tinker, so if you are afraid to unscrew the block yourself, then it is better to call a specialist.
Last year, I also had water dripping from my indoor unit and wanted to call a repairman. I figured it out myself. It turned out that the water drainage tube had moved out of its place, either the birds had damaged the tube’s fastening, or it had shifted over time.The tube was not inclined downward, but in one place a sag formed, in which, apparently, a plug appeared. I lifted the slack and a lot of water immediately flowed out of the tube. I corrected the position of the tube by installing another fastener and the problem was solved. The air conditioner has not leaked since then.
There is also this problem - the installers installed foam thermal insulation on the pipes leading to the external unit, but did not install a protective box. Birds in some places pecked at this insulation. Will the lack of this thermal insulation in some places lead to the breakdown of the air conditioner?
Good afternoon, Irina. Usually, interblock communications are combined by wrapping them with a special fabric. If it is visible under the foam pecked by birds and is intact, then there is nothing to worry about. If the birds begin to destroy it too, then you need to install a protective box.
The structure of the connecting tubes themselves is shown in the attached screenshot. There you can clearly see that under the outer protective layer there is thermal insulation of the tubes. Make sure these materials are intact.