There are certain places you expect to find dripping water in your home. The air conditioning vents are probably not one of those expected places. But there are a few reasons that can cause water to build up within your air ducts, which can result in either dripping or an outright flood from the ducts.

Leaking Condensate Pump

The air handler inside your home contains a condensate pump or drain that exists to release the natural condensation caused by the cooling process in the evaporator coils. That water is meant to be forced down a drain and out of your home. But a broken or dirty pump or drain can cause a water leak, and that leak can permeate nearby air ducts.

You should be able to tell if this is the problem by checking for excess water around or in the bottom of the air handler. Call in an air conditioner technician to fix the drain or pump so that no more water is released into the duct.

Condensation During Off Season

Your air conditioning system is designed to remove excess condensate from the air as it circulates through the ducts and through your home. When you switch over to frequent heat use during the winter, a similar process takes place and keeps water from accumulating.

But there are those key off-season months where you don't run your unit much if at all. Those ducts are no longer moving forced air. but regular air is still moving through. And that regular air still contains condensate, which is now not removed by a running system. Over time, or in times of unusual humidity, this condensate can accumulate in the ducts and cause water drips or buildup, which can lead to mold.

You can minimize the risks of this problem by at least running your unit's fan regularly during the off season. The forced air from the fan will help keep water from accumulating.

Nearby Plumbing Leak

If the water coming out of your ducts is persistent or high in volume, there could be a plumbing leak somewhere that's penetrating the ducts. One way to test this theory is to turn off the main water valve and wait. If the water slows or stops, you need to call a plumber. If the water keeps coming, you might want to call a plumber and an air conditioning technician. You should seek professional assistance for duct leaks because there could be nearby electrical wiring that poses a risk to both you and your home.

For more information, contact JPS Home Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd Heating repair service or a similar company.

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