Managing Air Conditioner Condensate Leaks in the Office

The air conditioning process of an A/C unit usually gives off water as a byproduct. Most air conditioners have an inbuilt system to get rid of this water. However, there are times when this inbuilt drainage system falls short when it comes to preventing water spillages.  

Having a pool of water around the office creates risks of injury. It also makes the office an eyesore while also increasing the risks of damage to moisture-sensitive property such as electronics and furniture. The following are tips that will come in handy in helping you to manage condensate leaks in your office.

Level the unit

Air conditioning units have drip pans that collect the condensate. This condensate then drains out of the pan in two ways. It can directly flow out of the pan through a port. Or it can be routed out of the pan through a system of small tubes.

If the unit is tilted, the condensate might have difficulty draining out of the pan through a drainage port or through the tubes. And where the unit relies on a pump to empty the pan, the tilting might interfere with the on-switch mechanism especially given the fact that most pumps rely on water levels when it comes to determining whether they should go on or off.

Leveling the unit will thus ensure that the draining of the condensate occurs properly. Furthermore, you can enhance moisture control in your office by slightly tilting the unit towards the drains in your building.

Unclog the drain port

The condensate in the pan usually leaves through a drainage port. With time, debris may accumulate in this area and thus blocking the condensate's drainage path. If this happens, water in the pan will overflow—something that will cause unwanted leakages.

You can solve this problem by using a toothpick to unclog this port. A long wire can also come in handy in helping you do so without necessarily having to disassemble the whole unit.

Draining the pan

If leveling and unclogging does not work, you should drain the pipe manually. You can do this by connecting a small draining pipe to either the port or the condensate collection pan and then directing the pipe to a floor drain. If the draining pipe proves inefficient, you may then consider connecting it to a condensate pump. The pump will be useful in helping to provide enough force to transport the condensate to a far-off drain location. For assistance, talk to an AC repair professional.

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