Common Causes of Commercial and Industrial HVAC Leaks

28 January 2021

Owners of commercial and industrial buildings must utilise heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to ensure that all people inside these properties would benefit from the improved air quality around rooms and spaces. After all, these systems work by regulating the flow of air, heat, and ventilation as well as reducing the humidity of properties and buildings.

Aside from the occupants inside these buildings, different types of equipment, furniture pieces, and others can also benefit from HVAC systems. Since these systems can regulate all the previously mentioned elements, most equipment, furniture pieces, and others are expected to operate much longer.

One issue, however, that often affects HVAC systems is water leaks. Some of the most common causes of HVAC leaks are as follows.

Congested Drain Line

One of the notable causes of HVAC leaks is the clogging of the drain line. As the drain pipes become congested with dirt, dust, and other types of debris, they would eventually cause the drain pan to overflow. With the continuous congestion of these specific parts, the condensed moisture on these areas will have no choice but to accumulate within the duct system and around the vent. Ultimately, the water will just drip out and leak as it cannot go anywhere.

Faulty Condensate Pumps

The water and moisture on some parts of the HVAC systems are normally developed through the dehumidification and condensation processes of the systems’ components. And with the help of the condensate drain pump, the water build-up from these systems is normally removed to avoid any unwanted damages and issues. However, if this specific drain pump becomes faulty, then the water will just accumulate on these systems and consequently overflow.

Poor Insulation Works

The ductwork on the HVAC systems must be insulated so that the air inside will stay at the desired temperature. The interaction between the air inside the ductwork and the ambient air will also be minimised with effective insulation. So, once the insulation on the ductwork fails due to improper setup, then expect the air inside the ductwork to be affected tremendously by the temperature outside. Condensation inside the ductwork is expected with poor insulation, which will then turn into water leaks.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

There are two possible reasons behind a frozen evaporator coil. Firstly, an HVAC system that has low levels of refrigerant can freeze up the evaporator coil. As the warm air moves through the system, it can easily initiate the condensation process within the evaporator coil and freeze it up as time passes by. Once the HVAC system is turned off, the ice on the evaporator coil will melt and cause leaks. Another possible reason behind a frozen evaporator coil would be a clogged air filter. Once the air filter blocks the airflow, the system will have some difficulties in terms of ventilation, causing the evaporator coil to freeze.

Given the importance of HVAC systems, commercial and industrial building owners should identify the main cause of the leaks quickly and have them resolved right away to avoid more inconvenience. If your HVAC systems need some maintenance, then feel free to call us at Jamair Mechanical Services.

 

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