AC Leak advice

[streetglider]

I have water leaking from my furnace and suspect it has something to do with the dehumidifier. It is leaking from an odd place to me and I am not sure where to start to fix it. I did clean the condensate hose and made sure the pump is working but the leak is much higher on the furnace. The furnace was installed a good distance from the floor drain so the hose goes up to the ceiling then runs about 20 feet to the drain but it has normally worked okay. I attached some pictures and would appreciate any advice. TIA

 

[Terry D]

Check for a clogged condensate drain or you pan under the evaporator may be rusted out

 

[streetglider]

I checked the drain and it seems to be working. The leak seems to originate much higher in the furnace.

 

[Terry D]

The evaporator is inside your plenum above the furnace. There is also a pan in there that the water drips into. The drain can be clogged right at the pan or the pan can be rotted out. If you have a small air compressor, try a little air going backwards in the hose. Or try blowing on it. With the evaporater being in the plenum, it can be a pita sometimes to take a side off to look in there

Your dehumidifier is in the return air duct. It would not be causing any water to leak above the furnace unless the drain is clogged and backing up in the pan

 

[Rudyjr]

Check for a clogged condensate drain or you pan under the evaporator may be rusted out

This is exactly how mine looked, checked the drain and it was all good. Opened the back of the plenum and the pan had a hole rusted in it and was leaking. I was able to unbolt the metal pan and get it out and was able to replace it. Not too sure that would even be possible on the newer a coils the way they are made now and most if not all are a plastic material.

 

[streetglider]

Thanks, I didn't know about the evaporator but thought there had to be something in there leaking. I will get my compressor and let you know what I find.

 

[bonneyman]

This is exactly how mine looked, checked the drain and it was all good. Opened the back of the plenum and the pan had a hole rusted in it and was leaking. I was able to unbolt the metal pan and get it out and was able to replace it. Not too sure that would even be possible on the newer a coils the way they are made now and most if not all are a plastic material.

And the plastic pans are really susceptible to overheating and deforming. Being right on top of the furnace, any condition that might lead to overheating (dirty filter, partially clogged coil, dirty blower wheel, etc.) can overheat the pan and I've seen them soften and warp to the point that they leak water. Something to consider.

(This was on late 90's early 2000's units so maybe they've changed the material).

 

[Terry D]

Thanks, I didn't know about the evaporator but thought there had to be something in there leaking. I will get my compressor and let you know what I find.

I looked at the pictures again, make sure you block the vent with your hand on the drain when shooting air in there so all the pressure goes all the way to the pan. And Im talking about the section of drain before your condensate pump. I also notice that there are no unions installed in the drain for easy removal to clean. You might want to consider installing some for the future, I would put one right below the tee coming out of the evaporator and in the section of pipe by the dehumidifier. That way you could remove the pipe and screw out the fitting in the pan if needed

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