AC and swamp cooler leak water damage in Tucson
Tucson air conditioners run for months, and every hour they produce condensate. When a drain line clogs or a pan rusts through, that water goes into the ceiling, a closet or the attic. Evaporative coolers add another source: a stuck float or cracked line on the roof.
Common sources
- Clogged condensate drain lines, usually from algae or debris.
- Rusted or cracked drain pans under attic air handlers.
- Failed condensate pumps.
- Swamp cooler float valves that stick open and overflow.
- Cooler supply lines and roof penetrations that crack in the sun.
Spotting it early
Look for brown rings on the ceiling below an attic unit or near the cooler duct, water around the indoor unit in a closet, or a musty smell when the system kicks on. Turn off the system and call. Leaving a wet air handler running can spread moisture and mold spores through the ducts.
Questions people ask
Should I call an HVAC company or a water damage company?
Both. The HVAC tech fixes the drain or pan, and the water damage crew dries the ceiling, insulation and anything below it.
Is condensate water dirty?
It starts clean, but water sitting in a pan or ceiling for days grows bacteria and mold quickly in a hot attic.