Your air conditioner may break down from a bad compressor or a faulty fan, but those are expected. Common, even. Sometimes you run into specific circumstances that you often don’t see coming, because how could you?
Whether these situations are uncommon or not is neither here nor there. They happen, so it’s best that you know about them ahead of time so you can look out for odd problems that require AC repair in Gaithersburg, MD.
Rodents Eating Your Ductwork
Your ductwork can be fragile, especially when critters chew their way through it. The last thing you want is a bunch of rodents gnawing through your ductwork, but truth be told, even a single rodent can be a big cause for concern.
An air conditioner may seem like it’s underperforming despite it being completely fine. Even if it works great, chewed-through ductwork can impair its performance enough to plummet your energy efficiency.
AC Cabinet Legitimately Sinking Into the Ground
You know that stone slab that your air conditioner rests on beside your home? That’s not just because it looks good—it’s there for a reason. It’s a foundation.
A foundation helps keep your cabinet level, meaning every component operates without extra resistance from gravity (such as if your cabinet was tilted 10 degrees in one direction). Beyond that, it helps maintain proper airflow.
However, a concrete foundation can sink into the ground over time. If it’s shifting, it may cause problems such as pooling drain water inside your AC cabinet instead of it flowing through the tube and away from your home.
Damage by Exterior Water Leaks
Your air conditioner sends condensation through the drainage line, so let’s say that’s working perfectly and it isn’t a cause for concern right now. But there’s other forces at play.
If you have a water leak near your air intake valve, it could be sucking in excess humidity, especially if it finds a way into the intake duct. It can cause issues such as:
- Mold Growth: Mold can spawn in your ducts if there’s too much moisture and it isn’t able to catch it all. Humidity in the air is one thing, but pooling water in your air intake is another.
- Electrical Damage: If the water leak is serious, it can spread to electrical components of your air conditioner and cause permanent damage.
- Instability: Water damage is no joke. It can rack up five figures pretty quickly, so it’s important to prevent this at all costs. It can also create bigger problems for your air conditioner depending on the source.
It’s Unlikely, But Not Impossible
There’s a chance that you could run into these repair needs, although they are definitely more on the unlikely side. Annual maintenance calls act as points of inspection to help you stave-off problems like these. Call us today to get set up with a repair, then we’ll help you get a maintenance plan in order to keep your air conditioner in top form throughout every year.
Contact Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing today to schedule your air conditioner repair as soon as possible.