Heat waves are a fact of life in the valley; the city opens a cooling center at the Community Center when 90 degree days are forecast. During those stretches air conditioners pull gallons of water out of indoor air every day. If the condensate drain clogs with algae or the drain pan cracks, that water has to go somewhere.
Closet units and attic units
In a hall closet, overflow runs across the slab and under the walls into the hallway and bedrooms. In an attic, it fills the secondary pan, then soaks the insulation and comes through the ceiling. The crew checks both above and below the unit with meters and a thermal camera.
Condensate is not always clean
Condensate starts as clean water, but a drain full of algae and dust can make it Category 2. Wet carpet pad and insulation that soaked in it usually come out. Drywall and framing are dried with air movers and an LGR dehumidifier and logged daily.
