You've probably noticed how you feel hotter outdoors when the humidity is high. It's not your imagination. You feel cooler when the humidity is lower, and that's one of the benefits of a central air conditioning unit — it pulls humidity from the air in your home.

An AC unit removes humidity through condensation, and all that water has to go somewhere, so your AC has a drainage system that is made up of a collection pan and drain. If the pan is damaged, water can spill inside the AC or on the floor rather than draining away like it should. Here are signs of a bad drain pan and what an AC repair technician might do to stop a leak.

Signs Of A Leaky Drain Pan

If the pan develops a hole due to rust or a crack due to aging of plastic, the pan won't hold water. Instead, water will escape in drips or streams depending on the size of the leak. A drip might take longer to cause extensive damage, but eventually the dampness around your AC may cause mold to grow and a musty odor to develop.

The water can also spill on your floor and cause water damage. If the AC is in your attic, the water can run down the walls and cause water damage in the living space below. Plus, the water can harm your AC equipment and lead to corrosion.

Where Drain Pans Are Located

Depending on the type of equipment you have and how it's installed, your AC might have two pans. One is part of the evaporator coils and is right underneath the coils. This pan is not made to be removed. The other pan fits under the air handler. As long as there is enough room to access this pan, it can be removed and replaced.

Repairs The AC Repair Technician Might Make

Drain pans are made of galvanized steel or plastic. Both should last for years, but they can slowly deteriorate and develop leaks. Galvanized steel pans might rust and crack. Plastic pans can crack, especially if they get dried out in the winter when the furnace is running.

The type of repairs depends on what the pans are made of. In the case of a steel pan that can't be removed, the AC repair technician might use a wire brush to get rid of the rust and then apply a rust inhibitor to keep the rust from spreading.

The hole or crack can then be sealed using a suitable material. The technician may first need to clean and dry the pan thoroughly so the sealant adheres well and has a long life.

A plastic drain pan can also be sealed in the same way. However, in the case of a bottom pan that is damaged, the repair technician may replace the pan with a new one to ensure leaks won't develop again any time soon.

Contact a company like IMS Heating & Air Inc to learn more.