Swamp coolers use water-soaked pads and a fan to cool a room's air through evaporation. This means the system is very efficient in dry climates like Albuquerque, but the reservoir also runs the risk of leaking. As water evaporates from your reservoir, it absorbs heat and makes the ambient air cooler. This cool air is then circulated by the fan or your ventilation system. Since water is an essential part of a swamp cooler, you should always check for leaks and make sure there are no condensation or water stains around the cooler.
How do leaks start?
Swamp coolers can leak in a couple of different places.
- Float Valve: Much like the float valve in your toilet, a swamp cooler has a float valve to ensure that the water levels in the reservoir stay low. If this valve cracks or breaks, it can lead to the reservoir overflowing. If your reservoir overflows and water spills into your home, clean up the water as soon as possible to limit further damage.
- Leaking Pads: Pads are designed to be soaked and placed near the fan so the water evaporates. If the pads on your swamp cooler are the wrong size or placed incorrectly, water can get through and drip onto your floor.
- Cracked reservoir: If water is dripping from the bottom of the swamp cooler, and the float valve isn’t the culprit, you likely have a cracked reservoir. If this is the case, drain and replace your reservoir immediately to prevent water damage.
- Loose water lines: The lines that carry water into the swamp cooler are often made of copper. These lines can break or have a loose valve, which can lead to water leaking out.
Some issues, like hard water deposits or scaling, can lead to a faster breakdown of your swamp cooler. Because the copper pipes are susceptible to mineral deposits and corrosion, we recommend keeping an eye on these to make sure they're always working properly. If a leaking swamp cooler has caused water damage or mold damage in your home or office, S.T.O.P. Restoration in Albuquerque, NM can help you out!
Risks of a broken swamp cooler
If your swamp cooler is leaking or dripping, it will likely stop working efficiently. However, decreased performance is not the only issue you'll have to worry about. Other swamp cooler issues can include roof or flooring damage, mold spore growth, mold circulation in the air, and water damage to the area surrounding your swamp cooler. To minimize the risk of significant damage, call S.T.O.P. Restoration at (505) 892-3112 to restore immediately after noticing any kind of mold or water damage.
