Do you want to know why your RV air conditioner leaks when it rains? There are about blank reasons why this situation happens. And we can also teach you the possible ways you can fix it and prevent it from happening again.
Installing an air conditioner in your RV van is convenient, and you can use it for any purpose. For example, it could give you sufficient cool air whenever you go camping or having a road trip with your family.
However, if it continues to leak, it will be useless. What’s worse is that the leaks might decrease your AC’s life span.
So, don’t panic, and we’ll walk you through the possible causes and ways to fix this problem. Read on!
Why RV Air Conditioner Leaks When It Is Raining?
You can prevent this situation by double-checking your unit before going on a road trip or out of the woods. Even though the weather is sunny, it’s best if you’re going to be ready. And you can also prepare some tools and equipment.
We recommend doing a leak test by sprinkling water on top of your outside unit. And wait if it’s going to drip on the inside. However, if you have already encountered this situation, here are the possible causes why your RV air conditioner leaks when it rains.
Cause #1. Loose mounting bolts
These bolts secure your AC in place from the interior side of your van to the gasket. If one of these is loose, then there will be enough space for the water to enter.
The worst-case scenario is that if almost all of them are loose, your AC might fall off from your RV. That would be disastrous since the unit will break into pieces, and the car behind you may be affected.
So, before going on a trip, always check if the bolts are secured. And check your manual since some of them might say that you shouldn’t tighten the bolts, just enough to hold the AC in place. Plus, your unit comes with a compression seal.
Cause #2. Your roof gasket is not water-resistant
The roof gasket is usually attached to the bottom of your unit. And you align it on the hole on your van’s roof. This component seals all the gaps between your AC and the ceiling.
Some materials such as foam allow some amounts of water to penetrate it. So, if you’re traveling under heavy rain, the foam might not be able to hold and prevent all the water from entering. As a result, it would fill the material and eventually enter the interior side of your van, which could cause leaks.
We suggest replacing your gasket with a rubber material or something efficient to keep the water from entering.
Cause #3. RV roof deterioration
If you have leaks and can’t identify the source in your air conditioner or its components, it’s most likely coming from your main roof.
Check if there are any dents or damaged portions. This deterioration might be punctured when someone installed your AC or when you placed heavy things above your van.
The leak test before hitting the road would also work for checking your roof. And you can find a material that could cover it in the meantime because it might take a long for you to have it fixed because of your trip.
Cause #4. Malfunctioning drainage system
Since it’s raining, your AC will absorb more moisture than any other day. So, your drainage system should be ready for the amount of condensation. However, if your drain line is clogged, the water will accumulate in the drain pan and will eventually spill.
The spillage might cause leaks. Therefore, we suggest that when the rain stops and you reached your destination, you check the inside components of your unit. Examine if there is anything stuck in the condensation pump or drain pipe.
Cause #5. Damaged AC components
If the AC components have any holes or cracks, water or other things may seep through. The most common example is the hole in your condensation pan. The cavity will prevent the pan perform its function, which is to hold the water formed from the condensation.
This situation can also happen if the pan is not placed flat on the surface and angled to one side, spilling the water. So, frequently check your AC not just on the outside but all the inside.
Cause #6. Sealed gaps
We have mentioned earlier that the gasket fills in the gaps between your roof and your unit. But there’s a gap in the rigs that we shouldn’t entirely close.
Your AC drains the accumulated condensation automatically or on its own. The gap intended was for the water from the unit to flow outside your AC. So, the water will flow outside and not towards the inner side of the van.
However, if you close the caps with a sealant or any substance, you can prevent the water from flowing. And they will have nowhere to go.
As a result, they will flow back to the AC or towards any remaining gaps and will drip onto you.
Wrapping Up!
And that is why your RV air conditioner leaks when it rains. This situation does not damage your AC unit, but you still need to fix it immediately. Or have a professional examine and mend it.
It would make your AC work more efficiently and have a better life span. Plus, you will likely enjoy your trip without the leaks. Enjoy!