|
Post by daw on Jul 5, 2022 11:45:58 GMT
I bought this house with the money from the house I sold. I was aware it had some problems which I fixed. But the roof is a different story. The area around the swamp cooler had leaked before I came and been "repaired " inside. But the cause was not. Owner said he would pay. But nevermind that as what he said wrote means nothing. It leaked again last night and it was not from rain. It came from the swamp cooler. I did not turn it off last night . First time it ran all night. And I had to mop the floor. It quit leaking when I turned off the SC. So I would appreciate if someone could tell me where to look for the problem.
|
|
|
Post by kkbcc on Jul 5, 2022 14:06:43 GMT
I suspect the overflow drain or hose is leaky and the fill float is set a smidge too high(controlled by bending the wire arm). To test turn the fan off and the pump on for a few minutes to let the pads saturate. Then turn the pump off, letting the pads drain, and see if you can find the leak. It sounds like your so close to over filling that when it cycles cooling the pads drain causing an overflow, and the overflow leaks.
Second thing to check is if your saturating the pads too fast. On the hose that goes from the water pump to the spider there should be a clamp restrictor that controls the water flow. Too much water can cause the pad frames to overflow making water leak around the frame edges, too little water and it won't cool well. Also be sure the weep holes in the pad frames, top and bottom, are not clogged.
|
|
|
Post by daw on Jul 5, 2022 16:54:52 GMT
Just had the pads replaced. I am guessing this was a problem before and that the SC was left on 24 /7. Does this still follow with what you said?
|
|
|
Post by kkbcc on Jul 5, 2022 17:16:21 GMT
Yep. I don't think your pads have anything to do with your leak. Being on 24/7 would alternately saturate and drain your pads as your thermostat intermittently calls for cooling. Saturating your pads lowers the water level so your float will let more water in. If the water level is too high then when the pads drain it could cause the water level to rise above the overflow tube to be drained away, probably via a hose to your roof.
From my window rattler, same principles apply to a roof top.
My water level is about half way up the overflow tube:
Bend in float arm sets water level:
The flow clamp up by the spider. I have a direct blower motor, you might have a belt driven blower - doesn't make a difference as far as your leak is concerned.:
|
|
|
Post by kkbcc on Jul 5, 2022 17:38:28 GMT
Weep holes at top of pad frame, spreads water across the pad:
|
|
|
Post by daw on Jul 6, 2022 1:26:54 GMT
The black plastic line was replaced with copper. These new pads do not require as much water, seem to retain it instead of it flowing through the pads.
The reason I said it is an on going problem is because of what I know happened before I bought it. The ceiling fell in with the water damage.only under the swamp cooler. It has something to do with running the swamp cooler at night. It does not rain much here ...we are in a major drought.
I do appreciate your help.
|
|
|
Post by daw on Jul 6, 2022 16:05:42 GMT
Talked to the repair man this morning. He said the water had to come from an overflowing tray. He said he had checked the tray for cracks...I thought he had. I told him more about the past before I came and that someone had messed with it and put the pads in backwards. He knew that but now he is going to go over the entire unit with an even finer tooth comb. daw, kkbcc, Really there are some .....loose nuts in this state
|
|
|
Post by sawmilljim on Jul 6, 2022 16:22:27 GMT
Talked to the repair man this morning. He said the water had to come from an overflowing tray. He said he had checked the tray for cracks...I thought he had. I told him more about the past before I came and that someone had messed with it and put the pads in backwards. He knew that but now he is going to go over the entire unit with an even finer tooth comb. daw, kkbcc, Really there are some .....loose nuts in this state Trust me you don’t have the market cornered on loose nuts !
|
|
|
Post by daw on Aug 2, 2022 20:20:12 GMT
So my repairman came out today. Looked at the pictures of the wet ceiling. And got very concerned...he will be back Friday morning and get under the cooler in the attic . Then maybe we will know why it leaks at night.
|
|
|
Post by themotherhen on Aug 3, 2022 5:25:28 GMT
daw, hope you can get it figured out soon. Repairs can be expensive.
|
|
|
Post by joebill on Aug 18, 2022 18:42:32 GMT
?...Joe
|
|
|
Post by daw on Aug 18, 2022 20:52:24 GMT
I am wondering about getting new one. My plumber has disappeared. How much crack can a person brake?
|
|
|
Post by sawmilljim on Aug 18, 2022 22:30:21 GMT
I know one part of the the world has no idea idea how the other half lives. Far as I know there are no swamp cooler’s in this part of it. Wouldn’t a regular ac system be much better ? Especially if installing new ?
|
|
|
Post by kkbcc on Aug 18, 2022 22:43:25 GMT
Swamp coolers draw about a third of the power of AC. Repairs tend to be a lot less too.
Drawback to them is they loose a lot of efficiency/cooling if ambient humidity is above 30%.
|
|
|
Post by daw on Aug 18, 2022 23:49:58 GMT
ACs run about $300 a month here. My total bill with the swamp cooler is about $38-42 monthly. If I use fans it is $10- 12 higher.
|
|