What To Do About a Sinking Air Conditioner Pad

Your HVAC system is one of the most important parts of your home. It’s also one of the more expensive things to deal with when something goes wrong. Replacing a central air system can cost tens of thousands of dollars, so it is very much worth your time to maintain and service the unit properly. One potential issue with air conditioners that isn’t as obvious is dealing with a sinking pad under the unit where it sits outside your house.

The concrete pads under air conditioner and heat exchanger units tend to settle over the years. As long as there’s no strain on the copper coolant tubes and electrical lines, and the unit stays dry and level, it’s OK that the air conditioning concrete pad has sunk. But if the concrete air conditioning pad continues to sink and pulls the lines tight, or if water puddles around the unit, you’ll need to take action.

It’s important to address the issue. A sinking, uneven pad can cause additional strain on your unit because of the extra vibration. A sinking pad can also lead to broken pipes and tubes as well as water pooling up because it can’t drain properly. As with most repairs, you want to address this issue as soon as possible, before it gets worse and leads to bigger problems.

How To Fix a Sinking Air Conditioner Pad

Try working a long board under one end of the concrete air conditioning pad, lifting it up, then packing sand under it. Do the same on the other end of the concrete air conditioning pad, making the pad as level as possible. Lift the concrete air conditioning pad slowly to avoid cracking it.

You shouldn’t need to unhook or remove the condenser unit, but if you do, it might be time to call for pro help.

When To Call a Pro

If the concrete pad breaks apart, you’ll probably have to disconnect the unit. If that’s the case, I would recommend calling a professional HVAC technician to disconnect it for you.

If you’re comfortable working with concrete, you can finish breaking up the pad and remove it. Then, install a new leveled-in one. Consider replacing it with a plastic pad. They’re available where air conditioners are sold and online.

Another option is to hire concrete professionals to build a new pad for you. They can make sure that it stays level for years to come.