Evaporator Coil Repair & Replacement in Rancho Cordova

Serving Sacramento Since 1981

Frozen coil? Leaking refrigerant? We repair or replace evaporator coils—and tell you which one makes sense.

• Diagnosis & Repair
• Coil Replacement
• No Overtime Charges
• Licensed Since '81 (#401802)

Seeing 2+ of these signs? Don't wait—call us now.

Evaporator Coil Problems?

The evaporator coil is where your AC actually makes cold air. When it fails—frozen, leaking, clogged—nothing works right.

Your evaporator coil sits inside, usually in the attic or a closet. Refrigerant flows through it, air blows across it, and that's how you get cold air. It's also one of the most common failure points in any AC system.

What goes wrong:

• Frozen coils: Ice building up on the coil. Usually means low refrigerant (leak), bad airflow (dirty filter, failed blower), or a metering device problem. The ice itself isn't the problem—it's a symptom.
• Refrigerant leaks: Evaporator coils are notorious for developing pinhole leaks from formicary corrosion. Household chemicals, off-gassing from flooring and furniture, even cleaning products can cause it. Your system slowly loses charge, performance drops, and you're adding refrigerant every year.
• Dirty coils: Dust, pet hair, and debris coat the coil over time, reducing efficiency and airflow. Sometimes cleaning solves it. Sometimes the coil is too far gone.
• Physical damage: Crimped fins, damaged tubes from rough handling or rodents, corrosion from moisture exposure.
• The repair vs. replace question: If your coil has one small leak, we can often repair it. If it's got multiple pinhole leaks from corrosion, the whole coil is failing—repair one spot and another opens up next month.We'll show you the coil condition and give you honest options.

Spot the Warning Signs

• Ice on Indoor Unit or Lines
• AC Running But Not Cooling
• Refrigerant Added Repeatedly
• Musty Smell from Vents

Our 4-Step Solution Process

Transparent, effective, guaranteed results

Diagnosis

We inspect the coil, check for leaks, and figure out what's actually causing the problem.

Coil problems can look like other problems. AC not cooling could be the coil, could be low refrigerant, could be a dozen other things.We check: coil condition (visual inspection for damage, corrosion, dirt buildup), refrigerant pressures, airflow across the coil, metering device operation.If we suspect a leak, we do proper leak detection—electronic sniffers, UV dye if needed. We find where it's leaking, not just that it's leaking.Then we give you a clear picture of what's wrong and what your options are.

Cleaning or Repair

If cleaning or minor repair makes sense, we handle it properly.

Sometimes the coil just needs cleaning.Proper coil cleaning: Chemical cleaner, rinse, verify drainage is working. We do it carefully—evaporator coils have delicate fins that bend easily.Minor repairs: Small leaks in accessible spots can sometimes be brazed. Single tube damage can be isolated and repaired. We'll tell you if this makes sense for your situation.The honest answer: If your coil is corroded throughout, repairing one leak just means another one shows up soon. We'll tell you when repair is throwing good money after bad.

Coil Replacement

When replacement is the answer, we match the coil to your system and install it right.

Coil replacement is a real job. The coil has to match your system—tonnage, refrigerant type, airflow direction, physical dimensions.We source the right coil for your system. Remove the old one. Install the new one with proper connections. Pull a deep vacuum to remove moisture. Charge the system to spec.Coil replacement often makes sense when: multiple leaks from corrosion, coil is 15+ years old, system uses R-22 and you're already looking at expensive refrigerant.If you're replacing a coil on an old system, we'll talk about whether replacing the whole system makes more sense. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. Your call.

Testing & Verification

We run the system, verify performance, and make sure you're cooling properly.

After any coil work—cleaning, repair, or replacement—we verify it's working.We run the system, check temperature drop across the coil, verify refrigerant pressures, confirm no leaks at new connections.You should feel the difference. Colder air, better airflow, a system that actually cycles off instead of running constantly.We clean up our mess and haul away the old equipment if we replaced it. You get documentation of what we did and what's covered.

Why Choose JR Putman Plumbing, Heating & Air

• Proper Diagnosis - We find the real problem, not just the symptom.
• Honest Options - Repair if it makes sense. Replace if it doesn't. No games.
• Matched Equipment - Right coil for your system. Not whatever's on the truck.
• Done Right - Vacuum, leak test, proper charge. No shortcuts.

FAQs About Evaporator Coils in Rancho Cordova

What Does an Evaporator Coil Do?

The evaporator coil sits inside your air handler and absorbs heat from your home's air. Refrigerant flowing through the coil gets cold; your blower pushes warm air across it; the air gets cooled and circulated back into your home.

How Do I Know if My Evaporator Coil Is Bad?

Signs include: AC not cooling effectively, ice forming on the coil, refrigerant leaks, strange odors when the AC runs, or the system short-cycling. If your AC is losing refrigerant repeatedly, the coil is often the source.

How Much Does Evaporator Coil Replacement Cost?

Typically $1,000-$2,500 depending on the coil type, refrigerant, and labor involved. If your system is over 10 years old and needs a coil replacement, we'll help you weigh repair vs. full system replacement.

Can an Evaporator Coil Be Repaired Instead of Replaced?

Sometimes. Small leaks can occasionally be repaired. But coils that have failed from corrosion typically have multiple leak points—fixing one often reveals another. At that point, replacement is the better investment.

How Long Does Evaporator Coil Replacement Take?

Plan on 3-5 hours for most replacements. It involves recovering refrigerant, removing the old coil, installing the new one, pressure testing, and recharging the system.

What Causes Evaporator Coils to Fail?

Corrosion is the biggest killer—certain chemicals in household air (cleaning products, air fresheners) can accelerate it. Dirty filters restrict airflow and cause the coil to freeze repeatedly, which stresses it. Age and normal wear also play roles.

Evaporator Coil Problems? We'll diagnose it and give you honest options.