Water running off your roof from a swamp cooler usually means the pan is overfilling or leaking. The common causes are a stuck or misadjusted float valve letting the pan overflow, a blocked bleed-off backing water up, a rusted-through pan, or a loose water-line fitting. Because roof water can rot decking and stain ceilings, it's worth fixing quickly.
First, shut off the water to the cooler
If water is actively running off the roof, close the water supply valve to the cooler. That stops the overflow immediately and prevents further damage while you arrange a repair. The blower can keep running; it's the water feed you want off.
The usual sources of roof leaks
- Stuck float valve. If the float doesn't shut off, the pan fills past the overflow and spills over the side — the most common cause.
- Clogged bleed-off. A blocked bleed-off line can back water up and cause overflow.
- Rusted or cracked pan. Older steel pans corrode through at the seams and let water onto the roof.
- Loose water-line fitting. A fitting that's worked loose drips under pressure whenever the unit runs.
Why fast action matters in Albuquerque
Flat and low-slope roofs are common here, and standing water from a cooler leak can work under the roofing and into the decking, then show up as a ceiling stain inside. What starts as a cheap float repair can turn into drywall and roof work if it's left running.
Getting the leak traced and sealed
A technician follows the water back to its true source — float, pan, overflow, or line — and fixes that rather than guessing. See swamp cooler leak repair, or call us and shut the water off in the meantime.