Ceiling Drip from Pipe Condensation — Years of Buildup Finally Surfaced
- thesnowflakesg
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
What Was Happening
Customer reported:
Water dripping from the ceiling aircon cover
Brownish stains forming near one ducted outlet
No cooling issue — aircon still worked fine
No previous inspection had been done above the ceiling since installation.
What We Found
Condensation Buildup on Pipe
Cold suction pipe had visible biofilm and slime growth, forming along the lower edge
Pipe insulation had degraded, exposing cold metal to humid air
Moisture from regular condensation trickled slowly over time, picking up dust and forming microbial sludge
This slime eventually dripped onto the ceiling return cover, causing water stains
No drain choke. No pan overflow.
The issue came from pipe surface moisture allowed to accumulate over years.
What We Did
Removed ceiling cover for full inspection
Cleaned and disinfected the affected pipe section and ceiling casing
Rewrapped suction pipe with fresh, closed-cell insulation
Treated surrounding zone to eliminate biofilm residue
Verified no drain or coil fault present
The Result
Ceiling drip eliminated
Pipe now fully insulated to stop future condensation
Customer shown before/after images of hidden buildup
No unnecessary drain cleaning or part replacements — only what was needed
What Could’ve Gone Wrong
Continued dripping could damage ceiling board, lighting, or ducts
Biofilm would continue growing — leading to wider spread and possible smell
Misdiagnosis (e.g. drain flush or pan change) would solve nothing
Indoor air quality would degrade silently over time
What This Case Shows
Cooling isn’t the only thing that matters.
If your suction pipe insulation has never been checked, this kind of drip can surface after years of quiet buildup — far from the drain, deep above the ceiling.