Home » Some of Our Service Calls in Greater Montreal » LG wall-mounted heat pump repair in Ville-Marie (Montreal): unit above a door, water leak and reduced performance
Réparation d’une thermopompe murale LG à Ville-Marie (Montréal) : unité au-dessus d’une porte, fuite d’eau et baisse de performance
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LG wall-mounted heat pump repair in Ville-Marie (Montreal): unit above a door, water leak and reduced performance

In a condo in Ville-Marie , our AirGreen technicians were called out for a common but rarely straightforward issue: an LG wall-mounted heat pump installed above a door frame in a narrow passageway, which was starting to leak and cool less efficiently . On paper, it looks like “just a cleaning.” On site, the location (height, access, drain slope, airflow) quickly transforms it into a full diagnostic.

The client's objective was clear: to restore consistent comfort, eliminate dripping water, and stop irregular cycles. For our part, we also wanted to restore the appliance's efficiency, because a wall-mounted unit that is unnecessarily strained consumes more energy, wears out faster, and ultimately leads to repeated breakdowns.

What we see on the installation (and why it matters)

The photo shows an LG mini-split indoor unit (wall-mounted heat pump) installed very high, just below the ceiling , and centered above a door . This is a common configuration in condos: the aim is to free up wall space and avoid taking up too much room.

Some important details:

  • Limited ceiling clearance : when the wall unit is too close to the ceiling, top air intake may be less effective if dirt builds up.

  • Position above a passageway : cold air naturally falls; if there are doors that open/close often, this can create turbulence and an uneven feeling of comfort.

  • More difficult maintenance access : cleaning, inspection of the condensate tray and the drain require more precautions (protection of the moldings, the door frame, and the floor).

  • Critical drainage : in this type of location, a small slope defect or the beginning of an obstruction quickly results in a visible leak .

Machine type and model (LG consistency)

  • Type : Wall-mounted heat pump (mini-split / wall unit)

  • Brand (truth provided) : LG

  • Model (not legible in the photo) : LG wall-mounted residential range unit, Dual Inverter type (a very widespread range and consistent with this indoor head format).
    Without a visible nameplate, we remain deliberately cautious: at LG, several series look alike externally, and it is the technical data sheet (or the model number on the label) that allows us to be 100% precise.

Symptoms reported by the customer

The client described three elements:

  1. Occasional water droplets at the bottom of the unit, especially during periods of high air conditioning.

  2. Reduced airflow (air was coming out, but “less strongly than before”).

  3. Unstable comfort : the room reached the desired temperature more slowly, giving the impression that the device was “working hard”.

These symptoms, taken together, often point to a classic combination: fouling + compromised condensate drainage . But it's important to check, because a water leak can also mask other causes (frost, poor heat exchange, a clogged fan, or a poorly connected drain).

Our AirGreen diagnostic: method and checks

1) Visual inspection and securing of the area

Before opening the unit, we protected the door frame and surfaces (very important in a condo). Then:

  • checking the unit's level (an incorrectly adjusted tilt can prevent water from flowing to the correct location);

  • inspection of the condensate tray (presence of stagnant water, signs of overflow);

  • checking the filters and the general condition of the evaporator.

2) Check the drainage system (the #1 cause of leaks)

On a wall, water must drain away constantly through the drain. In this case, we observed:

  • an initial accumulation at the level of the tray;

  • a slow and irregular flow in the condensate line.

The typical scenario: fine dust, biofilm, sometimes micro-debris, which form a sludge. When the unit is installed high and the slope is not “perfect”, the slightest obstruction triggers an overflow.

3) Targeted cleaning and heat exchange control

Next, we checked the elements that directly impact performance:

  • coil (evaporator) : clogged → less heat exchange → less efficient cycles;

  • turbine/fan wheel : if it is dirty, the flow rate drops, the noise may increase and the humidity is less well managed;

  • Sensors (ambient temperature / evaporator): an incorrect reading can cause bizarre cycles.

4) Technical checks (to avoid a “cosmetic repair”)

A water leak can sometimes originate from the beginning of icing (the heat exchanger is too cold), itself caused by insufficient airflow… or by some other problem. Therefore, we have:

  • validated the behavior in operation;

  • confirmed that cooling returned to normal once air circulation was restored;

  • checked for any obvious signs of refrigeration problems (oil smell, suspicious traces, inconsistent operation).

The repair steps carried out

Step 1 — Complete cleaning (not just the filters)

We carried out a thorough cleaning:

  • Filter cleaning (and maintenance recommendations adapted to the condo lifestyle);

  • cleaning the coil with an appropriate product;

  • Controlled rinsing to avoid sending residues into the tank.

Step 2 — Unblocking and purging the condensate drain

This is the decisive step in this case:

  • removal of the obstruction (biofilm and deposits);

  • purging the pipe to restore a smooth flow;

  • flow test with validation of the water path.

Step 3 — Cleaning the turbine and air outlets

Low airflow cannot be addressed solely with filters. Therefore, we have also addressed:

  • the turbine (often the first thing responsible for “air coming out less strongly”);

  • the shutters and grilles , where dust accumulates.

Step 4 — Recommissioning and performance testing

After reassembly:

  • test in air conditioning and stabilization mode;

  • checking that there are no more drops , even after a period of continuous operation;

  • Qualitative measurement of flow rate: significantly improved flow sensation, more stable noise, more consistent cycles.

Results: restored comfort, and less strain on the device

At the end of the intervention, the client immediately noticed:

  • complete stoppage of the water leak ;

  • increased airflow (the mural was “breathing” again);

  • Faster and more stable cooling .

For us, the key point lies elsewhere: by restoring normal heat exchange and proper drainage, we reduce the likelihood of seeing the same symptoms again in 2–3 weeks. An LG wall-mounted heat pump, when clean and well-drained, is designed to provide excellent comfort… provided the system isn't allowed to slowly shut down.

Why this failure often occurs in capacitors (and how to avoid it)

In Ville-Marie (and more broadly in condos across Greater Montreal), one frequently sees:

  • more fine dust (traffic, textiles, ventilation);

  • units installed very high, sometimes with minimalist drain slopes ;

  • prolonged air conditioning cycles in the summer → more condensation → the drain is under more stress.

Our simple recommendations:

  • clean/vacuum the filters regularly;

  • avoid leaving the unit running for months without maintenance if it is used intensively;

  • Perform periodic full maintenance (including drain + turbine), especially when the unit is located above a door or in a hard-to-reach area.

AirGreen Conclusion

This repair in Ville-Marie perfectly illustrates our approach: we don't just "make the water disappear." We identify the cause, restore the LG unit to efficient working order, and ensure the customer enjoys lasting, quiet, and reliable comfort.