Quick answerRefrigerant leak repair in Spokane starts with finding the leak using an electronic detector, bubble solution and, where needed, a nitrogen pressure test. Common leak points are flare fittings, service valves, the evaporator coil and rubbed line sets. After the repair, the system is evacuated and recharged by weight, and we tell you when replacement makes more sense than repair.
Updated September 2026
Why recharging without a repair fails
A system low on refrigerant cools poorly, freezes its coil and makes the compressor run hotter and longer, which shortens its life. Adding refrigerant brings performance back for a while, but the leak is still there. Repeated top-offs without a repair are the most expensive way to own an air conditioner.
We pressure-check the system, search the likely leak points, and confirm the leak before quoting. Some leaks, like a loose flare or a leaking Schrader core, are quick fixes. Others, like a corroded evaporator coil, mean replacing the coil.
How we find and fix leaks
Leak detection
We start with the places leaks most often happen: service valves, Schrader cores, flare fittings on ductless and some heat pump systems, brazed joints, and line sets where they pass through walls or rub against metal. An electronic detector finds most leaks. For smaller ones we use bubble solution on suspect joints. When the system is too low to test under pressure, we recover what is left, pressurize with dry nitrogen and listen, watch the gauge and soap the joints until the leak shows itself.
Coil and line-set repair
Once the leak is found, the fix depends on where it is. A leaking valve core or flare nut is replaced or remade in minutes. A pinhole at a brazed joint is recovered, brazed under nitrogen and retested. Corroded evaporator coils usually leak in many places at once, and patching one spot rarely lasts, so we quote a coil replacement. Line sets rubbed through by a bracket or pinched by a gutter are repaired and rerouted so the same spot does not fail again.
R-410A to A2L refrigerant decisions
New equipment sold in 2026 uses the newer A2L refrigerants, while most existing systems still run on R-410A, and older ones on R-22. R-410A can still be used for repairs, and fixing a leak on a newer R-410A system is usually the right call. On an older system with a failing coil, the math changes: a new coil, refrigerant and labor can approach the cost of a new matched system. We lay out both options with numbers so you can decide.
Signs of a refrigerant leak
How a leak repair runs
- 1
Measure the charge
Pressures and temperatures show how low the system is.
- 2
Search likely points
Valves, flares, joints and line set checked first.
- 3
Confirm the leak
Electronic detection, bubbles or nitrogen test.
- 4
Quote the fix
Repair or replacement priced side by side.
- 5
Repair
Joint brazed, fitting remade or coil replaced.
- 6
Pressure test and vacuum
System proven tight, moisture removed.
- 7
Charge by weight
Correct amount weighed in, performance verified.
The refrigerant shift behind Spokane repair decisions
Equipment pricing in 2026 reflects the move from R-410A to A2L refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32, and the federal 25C efficiency credit that used to soften a replacement ended after 2025. For Spokane homeowners with a leaking R-410A system, that means the repair versus replace decision is closer than it used to be, so we price both before any refrigerant goes into the system.
What is legal and safe to do yourself
| You can | Only a certified technician can | |
|---|---|---|
| Spot the signs | Watch for ice, weak cooling, oily fittings | Measure the charge |
| Keep the unit clear | Clear debris and snow | Open the refrigerant circuit |
| Refrigerant | Nothing | Recover, repair and recharge |
| Stop-leak products | Avoid them | Decide if a sealant is appropriate |
What affects the cost of a leak repair
Refrigerant leak questions
Why does my AC need refrigerant every year?
It has a leak. Refrigerant circulates in a closed loop and is not used up.
Are stop-leak additives a good idea?
Usually not. They can clog metering devices and make later repairs harder.
Can you still repair R-22 systems?
Yes, but R-22 is expensive and scarce, so a large leak on an R-22 system usually points to replacement.
How long does a leak repair take?
Simple fitting repairs take an hour or two. Coil replacements usually take most of a day.
Is refrigerant dangerous?
Handled correctly, no. It should only be handled by certified technicians with recovery equipment.
Other cooling services we handle
Emergency AC Repair
Answered 24/7, parts on the truck.
Emergency AC Repair detailsAC Tune-Up
Seasonal service, fewer breakdowns.
AC Tune-Up in SpokaneAC Installation
Sized, quoted and permitted.
How we handle ac installationStop paying for the same refrigerant twice.
Call for refrigerant leak repair in Spokane, WA.
